Difference between revisions of "AY Honors/Animal Tracking/Answer Key"
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===Mammals=== | ===Mammals=== | ||
+ | ====Procyon lotor==== | ||
{{Animal_sign | {{Animal_sign | ||
| latin_name = Procyon lotor | | latin_name = Procyon lotor | ||
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| range = North America | | range = North America | ||
}} | }} | ||
+ | ====Lagomorpha==== | ||
{{Animal sign | {{Animal sign | ||
| latin_name = Lagomorpha | | latin_name = Lagomorpha | ||
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Note that the prints in the front (top of the diagram) are from the hind legs, while the forefeet leave the two aligned prints in the rear. As a rabbit hops, it throws its forelegs between its hind legs, thus leaving the print as shown. | Note that the prints in the front (top of the diagram) are from the hind legs, while the forefeet leave the two aligned prints in the rear. As a rabbit hops, it throws its forelegs between its hind legs, thus leaving the print as shown. | ||
}} | }} | ||
+ | ====Odocoileus virginianus==== | ||
{{Animal sign | {{Animal sign | ||
| latin_name = Odocoileus virginianus | | latin_name = Odocoileus virginianus | ||
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| range = Throughout most of the continental United States, southern Canada, Mexico, Central America and northern portions of South America as far south as Peru. | | range = Throughout most of the continental United States, southern Canada, Mexico, Central America and northern portions of South America as far south as Peru. | ||
}} | }} | ||
− | + | ====Odoc | |
+ | oileus hemionus==== | ||
{{Animal sign | {{Animal sign | ||
| latin_name =Odocoileus hemionus | | latin_name =Odocoileus hemionus | ||
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| description = | | description = | ||
}} | }} | ||
+ | ====Cervus canadensis==== | ||
{{Animal sign | {{Animal sign | ||
| latin_name =Cervus canadensis | | latin_name =Cervus canadensis | ||
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| description = | | description = | ||
}} | }} | ||
+ | ====Alces alces==== | ||
{{Animal sign | {{Animal sign | ||
| latin_name =Alces alces | | latin_name =Alces alces | ||
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| description =Moose (Alces alces) is the North American name for the largest extant species in the deer family. The same animal is called the Elk in Europe. Moose are distinguished by the palmate antlers of the males; other members of the family have antlers with a "twig-like" configuration. On average, an adult moose stands {{units|1.8–2.1 m|6–7 ft}} high at the shoulder. Males weigh {{units|380–535 kg|850–1180 pounds}} and females weigh {{units|270–360 kg|600–800 pounds}}. | | description =Moose (Alces alces) is the North American name for the largest extant species in the deer family. The same animal is called the Elk in Europe. Moose are distinguished by the palmate antlers of the males; other members of the family have antlers with a "twig-like" configuration. On average, an adult moose stands {{units|1.8–2.1 m|6–7 ft}} high at the shoulder. Males weigh {{units|380–535 kg|850–1180 pounds}} and females weigh {{units|270–360 kg|600–800 pounds}}. | ||
}} | }} | ||
+ | ====Ursus americanus==== | ||
{{Animal sign | {{Animal sign | ||
| latin_name =Ursus americanus | | latin_name =Ursus americanus | ||
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| description = | | description = | ||
}} | }} | ||
+ | ====Ursus arctos==== | ||
{{Animal sign | {{Animal sign | ||
| latin_name =Ursus arctos | | latin_name =Ursus arctos | ||
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| description = | | description = | ||
}} | }} | ||
+ | ====Castor canadensis==== | ||
{{Animal sign | {{Animal sign | ||
| latin_name =Castor canadensis | | latin_name =Castor canadensis | ||
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| description = | | description = | ||
}} | }} | ||
+ | ====Ondatra zibethicus==== | ||
{{Animal sign | {{Animal sign | ||
| latin_name =Ondatra zibethicus | | latin_name =Ondatra zibethicus | ||
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| description = | | description = | ||
}} | }} | ||
+ | ====Canis lupus familiaris==== | ||
{{Animal sign | {{Animal sign | ||
| latin_name =Canis lupus familiaris | | latin_name =Canis lupus familiaris | ||
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| description = | | description = | ||
}} | }} | ||
+ | ====Canis latrans==== | ||
{{Animal sign | {{Animal sign | ||
| latin_name =Canis latrans | | latin_name =Canis latrans | ||
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| description = | | description = | ||
}} | }} | ||
+ | ====Canis lupus==== | ||
{{Animal sign | {{Animal sign | ||
| latin_name =Canis lupus | | latin_name =Canis lupus | ||
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| description = | | description = | ||
}} | }} | ||
+ | ====Felis domesticus==== | ||
{{Animal sign | {{Animal sign | ||
| latin_name =Felis silvestris | | latin_name =Felis silvestris | ||
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| description =This is, of course, the standard house cat. Note that cats have retractable claws, and they retract them when they walk. You should not find any claw marks in a cat track. | | description =This is, of course, the standard house cat. Note that cats have retractable claws, and they retract them when they walk. You should not find any claw marks in a cat track. | ||
}} | }} | ||
+ | ====Lynx rufus==== | ||
{{Animal sign | {{Animal sign | ||
− | | latin_name =Lynx rufus | + | | latin_name =Lynx rufus |
| common_name = Bobcat/Lynx | | common_name = Bobcat/Lynx | ||
| animal_image =Rotluchs2.jpg | | animal_image =Rotluchs2.jpg | ||
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| description = | | description = | ||
}} | }} | ||
+ | ====Mus musculus==== | ||
{{Animal sign | {{Animal sign | ||
| latin_name =Mus musculus | | latin_name =Mus musculus | ||
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| description = | | description = | ||
}} | }} | ||
+ | ====Equus caballus==== | ||
{{Animal sign | {{Animal sign | ||
| latin_name =Equus caballus | | latin_name =Equus caballus | ||
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| description = | | description = | ||
}} | }} | ||
+ | ====Bos taurus==== | ||
{{Animal sign | {{Animal sign | ||
| latin_name =Bos taurus | | latin_name =Bos taurus | ||
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| description = | | description = | ||
}} | }} | ||
+ | ====Sus domestica==== | ||
{{Animal sign | {{Animal sign | ||
| latin_name =Sus domestica | | latin_name =Sus domestica | ||
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| description = | | description = | ||
}} | }} | ||
+ | ====Sciuridae==== | ||
{{Animal sign | {{Animal sign | ||
| latin_name =Sciuridae | | latin_name =Sciuridae | ||
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| description = | | description = | ||
}} | }} | ||
+ | ====Puma concolor==== | ||
{{Animal sign | {{Animal sign | ||
| latin_name =Puma concolor | | latin_name =Puma concolor | ||
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| description = | | description = | ||
}} | }} | ||
+ | ====Didelphis virginiana==== | ||
{{Animal sign | {{Animal sign | ||
| latin_name =Didelphis virginiana | | latin_name =Didelphis virginiana | ||
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| description = | | description = | ||
}} | }} | ||
+ | ====Erethizon dorsatum==== | ||
{{Animal sign | {{Animal sign | ||
| latin_name =Erethizon dorsatum | | latin_name =Erethizon dorsatum | ||
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Porcupines are mainly active at night; on summer days, they often rest in trees. During the summer, they eat twigs, roots, stems, berries and other vegetation. In the winter, they mainly eat conifer needles and tree bark. They do not hibernate but sleep a lot and stay close to their dens in winter. The strength of the porcupine's defense has given it the ability to live a solitary life, unlike many herbivores. | Porcupines are mainly active at night; on summer days, they often rest in trees. During the summer, they eat twigs, roots, stems, berries and other vegetation. In the winter, they mainly eat conifer needles and tree bark. They do not hibernate but sleep a lot and stay close to their dens in winter. The strength of the porcupine's defense has given it the ability to live a solitary life, unlike many herbivores. | ||
}} | }} | ||
+ | ====Mephitis mephitis==== | ||
{{Animal sign | {{Animal sign | ||
| latin_name =Mephitis mephitis | | latin_name =Mephitis mephitis | ||
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| description =The Striped Skunk has a black body with a white stripe along each side of its body; the two stripes join into a broader white area at the nape. Its forehead has a narrow white stripe. About the size of a house cat, it weighs 6 to 14 pounds (2.7-6.3 kg) with a body length (excluding the tail) of 13 to 18 inches (33-46 cm). The bushy tail is 7 to 10 inches long (18-25 cm), and sometimes has a white tip. The presence of a Striped Skunk is often first made apparent by its odor. It has well-developed anal scent glands (characteristic of all skunks) that can emit a highly unpleasant odor when the skunk feels threatened by another animal. The skunk is primarily nocturnal. Beginning its search for food shortly after sundown, it feeds on mice, eggs, carrion, insects, grubs, and berries. At sunrise, it retires to its den, which may be in a ground burrow, or beneath a building, boulder, or rock pile. While the male dens by itself, several females may live together. The Striped Skunk does not hibernate. | | description =The Striped Skunk has a black body with a white stripe along each side of its body; the two stripes join into a broader white area at the nape. Its forehead has a narrow white stripe. About the size of a house cat, it weighs 6 to 14 pounds (2.7-6.3 kg) with a body length (excluding the tail) of 13 to 18 inches (33-46 cm). The bushy tail is 7 to 10 inches long (18-25 cm), and sometimes has a white tip. The presence of a Striped Skunk is often first made apparent by its odor. It has well-developed anal scent glands (characteristic of all skunks) that can emit a highly unpleasant odor when the skunk feels threatened by another animal. The skunk is primarily nocturnal. Beginning its search for food shortly after sundown, it feeds on mice, eggs, carrion, insects, grubs, and berries. At sunrise, it retires to its den, which may be in a ground burrow, or beneath a building, boulder, or rock pile. While the male dens by itself, several females may live together. The Striped Skunk does not hibernate. | ||
}} | }} | ||
+ | ====Mustela vison==== | ||
{{Animal sign | {{Animal sign | ||
| latin_name =Mustela vison | | latin_name =Mustela vison | ||
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| description =Their long slim body is covered in glossy, thick dark brown or black fur with a white patch under the chin. They have short legs with partially webbed feet, which make them excellent swimmers. They can be found in wooded areas and fields near streams and lakes. They dig burrows in river banks or take over dens abandoned by other animals. They feed on small mammals, fish, crayfish, frogs and other amphibians, also sometimes eating birds, insects and earthworms. These animals are mainly active at night and do not hibernate. | | description =Their long slim body is covered in glossy, thick dark brown or black fur with a white patch under the chin. They have short legs with partially webbed feet, which make them excellent swimmers. They can be found in wooded areas and fields near streams and lakes. They dig burrows in river banks or take over dens abandoned by other animals. They feed on small mammals, fish, crayfish, frogs and other amphibians, also sometimes eating birds, insects and earthworms. These animals are mainly active at night and do not hibernate. | ||
}} | }} | ||
+ | ==== Fisher==== | ||
{{Animal sign | {{Animal sign | ||
| latin_name = | | latin_name = | ||
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| description = | | description = | ||
}} | }} | ||
+ | ====Lutrinae==== | ||
{{Animal sign | {{Animal sign | ||
| latin_name = Lutrinae | | latin_name = Lutrinae | ||
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All otters have long, slim, streamlined bodies of extraordinary grace and flexibility, and short limbs; in most cases they have webbed paws. Most have sharp claws to grasp prey, but the short-clawed otter of southern Asia has only vestigial claws, and two closely-related species of African otter have no claws at all: these species live in the often muddy rivers of Africa and Asia and locate their prey by touch. | All otters have long, slim, streamlined bodies of extraordinary grace and flexibility, and short limbs; in most cases they have webbed paws. Most have sharp claws to grasp prey, but the short-clawed otter of southern Asia has only vestigial claws, and two closely-related species of African otter have no claws at all: these species live in the often muddy rivers of Africa and Asia and locate their prey by touch. | ||
}} | }} | ||
+ | ====Mustela==== | ||
{{Animal sign | {{Animal sign | ||
| latin_name = Mustela | | latin_name = Mustela | ||
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| description = Weasels vary in length from 15 to 35 centimeters (6 to 14 inches), and usually have a light brown upper coat, white belly and black fur at the tip of the tail; in many species, populations living at high latitudes moult to a white coat with black fur at the tip of the tail in winter. They have long slender bodies, which enable them to follow their prey into burrows. Their tails are typically almost as long as the rest of their bodies. As is typical of small carnivores, weasels have a reputation for cleverness and guile. They also have tails that can be any where from 22-33cm long and they use these to defend the food they get and to claim territory from other weasels. | | description = Weasels vary in length from 15 to 35 centimeters (6 to 14 inches), and usually have a light brown upper coat, white belly and black fur at the tip of the tail; in many species, populations living at high latitudes moult to a white coat with black fur at the tip of the tail in winter. They have long slender bodies, which enable them to follow their prey into burrows. Their tails are typically almost as long as the rest of their bodies. As is typical of small carnivores, weasels have a reputation for cleverness and guile. They also have tails that can be any where from 22-33cm long and they use these to defend the food they get and to claim territory from other weasels. | ||
}} | }} | ||
+ | ====Taxidiinae==== | ||
{{Animal sign | {{Animal sign | ||
| latin_name = Taxidiinae | | latin_name = Taxidiinae | ||
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| description = The stocky body is flattened covered with shaggy grizzled fur, and the legs are short and powerful with long sharp claws on the front paws and shorter claws on the back paws. The fur on the back and flanks of the animal ranges from grayish to reddish. The ventrum is a buffy color. The triangular face of the badger is distinct. The throat and chin are whitish, and the face has black patches. A white dorsal stripe extends back over the head from the nose. In northern populations, this stripe ends near the shoulders. In southern populations, however, it continues over the back to the rump. Badgers measure 52 to 87 cm from head to tail, with the tail making up only 10 to 16 cm of this length and generally weigh between 4 and 12 kg. Males are significantly larger than females and animals from northern populations are larger than those from southern populations. | | description = The stocky body is flattened covered with shaggy grizzled fur, and the legs are short and powerful with long sharp claws on the front paws and shorter claws on the back paws. The fur on the back and flanks of the animal ranges from grayish to reddish. The ventrum is a buffy color. The triangular face of the badger is distinct. The throat and chin are whitish, and the face has black patches. A white dorsal stripe extends back over the head from the nose. In northern populations, this stripe ends near the shoulders. In southern populations, however, it continues over the back to the rump. Badgers measure 52 to 87 cm from head to tail, with the tail making up only 10 to 16 cm of this length and generally weigh between 4 and 12 kg. Males are significantly larger than females and animals from northern populations are larger than those from southern populations. | ||
}} | }} | ||
+ | ====Gulo gulo==== | ||
{{Animal sign | {{Animal sign | ||
| latin_name = Gulo gulo | | latin_name = Gulo gulo |
Revision as of 20:08, 26 April 2008
1. Know ten kinds of tracks, including two kinds of bird tracks. Make plaster casts of five.
To do this, you will need to bring dry plaster of Paris, water, a mixing container, a mixing stick (a paint stirrer will do nicely), and something to make rings out of. Plaster of Paris can be bought either dry, or ready-mixed. It is probably better to get the dry type so that you can mix it on site. It will need to be soupy to make a detailed cast. When you find a suitable track, place a ring around it. The ring can be made from almost anything - a large tin can with the bottom cut out, a paper cup with the bottom removed, a strip of poster board 4 cm wide and taped together at the ends to form a circle, etc. Make sure the ring is larger than the track, and note that some tracks are 15 cm long or more. What a pity it would be to find a huge bear or moose track and not have a large enough ring to cast it! You can also make the cast without a ring, but it is much better if you use one. Once the ring is in place, mix just enough plaster and water to fill the ring up to 2.5 cm deep. It sets quickly, so you will not want to mix up too much at a time. Mix water with the dry plaster and stir it until it is smooth. It should be about the same consistency as pancake batter or apple sauce. Pour it into the ring. Once this is done, you can set out in search of more tracks, or you can wait until the plaster sets. If you set out for more, be sure to come back to collect your cast.
One good way to complete this requirement is by heading to a river right after flooding has receded. There will likely be plenty of easily identifiable kinds of tracks, and the smooth mud makes for excellent casting.
Snow is difficult to cast because it is not nearly as firm as mud. Furthermore, plaster generates heat when it is mixed, and this can easily melt the snow surrounding the track.
Mammals
Procyon lotor
Raccoon (Procyon lotor)
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
Lagomorpha
Rabbit (Lagomorpha)
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
Odocoileus virginianus
White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
====Odoc oileus hemionus====
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
Cervus canadensis
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
Alces alces
Moose (Alces alces)
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
Ursus americanus
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
Ursus arctos
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
Castor canadensis
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
Ondatra zibethicus
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
Canis lupus familiaris
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
Canis latrans
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
Canis lupus
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
Felis domesticus
Cat (Felis silvestris)
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
Lynx rufus
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
Mus musculus
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
Equus caballus
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
Bos taurus
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
Sus domestica
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
Sciuridae
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
Puma concolor
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
Didelphis virginiana
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
Erethizon dorsatum
Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum)
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
Mephitis mephitis
Skunk (Mephitis mephitis)
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
Mustela vison
Mink (Mustela vison)
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
Fisher
Fisher (')
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
Lutrinae
Otter (Lutrinae)
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
Mustela
Weasel (Mustela)
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
Taxidiinae
Badger (Taxidiinae)
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
Gulo gulo
Wolverine (Gulo gulo)
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
Reptiles and Amphibians
Snake (')
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
Frogs and Toads (Anura)
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
Turtle (')
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
Birds
Crow (')
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
Robin (')
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
Pigeon (')
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
Sparrow (')
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
Heron (')
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
Herring Gull (')
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
Sand Piper (')
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
Canada Goose (')
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
Duck (')
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
Grouse (')
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
Turkey (')
Usage:
- {{Animal sign
- | all the parameters ...
- }}
Example: Template loop detected: Template:Animal sign </noinclude>
2. Name at least three things that tracks tell us.
Animal tracks can tell us many things about the animal that made them, including:
- The species
- Its direction of travel
- How fast it was going
- How large it was
- How long ago the animal made the tracks.
- Sometimes tracks can tell the gender of the animal
- Sometimes tracks can tell us the animal's age.
3. Trail some animal tracks, identify the animal if possible, and tell whether it was running or walking. Measure between the tracks of one animal when running and walking.
4. Maintain a tracking station for at least three days by doing the following:
a. Select a flat open space in some quiet place near your camp or home.
Do not select a space too close to your campsite, because you do not want to attract them into your camp. Animals need water, so a really good place to select is around a source of fresh water. River banks, stream banks, near ponds, and the shores of lakes are all good places to find animal tracks. However, the place you select must be quiet. Avoid places that are frequented by people.
b. Smooth out ground, mud, sand, etc.
There may already be some tracks in the area, but you are interested in fresh tracks. Smoothing the ground erases them and allows for fresh prints.
c. Place food out for wildlife.
Another option is to use a salt or mineral block. The type of food you place will affect the type of animals you attract, as will the season. If there is plenty of food available without your "bait," the animals will be suspicious and stay away. However, if they are hungry (as in winter) or if the food you select is irresistable, they will be more likely to come. Sliced apples out of season will attract many types of animals.
d. Check each day for tracks and replenish food when necessary.
When camping, remember to store your food in a place where the animals cannot get to it. Seal it tightly and place it out of the reach of raccoons and bears (both of which are very clever at getting food). Under no circumstances should you store food in a tent - especially in one that people will be sleeping in. A tent poses no barrier to a hungry skunk.
The morning is the best time to check for tracks. Most forest creatures are nocturnal, so in the morning the tracks will be freshest. Also, human visitors are less likely to trample the tracks before you get a chance to observe and if necessary, cast them.
5. Name two animals for each tracking group.
- a. Flatfoots
- Flatfoots include bears, raccoons, porcupines, and skunks.
- b. Toe walkers
- Toe walkers include dogs, cats, lynxes, wolves, and coyotes.
- c. Toenail walkers
- Toenail walkers include deer, antelope, moose, pigs, cattle, and horses. Basically, any hoofed animal is a toe walker.
- d. Bounders or long hindleggers
- These include rabbits, squirrels, mice, and rats.
6. Name four signs of the presence of mammals.
Animals leave many indications that they were present. These are collectively called sign. Sign includes:
- Tracks
- Not only footprints, but marks left on the ground by the tail or by other body parts. Beavers and rats both leave tail marks on the ground.
- Scat
- Scat is another word for animal droppings or manure.
- Fur and antlers
- Animals may leave bits of fur behind if it gets caught in a tree's bark, or in thorns. In the fall deer drop antlers.
- Cuttings
- Cuttings are things such as acorn shells which have been nibbled on. Deer and squirrel often leave them behind.
- Scratches on trees
- Bears, members of the cat family, and other predators will sharpen their claws on tree trunks. Sometimes they will do this to mark their territory.
- Scent Posts
- Many animals mark their territory by urinating on trees or other prominent items. If you are walking through the woods and smell a strong musky odor, look around — you may find other sign.
- Carcasses
- Once a predator has had its fill of a kill, it will leave the carcass. Some animals will guard their carcasses though so they can feed on them again after they've digested some of the previous meal, so be careful if you find one.
7. Distinguish between rabbit and squirrel tracks, and between dog and cat family tracks.
Rabbit vs Squirrel Tracks
Dog vs Cat Tracks
Unlike dogs, cats can retract their claws, and they do so when walking. Therefore, you should expect to find claw marks present in dog tracks, but absent in cat tracks. In general dogs tracks are larger than cat tracks, but you cannot rely on this alone, as there are some very small dogs and some very large cats.
8. Name two groups of animals (mammals, birds, insects, etc.) that leave tracks or scent trails that another of their kind can follow.
Some species of mammal and some species of insect leave scent trails to communicate with others of their species. Canines, cats, deer, moose, and others will mark their territory with urine.
Ants lay down pheromone trails that lead to food sources. If you have ever seen a column of ants scurrying about in single file, you can be sure they are following a scent trail.
9. Name two birds for each of the following type of tracks:
a. Hopping
Most perching bird (passerines) hop, though many can both hop and walk (such as ravens, blackbirds, and robins). Jays, sparrows, cardinals, titmice, nuthatches, finches, and many others hop.
b. Walking
Walking birds include crows, most waterfowl and shore birds (sandpipers, egrets, herons, etc), and most game birds (wild turkeys, geese, ducks, grouse, doves, pigeons, etc).
10. Besides tracks, give two other signs of the presence of birds.
- Feathers
- Droppings
- Nests
- Birdsongs (if you can hear them, they must be present!)
- Eggs or eggshells
- Pellets: Birds of prey regurgitate the indigestible portions of their meals. Birds have no teeth so they rip their prey apart with their beaks and swallow large chunks at a time. Then they digest the soft portions (such as meat) leaving the hair and bones behind to collect into pellets. They cough up these pellets which can be found by the astute observer.
11. Name two birds identified by their flying patterns.
12. In your area, observe tracks or trail of one or more of the following:
a. Toad or frog
b. Snake
c. Turtle
d. Mollusk
e. Earthworm
f. Mole
References
- The Complete Tracker by Len McDougall, 1997. ISBN 156731-326-4