Table of Contents
Introduction vii
Observation viii
Patience viii
Awareness viii
Getting Started ix
1 Tracking-Science or Art? 1
When to Track 1
Where to Track 2
How to Track 4
What Else to Consider 5
2 Identifying Tracks 7
Definitions 7
Tracks with Pads 9
Hooved Tracks 12
Other Tracks 13
Scat 15
Key to Tracks by Size and Shape 16
3 Animal Tracks 19
Birds (Aves) 20
Northern Bobwhite Quail 20
Ruffed Grouse 22
Greater Roadrunner 24
Great Blue Heron 26
Common Raven 28
Rodents (Rodentia) 30
Deer Mouse 30
Eastern Chipmunk 32
Eastern Gray Squirrel 34
Ord Kangaroo Rat 36
Beaver 38
Woodchuck 40
Porcupine 42
Skunks (Mephitidae) 44
Striped Skunk 44
Western Spotted Skunk 46
Mustelids (Mustelidae) 48
Longtail Weasel 48
Badger 50
Wolverine 52
Rabbits and Hares (Leporidae) 54
Eastern Cottontail 54
Blacktail Jackrabbit 56
Marsupials (Didelphidae) 58
Virginia Opossum 58
Procyonids (Procyonidae) 60
Raccoon 60
Ringtail 62
Dogs (Canidae) 64
Coyote 64
Gray Wolf 66
Gray Fox 68
Cats (Felidae) 70
Bobcat 70
Canad Lynx 72
Mountain Lion 74
Hoofed Animals (Tayassuidae, Cervidae, Antilocapridae) 76
Javelina 76
White-Tailed Deer 78
Elk 80
Moose 82
Pronghorn 84
Bears (Ursidae) 86
Black Bear 86
4 Other Animal Signs 88
Dirt Mounds, Holes, and Runways 88
Scrapings, Scratching, Drillings, and Gnawings 91
5 Keeping Track of Your Tracks 94
Photography 94
Tracing 95
Plaster Casts 96
Soot Station 97
6 Conservation Projects 98
Appendix A Basic Tracking Kit 99
Appendix B Additional Resources 100
Books 100
Periodical 100
Schools and Classes 100
Other Resources 101
About the Authors 102
