Animal Tracking
While on a hike, you do not have to see an animal with your eyes to know it is present. Tracking animal footprints in the snow, sand or mud is a popular way of detecting what type of animal is in the forest. Match the tracks below with the animal and recognize the differences between each. Ask yourself questions on why each track is different: why does one have webbed feet, why does one have big claws?
Animal tracks are not the only signs of animals. The sound animals make, like bird calls or wolf howling, is one means of being aware of nature on a hike. Others signs include skat, animal kills, marks on trees/bushes, and smells (like from a skunk).
You should carefully look at the track pattern, observing the footprint arrangement as well as the distance between paces. Here are some examples of these differences. Pace spacing can change if the animal is walking, running or jumping. Another sign to watch out for are if other animal tracks are nearby. This can tell you if the animal is traveling in a pack or herd, or if it is stalking prey.
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