Tracking animal tracks is the skill of interpreting various clues, such as footprints, trails, and bite marks on plants, to find out what animals have recently been looking for food, hunting prey, or hiding in a particular area. Tracking animal tracks is a useful skill to master if you want to hunt or photograph animals, or if you have an interest in studying the living things that live around you. If you want to master how to track bears, birds, rabbits, deer, mice, foxes and other animals, read on from Step 1.
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Method 1 of 3: Identifying Animals
Step 1. Check the footprints
It's great to find footprints on the surface of the mud or snow, as these are sure signs that certain creatures have crossed your area. Each animal has a distinctive footprint shape, and if you know the specific characteristics, you can identify the type of animal that is near you. When observing footprints, pay attention to the following factors:
- Foot size. As soon as you see the footprints, you should be able to identify whether the animal is a fox, bear, cat, or mouse, based on the size of the paws.
- Number of toes. This is a basic characteristic that is very useful in revealing the identity of the owner of the footprints, because each type of animal has a different number of footprints. For example, animals in the cat family, such as bobcats and mountain lions, have four toes on each foot, while ferrets and skunks have five toes.
- Are fingernail imprints visible. The footprints of the cat family animals do not reveal hooves, but the footprints of wolves, raccoons and bears reveal long claws.
- Are opposite finger prints visible (e.g. thumb). Animals capable of climbing trees, such as raccoons and opossums, have opposite fingers that help them grip the tree as they climb.
- Are the front and rear footprints the same size?. Dogs, cats, foxes, bears and many other animals have exactly the same size fore and hind paws. If you see a trail that has a small front paw but a large hind paw, it's probably a rabbit or hare's footprint.
- Are the footprints from split-toed footprints?. The footprints of deer family animals (deer, moose, and elk) or other animals with split-toed claws look different from the footprints of animals with bare feet.
Step 2. Check the trajectory pattern
The next step is to observe the location of the footprints and identify the pattern. You can identify the way an animal walks by interpreting the pattern of its trajectory. Since each type of animal has a different gait, studying the pattern of the trajectory can help you to understand the type of trajectory of the animal you are observing. You can also use the trajectory pattern to estimate the direction the animal is going. The following are some common trajectory patterns:
- Diagonal trajectory pattern. Animals that walk in a diagonal direction, such as the cat family, the dog family, and the hoofed animal, raise their front and hind legs on opposite sides at the same time. Because of that, his footprints seemed to be crossing with slashes. Imagine the way a horse walks or jogs, and imagine the footprints.
- Fast track pattern (pacer). Broad-bodied animals such as bears, otters, opossums and raccoons, raise their front and hind legs from the same side at the same time.
- Bounce trajectory pattern (bounder). Weasel family animals (weasels, ferrets and badgers) walk by jumping, so that the front feet land first and the hind legs land after. The hind footprints are usually directly behind the front footprints.
- Jump track pattern (gallops). Rabbits and hares move by jumping, with the forelegs landing first, then the hind legs landing, then in front and to the sides of the forelegs. Because its hind legs are long, its four footprints look like the letter U.
- Jump or walk tread pattern. The pattern of a bird's trajectory tends to exhibit one of two types of gait: jumping or walking. Birds that jump will leave footprints that are parallel to each other. Birds that walk will leave footprints that are not parallel to each other, just like the pattern of human footprints. Note that jumping birds usually live and forage in trees or in the air, while walking birds usually stay closer to the ground and forage by hunting insects or other ground-dwelling animals.
Step 3. Look for other track signs to identify the animal
There are many other clues that can help you pinpoint the animal you're tracking. Study the footprints and track patterns carefully, and pay attention to other details such as the following:
- How are each of the footprints located? Do the hind footprints lie directly above the front footprints, so that it looks like just a set of footprints? If so, it's probably a cat or fox family animal. Are the hind and front footprints in different positions, so that all four footprints are visible? Animals of the dog family, weasel family, raccoon and bear have this way of walking.
- Tail trail. You may see visible lines along the track, indicating that the animal's tail is dragging across the ground. The tail trail that swept to the side indicated that it might be a reptile animal trail.
Step 4. Compare your findings with existing field guides
If you're serious about learning how to track animal tracks, visit your nearest library or bookstore and look for field guides on animals in your area. Record any clues you have collected about the trail and track pattern you are observing, and match them to the animal traits discussed in the field guide. As you learn more about the various families and individual species of animals, you will eventually be able to identify the animals without the help of a guide. As a quick reference, use this table to help you identify some of the common animals found crossing the backyard.
| Animal Family | Footprint Characteristics | Track Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Cats (house cat, bobcat, lynx, mountain lion) | Round tread with 4 toes; claw nails not visible | Diagonal pattern with exactly overlapping position |
| Dogs (dogs, foxes, wolves, coyotes) | Round footprint with 4 toes and visible claws | Diagonal pattern; the exact position of the footprints overlaps only on the fox |
| Weasel family (weasel, mink, skunk, otter, badger) | 5 toes with visible claws | Bouncing pattern (except in broad-bodied animals, such as skunks) |
| Raccoon, opossum and bear | 5 toes with visible claws; flat feet like humans; some types have opposite fingers for climbing | Quick pattern |
| Rodent family (rat, squirrel, rat, vole, squirrel, hedgehog, gopher, beaver) | 4 toes on forelegs and 5 toes on hind feet (except beavers, which have 5 toes on both fore and hind feet) | Bouncing and jumping pattern |
| Rabbit and hare | 4 toes on each sole; the hind legs are twice as big as the front legs | Jump pattern |
| Hoofed animals (deer, moose, elk) | Split nails on each foot | Diagonal pattern |
| Bird | 3 toes; birds of prey have strong back spurs; water birds have legs with membranes | Birds that forage in the air and on trees jump; birds that forage on the ground walk diagonally |
Method 2 of 3: Interpreting Hints on Animals
Step 1. Find the animal's fast track
These fast track trails are natural trails that can be found in forests, fields and other natural areas, which are used by various animals to move from one point to the next. These trails look like human hiking trails, but are usually narrower and less visible, unless you know the features you need to find.
- A running track is a path that connects the dots where animals find food, water and shelter. The running track is usually smaller than the regular track, and is usually only used by one or two animals.
- Find the animal bed. This is the place where the beast sleeps and rests. Maybe you need to find a nest or burrow with feathers or broken twigs and leaves.
- These places are usually not adjacent to areas that are heavily used by humans. Look for areas that border the forest with fields or fields, where land animals usually move to other places. These are the best points for animals to find food, water and shelter.
Step 2. Look for areas that appear to be disturbed
Animals always leave certain signs to show their existence. Look for spots that have signs of "nuisance" such as fallen bushes, crushed grass or weeds, eaten/bitten plants, etc. Each animal has a special sign that you need to interpret.
- Pay attention to the smells, too. Skunks and other animals in the weasel family usually leave a distinctive foul odor.
- Eventually, you'll recognize the different bite marks left by different types of animals. For example, deer pull grass from the ground, while the cat family chews the grass without pulling it.
- Look closely at the animal droppings you find. First of all, the droppings of each animal are different in terms of shape, size and color. Second, you can find out more about the animal by observing its droppings and discovering what it has eaten.
Step 3. Note the age of each clue
If you want to know where an animal is in real time, you need to pay attention to the age of the tracks and other signs. It is difficult to pinpoint the exact time of the animal's existence, but if you look closely you will be able to tell if the tracks and other clues were left on the same day or days or weeks earlier.
- Determine the age of the trail by pressing the ground level right next to it. Notice the difference. Newer tracks have clear edges around the shape, whereas traces that are a few days old have dull edges. Weather and climate also affect the durability of the trail display.
- Watch for scratched and bitten plants. If there is a fresh bite or chew mark, there may still be fluid from the animal's mouth in the mark. The remnants of previous food may have dried and browned at the edges of the bite mark.
Step 4. Don't expect to see the animal's path too clear
You're more likely to see faint traces of just a few toes, not full footprints, or even small scratches on tree trunks. Pay close attention to any clues, no matter how small, that indicate the presence of an animal. If there are some footprints, you'll be sure to see more nearby, and those other footprints will probably show the identity of the animal you're tracking more clearly.
Method 3 of 3: Following the Animal's Movement
Step 1. Follow in the early morning or late evening
Animal tracks are seen more clearly at these times, when natural light makes the shadows of the trails more visible. Keeping up when the sun is shining is much more difficult. In addition, many animals are more active in the morning and evening, rather than at noon.
- Staying close to the ground while observing the trajectory from the side can also help you to spot small clues that indicate the direction of the road or a specific point the animal is going.
- Start at the point where the view of the track is most visible. The easiest way to start tracking an animal is to start at a point where the track is clear and definite, such as fresh snow or muddy ground. From that point on, you can follow the shortcut's path to areas where there are no easily and clearly detectable clues.
Step 2. Use the tracking stick
The tracking wand will help you predict the direction of the animal's movement. This is a very useful tool when you are tracking an animal's track and then suddenly its path is out of sight. Make your own tracking stick with a thin walking stick wrapped around a few strands of rubber bands at the bottom end. If you see two tracks, you can measure them with the help of a rubber band to mark the distance between the two tracks. Find the missing trajectory by comparing the next rubber band to the last path you saw, and the next trajectory should be at a point within the length of the stick.
Step 3. Think like an animal
When you're tracking an animal, ask yourself why the animal is taking that direction or moving in that direction. Try to understand as much of the animal's purpose and intent as you can, so you can estimate the direction of its movement. It's useful to know a lot about the species of animal you're tracking, such as what it likes to eat, when it's active, etc.
- By closely observing the animal's path, you can study the pressure marks on each of the footprints. Watch for points where the animal stops, climbs a tree, or is born to run or fly. Try to understand the cause of his behavior.
- Look for the animal's trajectory patterns, to find out its daily habits. Most animals live by routine habits and traverse the same paths every day.
Step 4. Use your hands to help with the observation
Experienced trackers use their sense of touch as much as they use their sense of sight to find the direction of an animal's movement. Try tracking the tracks with your eyes closed, so you can better understand the animal. Feel for the animal's footprints and search the ground by hand, until you find more clues. Follow the signs until you understand how the animal moves across the forest or field.
Tips
- Wear clothes that will seem to blend in with nature, so you are less at risk of scaring the animals. In the fall, wear red, brown and orange. In winter, wear all white. In spring or summer, wear greens and browns.
- Wear the right shoes, so as not to make too much noise. Don't step on branches if you're in close proximity to animals, and always pay attention to your feet.
- Step by treading the heel first and then the soles of the feet and toes, as this will make your stride smoother.
- Don't make a sound. Yelling or even just chatting can trigger an animal to attack. Set your phone on vibrate mode.
- Seek information from appropriate sources. Ask the forest rangers.
- It is also recommended that you read a guidebook on animal tracks and droppings!
Warning
- If the animal you are tracking is wild and dangerous, keep your distance and don't do anything to frighten it. Use common sense to determine how close you can safely track the animal.
- Carry a GPS or map and compass with you whenever you enter the forest, to ensure that you don't get lost.
- Bring a cell phone too if there is good signal reception in your tracking area.
