Mammal tracking – the art of identifying animals by the signs they leave behind in the forest

Mammal tracking, the art of identifying animals by the signs they leave behind, is a fascinating skill for anyone who enjoys exploring the outdoors. Here’s a breakdown to get you started:

Tracks and Signs:

• Tracks: Paw prints are the most recognizable sign, but look for details like size, number of toes, claw marks, and gait (walking pattern) to narrow down the culprit.
• Scat: Animal droppings can reveal a wealth of information about diet and species. Pay attention to size, shape, color, and any visible contents.
• Other Signs: Look for burrows, dens, feeding signs (gnawed bark, chewed fruit), and rubbing marks (on trees) to build a complete picture.

Getting Started:

1. Familiarize Yourself: Start by learning the common mammal tracks and signs in your area. There are many field guides and online resources available to help you identify tracks from different species.
2. Find the Right Spot: Look for areas with soft soil, mud, or snow where tracks are likely to be preserved. Animal trails and areas near water sources are good places to begin your search.
3. Observe the Details: Don’t just glance at a track and move on. Pay attention to the size, shape, depth, and any distinctive markings.
4. Consider the Context: Look for other clues in the area. Are there multiple sets of tracks? What type of habitat is it? This additional information can help you narrow down the possibilities.

Additional Tips:

• Track Casting: If you find a particularly interesting track, you can make a cast of it using plaster or dental molding compound. This can be a great way to preserve the track for future reference.
• Track Kits: There are commercially available track identification kits that can be helpful for beginners. These kits often include replicas of common mammal tracks and scat.
• Join a Tracking Workshop: Consider attending a workshop led by a naturalist or wildlife tracker. This can be a great way to learn from an expert and get hands-on experience.

Common Species:

• Lynx: Look for large, rounded paw prints with five toes and retractable claws. The front paws are typically larger than the hind paws. You might also find scratch marks on trees where they sharpen their claws.
• Lion: Similar to lynx tracks, but much larger. Lions have four toes on their hind paws and five on their front paws. Their scat is often large and segmented, containing fur and bone fragments from their prey.
• Wolf: Similar to dog tracks, but with more elongated toes and a straighter walking pattern. Wolf scat is usually larger than dog scat and can contain fur, bones, and small mammal remains.
• Fox: Red fox tracks are smaller than dog tracks, with four toes on each paw and visible claw marks. Their scat is long and slender, with a pointed end and often contains fur and small mammal remains.
• Hare: Look for paired prints with large hind feet and smaller front feet. Hares also leave hopping tracks where both hind feet land together.
• Bear (Black/Grizzly): Large, chunky tracks with five toes and non-retractable claws. Grizzly bear tracks are larger than black bear tracks. Their scat is large and can be full of berries, nuts, and fur or bone fragments depending on their diet.
• Badger: Broad, five-toed tracks with blunt claws. They may also leave claw marks near their dens. Badger scat is often two-toned, with a lighter colored, grainy interior due to their earthworm diet.
• Hedgehog: Tiny footprints with five toes. You might also find their droppings, which are small and pellet-shaped.

Less Common Species:

• Aurochs (Extinct): Since these are extinct animals, tracking them isn’t possible. However, based on their relation to cattle, their tracks would likely resemble large cow prints.
• Sheep: Similar to goat tracks, but with smaller, more pointed hooves. Sheep scat is pellet-shaped and clustered together.
• Deer: Slender, cloven-hooved tracks. White-tailed deer tracks will show two dewclaws on the front hooves, while mule deer lack these dewclaws. Deer scat is pellet-shaped and often found in piles.
• Horse: Large, single-toed hoof prints. Horseshoes will leave distinct marks if the horse is shod.

Non-Mammals:

• Hippopotamus (not a mammal): Large, four-toed hoof prints. They may also leave wallows (muddy depressions) where they spend time cooling off.
• Kangaroo (not a mammal): Not technically tracks, but kangaroos leave prints of their large feet and thick tail as they hop.
• Elephant (not a mammal): Large, round footprints with five toes and a thick pad. Elephants also leave behind dung piles that can be massive.
• Gecko (reptile): Geckos leave distinctive five-toed tracks with a fan-like pattern due to sticky pads on their feet.

Remember: These are general descriptions, and variations can exist within species. For accurate identification, it’s always recommended to consult a reliable field guide or track identification resource specific to your region. Mammal tracking takes practice and patience. Don’t get discouraged if you can’t identify every track you see right away. The more time you spend in the outdoors observing animal signs, the better you’ll become at reading the stories written in the dirt.

Here are some resources to help you get started on your mammal tracking journey:

• Field Guides: Look for regional field guides that focus on mammal tracks and signs in your area.
• Websites: The following websites offer a wealth of information on mammal tracking:
  • NatureTracking mammal tracks and signs: naturetracking.com
  • Movebank animal tracking data: movebank.org
• Apps: There are several smartphone apps available that can help you identify mammal tracks.