How Do You Identify Animal Footprint Tracks?
When out in the wilderness, whether on vacation or just out for a short hike, it’s a good idea to know what animals are in the neighborhood. The best way to do this is to learn how to identify animal tracks. This is a valuable skill that can keep you safe from larger animals such as bears or mountain lions, or enhance your success in hunting other game. All animal tracks are different, and will have subtle features that once you learn will help you identify the animals. Measure the width and length of the track. This will give you an estimation of the animal’s size. A paw print with a width of 5 inches or greater indicates a very large cat, close to 200 pounds. A large depression formed by the heel pad indicates that the animal could be very large as well. Notice the toes. A mountain lion will have four toes of equal size, round shaped, arranged 2 inches in front of the heel pad, and spaced apart by an inch. Typically, claw marks won’t be visible on the toe-tips, unless the animal is h
