Animal Tracks: Identify 24 Common North American Footprints

Why animal tracks are worth reading

Most wild animals avoid us, so we rarely see them. Their tracks, however, stay behind for hours or even days. A muddy creek bank can show which animal left it last night, and even which way it went.

That is why I love animal tracks. The only wild bear I have ever seen was an American black bear. It crossed a trail in front of me while I hiked near Vancouver. Most days, though, the footprints are all you get, and they still turn a quiet walk into a detective story.

I built this identifier around 24 common animal tracks from Canada and the United States. They range from deer and coyotes to raccoons, beavers and herons. Each print is a clean drawing rather than a photo. Real tracks are messy, so the drawings keep only the features trackers rely on: toes, claws, pads and size. After a few rounds, you start to identify tracks quickly and learn the tracks animal by animal.

How to identify animal tracks in four steps

Each step removes a big group of suspects. The toe count alone narrows 24 animals to a handful. After that, size and trail pattern usually finish the job. Still, finding one print is only the first step, because a whole trail tells you much more.

Two toes, three toes, four toes or five toes?

Toe count is the fastest way into any track. Before you measure anything, count the toes on the clearest print and compare the front and hind feet.

Small toes can fool you, though. A bear’s inner toe and a beaver’s fifth front toe often fail to print. So check several front tracks and hind tracks before you decide.

The main track families

Most of the 24 tracks in this tool fall into eight groups. The porcupine is the odd one out, so look for its pebbly sole instead. Tap any card to open that animal in the identifier above.

Track patterns: how animals walk, waddle, bound and hop

Trackers sort walking patterns into four groups. Once you know them, you can often name the family even when no single print is clear.

Animals also change gait. For example, a coyote trotting in a neat line may break into a gallop to chase prey. Similarly, bounding otters often slide on their bellies in snow, then bound again.

Dog tracks vs feline tracks

This is the classic tracking question, and two quick checks answer it. First, look for claws. Then look at the overall shape.

Common look-alikes and how to split them

Some pairs fool almost everyone. Use the compare buttons on each card in the tool, or check this table.

How to measure and photograph a track

First, pick the right track: the clearest print in the trail, not the biggest. Then record these four things.

• Length: measure from the back of the heel pad to the front of the longest toe. I leave claws out, but some field guides include them, so note which way you measured.
• Width: measure across the widest part of the print.
• Stride: measure from the front of one print to the front of the next print made by the same foot. Some guides measure from one print to the next instead, so check which one a guide uses.
• Photos: shoot straight down, with a ruler or coin beside the print. Afterwards, take a second photo of the whole trail.

Where and when to find animal tracks

Soft mud, damp soil and sand hold the clearest prints. Creek banks, lake shores and the edges of puddles after rain are great places to find prints. In winter, a thin layer of fresh, wet snow over firm ground shows the crispest detail. Deep, dry snow, by contrast, only leaves vague holes.

Timing matters as well. Many mammals move at dusk and at night, so early morning is the best time to look. Low morning light also helps, because shadows fill each toe and pad. If you want to know who walks around after dark, my guide to nocturnal animals is a good next read.

Finally, observe the surrounding environment for other clues. Scat, chewed sticks, rubbed bark, feathers and fur caught on fences all add to the story. Together, tracks and signs tell you what the animal left behind, where it fed and sometimes what chased it.

How scientists use animal tracks today

Tracking is not only a fun hobby. Wildlife biologists still use tracks to learn which wild animals live in an area. Tracks also show how animals use their habitat and how predators and prey interact. Modern tools, in addition, fill the gaps that footprints leave.

Because every method has blind spots, researchers often combine them. For example, a snow survey can find a lynx trail. A camera trap then confirms the animal, while a collar maps its home range. Collars and tags are also kept light. Many researchers aim for under about 5% of the animal’s body weight.

Be a responsible tracker

Good trackers leave no trace. Stay on paths where you can, and never follow fresh bear or cougar tracks. Keep dogs on a lead, because they disturb wildlife and mix their prints with other tracks. Also, give dens, nests and burrows plenty of space. Above all, observe from a distance. The best track tells you an animal is nearby, and you never bother it.

Animal tracks FAQ

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References