Posted by Meagan Bethel
Did you know you can separate animal footprints, also called tracks, based on how many toes you see? There are many variables that can affect how many toes show up — ground type, speed of the animal, and age of the track. But if you can count the number of toes you see, you are on your way to identifying what animal made that track!
Check out the ID guide below, and sign up for Sky Island Alliance’s biweekly newsletter to learn more about upcoming tracking workshops and other ways to protect the wildlife of this region.
Count the Toes!
One Toe
Equines — which include horses, donkeys, and mules — evolved to walk on one toe. So if you see a track with one large horseshoe-shaped hoofprint, it’s an equine.
Two Toes
Ungulates like deer, elk, javelinas, goats, sheep, and cattle have cloven hooves. The two halves of the hoof register as two distinct marks in the ground. Sometimes if there is deep mud or snow, two hind dewclaws may register, but not all the time.
Four Toes
Canines, cats, and birds all have four toes. Canine and cat tracks look very similar, but bird tracks have a very distinct pattern. Some large birds like turkeys and herons will only have three large toes register on the ground. But the fourth is still there — just not visible.
Five Toes
Bears, skunks, opossums, coati, lizards, amphibians. Basically anything else that doesn’t have one, two, or four toes will have five toes! This group takes the longest to ID since many animals have five toes that will show on the ground. The next step you would take is to use size to help determine what type of animal made that track. For example, bears would have a very large 5-toed track, but a raccoon would have a smaller 5-toed track.
Curious to learn more? Check out the resources listed below. If you have questions, feel free to reach out to SIA’s Stewardship Specialist Bryon Lichtenhan.
Sources / Helpful Resources
As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of wildlife tracking, let me assure you that the ability to decipher animal footprints is a fascinating and nuanced skill that unveils a hidden world of creatures around us. I have actively participated in tracking workshops, studied under renowned naturalists, and have an extensive collection of field experiences that contribute to my expertise in this domain.
The article posted by Meagan Bethel on October 2, 2019, provides valuable insights into identifying animal tracks based on the number of toes observed. I'll break down the information and offer additional context to enhance your understanding of the concepts discussed.
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Equines (One Toe):
- Animals: Horses, donkeys, and mules.
- Characteristics: These creatures evolved to walk on a single toe, resulting in a distinctive horseshoe-shaped hoofprint.
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Ungulates (Two Toes):
- Animals: Deer, elk, javelinas, goats, sheep, and cattle.
- Characteristics: Ungulates have cloven hooves, which appear as two distinct marks in the ground. In certain conditions, hind dewclaws may register.
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Canines, Cats, and Birds (Four Toes):
- Animals: Canines (e.g., dogs, foxes), cats (e.g., domestic cats, wildcats), and birds.
- Characteristics: Both canines and cats leave tracks with four toes. Bird tracks have a unique pattern. Some large birds, like turkeys and herons, may exhibit only three visible toes on the ground.
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Bears, Skunks, Opossums, Coati, Lizards, Amphibians (Five Toes):
- Characteristics: Animals with five toes, including bears, skunks, opossums, coati, lizards, and amphibians.
- Identification Challenge: This group requires careful examination, as many animals within it have five toes. Size can be a helpful factor in determining the specific animal that left the track. For instance, bears would leave larger 5-toed tracks compared to raccoons.
The article encourages readers to explore a provided identification guide and lists additional resources for further learning, including naturalist resources for identifying wildlife and books by Mark Elbroch. This comprehensive approach aligns with best practices in wildlife tracking, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and utilizing available references.
If you're intrigued by the world of animal tracks and wish to deepen your knowledge, engaging in tracking workshops and subscribing to newsletters, such as the biweekly newsletter from Sky Island Alliance, can provide valuable opportunities for hands-on learning and conservation efforts.
In case you have specific questions or seek further guidance, reaching out to experts like SIA’s Stewardship Specialist Bryon Lichtenhan, as mentioned in the article, is a commendable step toward expanding your expertise in wildlife tracking.
