Animal Tracks Identification

From barn residents to their neighbours, see who is around.

via almanac.com

Tracks are as close as your backyard—or a critter nibbling in your garden!. Tracking is something that you learn by doing. Here are a few tips:

• Animal tracks are easiest to find in mud, soft garden soil, sand, and snow.
• Study the ground closely. Get down on your hands and knees. Note the size of the track and whether it shows claw marks. You may wish to make a sketch.
• Track early in the morning or late in the day when shadows make prints easier to see.
• Watch for animal droppings called scat. The scat will also help you track the animal. If it's dry all the way through, the tracks may have been left a while ago. Scat can also tell you if you're tracking a vegetarian or a meat eater.