MAMMAL TRACKS
Brazos Valley Chapter
Texas Master Naturalist
Why learn tracks?
Joy of observation
Education- Project Wild
Inventories, e.g. BioBlitz
◦ Protected areas
◦ Tax incentives for private lands habitat
Problem-solving
◦ Forensics
◦ Animal damage control
Who learns tracks?
Trappers, park rangers, guides
scientists
Cybertracker International
International Society of Professional
Trackers
Texas Master Naturalists
How to learn tracks
Count the toes! Mental flash cards
Understand the natural history of the
species: feet are tools for…
◦ Locomotion: swimming, running
◦ Feeding: digging, catching, swatting, opening
Make casts, photos, outlines
Test yourself with slides
Dirt-time: track, track, more track
Compare your answers with others
Pretest
Take each plaster cast at your table
◦ “Inside the critter’s skin”…make tracks
◦ number the tracks in the sand
In your field notebook
◦ write a list of numbers
◦ name the species for each numbered track
Compare your answers
◦ % agreement
◦ Discuss similarities and differences
How many toes? 2-3
Elbroch 2003
Track 1
Elbroch 2003
Armadillo
Bill Parker
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/learning/junior_naturalists/armadillo.phtml
http://www.flickr.com/photos/slider5/265312994/
Track 2
Elbroch 2003
Deer
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/kids/wild_things/wildlife/whitetailed_deer.phtml
Track 3
Elbroch 2003
Feral pig
http://www.nsrl.ttu.edu/tmot1/sus_scro.htm
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/nuisance/feral_hogs/
How many toes? 4 : 4 toenails
Elbroch 2003
How many toes? 4 : 4 no nails
Elbroch 2003
Track 4
Elbroch 2003
Red Fox
http://www.nsrl.ttu.edu/tmot1/vulpvulp.htm
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/nonpwdpubs/introducing_mammals/red_foxes/
Track 5
Elbroch 2003
Bobcat
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/learning/junior_naturalists/cats.phtml
Track 6
Elbroch 2003
Coyote
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/learning/junior_naturalists/coyote.phtml
How many toes? 4 : 5
Elbroch 2003
How many toes? 4 : 5
Elbroch 2003
Track 7
Elbroch 2003
Beaver
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/nonpwdpubs/introducing_mammals/beavers/
http://www.nsrl.ttu.edu/tmot1/castcana.htm
Track 8
Elbroch 2003
Nutria
Tom Darden
http://www.nsrl.ttu.edu/tmot1/myoccoyp.htm
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_bk_k0700_0517.pdf
http://www.mdinvasivesp.org/species/vertebrates/Nutria.html
Track 9
Elbroch 2003
Raccoon
http://www.conservapedia.com/Raccoon
http://www.nsrl.ttu.edu/tmot1/procloto.htm
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/species/raccoon/
Track 10
Elbroch 2003
Cottontail Rabbit
http://www.nsrl.ttu.edu/tmot1/sylvflor.htm
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/nonpwdpubs/introducing_mammals/rabbit
s/
Track 11
Elbroch 2003
Fox Squirrel
http://www.nsrl.ttu.edu/tmot1/sciunige.htm
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/nonpwdpubs/introducing_mammals/squirrels/
How many toes? 5 : 5
Elbroch 2003
Track 12
Elbroch 2003
River Otter
Jennifer Loring
http://www.nsrl.ttu.edu/tmot1/lutrcana.htm
Track 13
Elbroch 2003
Opossum
http://www.nsrl.ttu.edu/tmot1/didevirg.htm
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/kids/about_texas/regions/pineywoods/big_kids/pineywoods_wildlife.phtml
Track 14
Elbroch 2003
Striped Skunk
http://www.nsrl.ttu.edu/tmot1/mephmeph.htm
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/nonpwdpubs/introducing_mammals/skunks/
Post-test
Move to a new track station
◦ Examine the tracks in the sand
◦ Consult your notes & flashcards
In your field notebook
◦ write a list of numbers
◦ name the species for each numbered track
Compare your answers
◦ % agreement with the expert for this station
◦ Discuss how to expand your tracking skills
ENJOY!!!
Elbroch 2003
Sources
Elbroch, Mark. 2003. Mammal Tracks and Sign: A guide
to North American Species. Stackpole Books:
Mechanicsburg, PA
Levine, Lynn, and Michell, Martha. 2001. Mammal Tracks
: Life-size tracking guide. Heartwood Press: East
Dummerston,VT
BLOG: What is it? http://blogs.tamu.edu/thicketatbi/
Davis, William B. and Schmidly, David J. The Mammals of
Texas. Online version. http://www.nsrl.ttu.edu/tmot1/
Nature Tracking for training in Texas