Discover the Flyway from Home – Resources for Teachers, Parents & Students
Who Trekked Through Here?
Study the photo below. We do not always see the wildlife in the wetlands, but animals leave evidence behind that they are there. They can leave many types of signs – scat, tracks, shed skins, feathers, fur, and more! What sign did an animal leave behind in the photo below? What made those prints? Let’s figure it out!
1) How many toes does it have on each foot? Look carefully and note that prints are never perfect. We may see part of a print.
2) Can you tell which print is from the front foot and which is from the back foot?
3) Is there webbing on either of the feet (skin connecting the toes)?
4) What other questions might you ask to figure it out?
5) Lastly, what type of animal left these tracks?
Photo by YBF Staff
Feel free to use these resources to compare and contrast some tracks, using the resource pages (pdf files) below.
Tracks & Scat- Mallard & Great Blue Heron
Tracks & Scat- Bobcat & Beaver
Tracks & Scat- Raccoon & Muskrat
Tracks & Scat- Deer Mouse & Toads and Frogs
Answers:
1) Each footprint has five toes. The fifth toe in each print is not as distinguished or well seen as the other toes.
2) The smaller footprint to the right is the front foot and the larger print to the left is the back foot.
3) There is no webbing between the toes.
4) How far apart are the footprints or what is the walking stride?
Do we see any toenails in the prints?
How far apart are the toes?
What is the shape of the soles of the feet?
5) Those are raccoon footprints!