Frequently Asked Questions About Animal Tracks

As you begin your tracking journey, questions will naturally arise. Here are answers to some of the most common ones.

How can I tell male from female tracks?

For most species, it is nearly impossible to determine the sex of an animal from a single track. While males are often larger than females, there is significant overlap in size between a large female and a small male. Other clues, such as the presence of very small tracks alongside larger ones (suggesting a mother with young), can provide hints, but you cannot be certain from a print alone.

What animal makes tracks that look like a perfectly straight line?

This is the work of a “direct register” walker. These are typically efficient predators that place their hind feet precisely where their front feet just lifted. This conserves energy and reduces noise. The two premier examples are the fox and the bobcat. When you see a trail that looks like a single, narrow line of prints, you are likely following one of these stealthy hunters.

I found a huge track. Could it be a bear or a mountain lion?

Finding a very large track can be thrilling, but it also warrants caution. Bear tracks are huge, measuring 5-7 inches long for a black bear, and show five distinct toes in an arc around a wide heel pad. Mountain lion (cougar) tracks are also large, up to 4 inches wide, but like all felines, they show four toes and no claw marks. If you find tracks from a large predator in an area where people live or recreate, do not attempt to follow them. Your best course of action is to leave the area and report the sighting to your state’s wildlife agency or local park rangers. They can assess any potential public safety concerns.

When is the best time to look for animal tracks?

The best conditions for tracking are on a substrate that takes a clear impression. The hour after a light rain has softened the ground is perfect for finding prints in mud. For snow, the best time is the morning after a fresh, light snowfall of one to three inches. This provides a clean slate where every new track stands out in sharp relief.