Animal Tracks

Whatever you do in the outdoors, wildlife is all around. Today, we'll show you how to identify those animals...even if you never see them! Some animal footprints are easy to identify. These raccoon tracks look like small bare hands. A track where the thumb sticks out at a right angle, and doesn't have a claw, is the back foot of a possum. Probably the most common track is the split hoof of a whitetail deer. Pigs, sheep and goats leave similar tracks...but a heart-shape with pointed toes means it's deer sign. City or country, coyotes are everywhere. But how do you tell a coyote from a medium-sized dog? Follow the trail. Coyote tracks will overlap. He's walking in his own footprints, with a space 18 to 22 inches between them. A coyote-sized dog leaves only 6 to 8 inches. Obviously, it helps to carry a small tape measure...and a good field guide never hurts.

http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/wildlife-sightings/animal-autographs

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• animal
• tracks
• ID
• wildlife
• footprints
• missouri
• conservation
• outdoors
• nature
• imprint

[OutdoorsmanByDesign]

Good tips!