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Animal Track Identification - Pictures and ID Chart

Image Credit:
Val_Iva/Shutterstock
Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

You don’t have to be deep in the forest to be an animal tracker. Animal footprints are often as close as your backyard or garden. Take a look at these animal track pictures and charts—showing footprints in both snow and mud. Now, you can identify which wild animal walked through your yard last night!

How to Track Animals and Identify Animal Tracks

Tracking is something that you learn best by doing. Get out there and look! Here are a few tips:

  • Animal tracks are easiest to find in mud, soft garden soil, sand, and snow.
  • Study the ground closely. Get down on your hands and knees. Note the size of the track and whether it shows claw marks. You may wish to make a sketch.
  • Track early in the morning or late in the day when shadows make prints easier to see.
  • Watch for animal droppings called scat. The scat will also help you track the animal. If the scat is dry all the way through, the tracks may have been left a while ago. On the other hand, if it’s still moist, it indicates recent activity. Not only can it provide valuable information about the timing of the animal’s presence, but it can also give clues about their diet. Scat can tell you if you’re tracking a vegetarian or a meat eater.
  • In case you lose the trail, don’t panic. Simply widen your search by scanning the area in a circular motion around the last track you found. This method increases your chances of picking up the trail again. Remember, patience is key when tracking animals.
  • The most important tip of all: don’t get lost! While tracking animals can be an exciting adventure, it’s crucial to prioritize your safety. Always be aware of your surroundings and avoid getting lost. Carry a map, compass, or GPS device to ensure you can find your way back. Additionally, inform someone about your tracking plans and estimated return time.

By following these tips and staying cautious, you can enhance your tracking skills and gain a deeper understanding of the wildlife around you. So, grab your gear, head out into nature, and embark on a thrilling animal tracking expedition.

Animal Track Pictures in the Winter Snow

For those living in snowy regions, winter can be a great time to observe and identify animal tracks. The white canvas of snow makes it easier to spot tracks and decipher their characteristics. Take a moment to examine these common animal tracks and familiarize yourself with their distinct patterns.

animal tracks in the snow chart

Animal Track Pictures in the Mud

Here are the same animal tracks as they might look in a muddy garden or backyard!

animal tracks in the mud

We love all these animals, but if they are destroying your garden, here are simple ways to deter common critters:
Deer, mice, moles, rabbits, raccoons, skunks, squirrels, voles, and woodchucks or groundhogs. 

Have you seen any animal tracks in your backyard lately? Tell us about it below!

Pets & Farm Animals

About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann

Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Catherine Boeckmann is the Executive Digital Editor of Almanac.com and a Purdue University Extension Master Gardener. She loves helping readers find practical, trustworthy answers—whether they’re figu...

Read more from Catherine Boeckmann

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Comments

<span>Sue</span> Wed, 12/13/2017 - 00:55
Found large paw prints in snow yesterday on back deck in south jersey, tried to research on line but can't seem to find a match. Have 2 clear pictures, is there a way to send them in for possible ID, thanks
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Wed, 12/13/2017 - 11:22

Hi, Sue. We received your photos via AlmanacEditors@Yankeepub.com and will see if we can help you to identify the animal who made them. Thank you!

 <span>Colleen</span> Sun, 12/10/2017 - 09:19
I've seen three strange creatures run past me in the night, hyena-like and tail-less, this was in eastern PA in the mid 90's. Not sure what their prints would be like, but they are out there!
<span>Colleen</span> Sun, 12/10/2017 - 09:20
western PA sorry, 30 minutes from Pittsburgh
<span>Carolyn Zeliff</span> Fri, 12/01/2017 - 18:32
I crawled under the house and found nothing but many tracks bigger than a nickel smaller than a quarter. They had tear shaped middle and six straight lines radiating but not attached to the tear. They are crawling along under the rooms in my modular home driving me nuts. I sprinkled diatomaceous earth on possible entries after stuffing easy to move crunched news paper. Any ideas what it/they may be and how I can rid myself.
<span>Cynthia</span> Tue, 03/13/2018 - 09:07
I'm thinking it might be opossums, but have no idea why there's a sixth toe. I know there's a large possum that has started visiting my yard. It snowed a little last night and there are now footprints near my back door where I sometimes put food for a stray cat (yeah, the possum is probably eating more than the cat now). The footprints look just like possum tracks, but with an extra (6th) toe. This web page is not allowing me to include a web URL, so just Google opossum tracks.
<span>Linda</span> Thu, 05/03/2018 - 16:59
I have one of the screen doors that just open freely-my dog can come and go. Last year the possum came inside and ate my dogs food and water. I used vinegar, garlic, cayenne and water and placed cotton balls soaked in the mixture strategically to help it find the way out. They cannot stand the smell. My house smelled like italian dressing for a while but it worked.
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Mon, 12/04/2017 - 14:14

Unfortunately, even with these details, it is hard to know what animal has taken up residence under you home. I don't know of any that have 6 toes, but it could be that the track is such that the back foot has landed in the same place as the front foot, as happens sometimes with certain animals and gaits. Animals about that size could be in the mink/weasel family, certain skunks, squirrel/gopher and other larger rodents. The options also depend on where you live. Do any claws show in the tracks? If they are causing damage to your home, you might want to call in an animal pest expert to help you identify it and discuss options. Control depends somewhat on the type of animal, and whether you can block any access areas once you have drawn the animals away from your home. You might check our animal pest pages, such as the following, for a few tips on repelling them:

https://www.almanac.com/pest/squirrels
https://www.almanac.com/pest/skunks

Hope this helps!

 <span>Sherry</span> Thu, 05/03/2018 - 21:16
There is a rare breed of cat that has 6 toes
<span>James Fortner</span> Tue, 08/29/2017 - 11:55
Hi, I found a single track and I believe it to be a cougar track, but I would like some confirmation. I live in central Kentucky, also I took a picture, so here's the dropbox link. https(colon)//www(dot)dropbox(dot)com/s/kux5mrm8kdius49/WP_20170829_001(dot)jpg?dl=0