Tracking-The Print

THE INDIVIDUAL PRINT

Important Features to Look For:

Overall Shape and Symmetry Is the track round? rectangular?
How many toe prints do you see? Do the hind feet have the same number of toes as the fore feet?
Can you see claw marks? Are the claw marks near to the toe pads or are they far out in front?
What shape is the pad? Triangle? Chevron? Are there multiple parts to it?
Is there a heel mark? If so, do you see it on front and hind prints or just on the hind foot prints?
How else do the front and hind feet differ?
How big is the track? Remember that a track in snow track gets bigger as it melts.

These are raccoon tracks. The fore foot is very flexible. Raccoons often leave heel prints in the tracks left by their hind feet.

Notice that this coyote track is longer than wide. That is typical for canine tracks. There are four toes and the claws usually show.

Like all cats, the mountain lion print is basically round. Claw marks are rare. Cats and foxes often "register", meaning their hind feet go into the track left by the fore foot. Therefore, all you find are hind foot prints.

Elk and deer walk on just two toes. The other two have receded to " dew claws". You may see dew claw prints when a deer or elk has run across very soft terrain.

Birds and dinosaurs are easy to recognize because they have only three forward-pointing toes. Many birds have a fourth, backward-pointing toe. Notice the toe drag in this trail.

Important Features to Look For: Overall Shape and Symmetry Is the track round? rectangular? How many toe prints do you see? Do the hind feet have the same number of toes as the fore feet? Can you see claw marks? Are the claw marks near to the toe pads or are they far out in front? What shape is the pad? Triangle? Chevron? Are there multiple parts to it? Is there a heel mark? If so, do you see it on front and hind prints or just on the hind foot prints? How else do the front and hind feet differ? How big is the track? Remember that a track in snow track gets bigger as it melts.
	These are raccoon tracks. The fore foot is very flexible. Raccoons often leave heel prints in the tracks left by their hind feet.
	Notice that this coyote track is longer than wide. That is typical for canine tracks. There are four toes and the claws usually show.
	Like all cats, the mountain lion print is basically round. Claw marks are rare. Cats and foxes often "register", meaning their hind feet go into the track left by the fore foot. Therefore, all you find are hind foot prints.
	Elk and deer walk on just two toes. The other two have receded to " dew claws". You may see dew claw prints when a deer or elk has run across very soft terrain.
	Birds and dinosaurs are easy to recognize because they have only three forward-pointing toes. Many birds have a fourth, backward-pointing toe. Notice the toe drag in this trail.