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Whether you’re a hiker, nature enthusiast, or just want to know who’s been eating your tomatoes, there’s a helpful animal tracking guide for you.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac has a collection of animal track photos to help you figure out who your furry neighbors are.
Recognizing these tracks can be a matter of survival, especially if you live or hike in bear or wolf country. If you spend a lot of time outdoors, or if you have animals outdoors, this is a great guide to have on hand so you can identify any potential threats.
Tracks are Food
For the survivalist, IDing animal tracks serves one very important end. Its a means of finding and potentially trapping food. You will look for other sign, beyond tracks, but tracks are a great tell that animals are in the area.
Setting traps is about knowing the size and type of animal you are after. If you find scat, hair, and tracks you can pretty well discern if you are setting up a trap in an area that will have some success.
Tracks are Threats
Whether human or dangerous animal, tracks can pose potential threats. They can be the difference between where you settle for the night or whether you keep going. Depending on the situation human tracks might be the last thing you want to see.
That could also be true about an overwhelming bear sign. It’s pretty rare that humans get attacked by wild animals but its never a fun time when it does happen. Better to have the upper hand in a situation like this.
Tracking takes time and practice. Some tracks can be old. They are pressed into the mud but might be weeks old. Over time you will learn to understand things like the age of tracks.
