Keeping Track
The sandy soil of our high desert land provides the perfect “track trap” for collecting impressions of the footprints of wild animals. Because the area is so untamed, tracks and signs are often the only indication we have of those species with whom we share our home.
The ability to read animal tracks is not only good for identifying the animals that have passed by but can also help to tell the stories of those animals. Details such as size and health of the animal as well as whether it is an individual or multiple members of a group can all be deduced from the clues of trails once you know how to interpret them.
In Wyoming, knowing how to tell the difference between grizzly and black bear tracks or cougar and bobcat tracks, along with the ability to understand how long ago the animal went by, are matters of survival in the backcountry.
Besides footprints of animals, it is good to be aware of other signs, such as rubbing, scraping and gnawing. These, along with knowing how to identify animal scat, can help confirm the species of the animal.
There are several good books that explain the basics of identifying animal tracks. It is just one more way for humans to become aware of the wildlife that surrounds us, even if we are not lucky enough to see the animal itself.
To hear more about tracking and about the trails I have followed in my yard, be sure to listen to my podcast on the subject by clicking the button below, or by downloading the latest episode from Apple Podcasts or Spotify.