Track categories#
Tracks and other animal evidence help us discover the mammals that inhabit the Massachusetts landscape.
Tracking terms#
- Track = an impression or print left by an animal
- Trail = a group of tracks showing movement and activity of animal
- Stride = the distance measured between tracks or sets of tracks
- Straddle = the distance measured as the width of a set of tracks
Types of tracks based on number of toes#
| Front foot | Hind foot | Family | Trail type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | Deer | perfect stepper |
| 4 (no claws) | 4 (no claws) | Cat | perfect stepper |
| 4 | 4 | Dog | perfect stepper |
| 4 | 4 | Rabbit | galloper |
| 4 | 5 | Rodent | galloper |
| exception | Woodchuck | pacer | |
| 5 | 5 | Weasel | bounder |
| exception | Skunk | pacer | |
| 5 | 5 | Opossum | pacer |
| 5 | 5 | Raccoon | pacer |
Types of trails#
- Galloper = movement when an animal’s larger hind feet land in front of smaller forefeet
- Perfect stepper = movement when an animal places hind foot into the track of the front foot
- Bounders = movement when an animal places feet in diagonal pairs
- Pacer = movement when an animal places feet in parallel pairs
Helpful tracking tools#
- Tape measure
- Notebook and pencil
- Hand lens
- Reliable tracking guide
Stokes, D. & L. 1986. Stokes Guide to Animal Tracking and Behavior. Little, Brown and Company. Boston.
Rezendes, P. 1999. Tracking & The Art Of Seeing, How to Read Animal Tracks and Sign. HarperCollins, New York.