What Animal Mammal Made This Track?

What Animal Made This Track?

Let's learn to recognize animals through their tracks, signs, and droppings. Note, I often refer to the animal's droppings as scat, and rarely as poop.

We will start by identifying common Mammals whose names begin with the letter B. As in The American Beaver. Click each picture to enlarge it for a better visual.

Track Measurements

Front track measures in inches, on average, 2 7/8" to 3 7/8" long and 3 1/2" wide.

Hind track measures in inches on average, 5" to 7"  long by 3 1/4"  to 5 1/4" wide.

Tracking Beaver

If you want to play along, please leave your answers in the comment section below.

1. What type of habitat would you visit to find beaver tracks?
2. How many toes or digits do beavers have? Four or Five?
3. Can you guess by looking at my photographs?
4. What is the beaver doing in the video?
5. What do beavers eat?

International Beaver Day.

Are Beavers important to conservation? Read more about International Beaver Day and the McKenzie River Trust's effort at Finn Rock, OR.

Animal Tracking is fun!

There is no right or wrong if you mistake a Racoon track for a Beaver. That's part of learning to track wildlife.

Please search for your answers online or in your favorite tracking book or guide. Better yet, maybe you live close to their habitat. In this case, you can look for Beaver sign there.

Even better, take an animal tracking class.

Black Bear Ursus americanus

Let's learn how to recognize the presence of the North American Black Bear by Sign. Knowing if a Bear is nearby is helpful information to have.

Often Bears live in our neighborhoods, backyards, and even our favorite camping spots, though we rarely have the opportunity to see them.

How to Track Black Bear by Sign, Scat, and Tracks

Adult Black Bear Track Measurements

Front track measures in inches, on average, to 3 7/8" long and 3 1/2" wide.

Hind track measures in inches on average, 5" to 7"  long by 3 1/4"  to 5 1/4" wide.

Bear Tracking Questions

If you want to play along, please leave your answers in the comment section below.

1. How many toes or digits do bears have? Four or Five?
2. What do black bears eat?
3. What type of habitat would you visit to find bear tracks?
4. Can you guess by looking at my photographs?
5. What is the bear doing in the video?

Bobcat (Lynx rufus)

How to Track Bobcat by Sign, Scat, and Tracks

You can recognize and see the presence of the North American Bobcat by learning the art and science of animal tracking.

Click on each picture below to enlarge.

Adult Bobcat Track Measurements

Front and hind track measurement combined in inches, on average, 1 5/8" to 2 1/2" long by 1 1/2" to 2 5/8" wide.

Bobcat Tracking Questions

If you want to play along, please leave your answers in the comment section below.

1. What type of habitat would you visit to find bobcat tracks?
2. How many toes or digits do bobcats have? Four or Five?
3. Can you guess by looking at my photographs?
4. What is the bobcat doing in the video?
5. What do bobcats eat?

Western Coyote (Canus latrans)

How to Track Coyote by Sign, Scat, and Tracks

You can recognize and see the presence of the Western Coyote by learning the art and science of animal tracking.

Click on each picture below to enlarge.

Adult Western Coyote Track Measurements

Often the outside claws of a Coyote Track don't show.

Front and hind track measurement in inches, on average, 2 1/2" long by 2 1/4" to 2 5/8" wide.

All photographs and videos on Lifesongadventures.com depicting animal tracks, signs, and scat, are all taken by Mark J. Wienert, Wilderness Survival and Nature Awareness instructor. Unless otherwise noted.