This guide initially displays common tracks of all shapes. Use the selectors below to view particular shapes, include rare species, or search by name.
Anything that moves over the ground leaves some sort of marking of its passage. In particular, footprints left behind in soil, snow, mud, or other ground surfaces provide a means of recognizing different species. The illustrations and characteristics listed below highlight key features that can be used to identify the tracks of many of the animals in the area.
Track References
Alderness Wilderness College
Animal Track ID [PDF]
Beartracker
Deerdance
Elbroch, Mark, 2003 Mammal Tracks and Signs: A Guide to North American Species
eNature
Gaits
Lowery, James, 2013 Tracker’s Field Guide. Falcon Guides
Nature Tracking
North Woods Guides
Outdoor Action
Subject Area Experts (all guides)
Steve Cary (butterflies)
Beth Cortright (insects)
Terry Foxx (invasive plants)
Leslie Hansen (mammals)
Richard Hansen (fish, mammals)
Dorothy Hoard (butterflies, trees)
Chick Keller (flowers, herbarium)
Shari Kelley (geology)
Kirt Kempter (geology)
Garth Tietjen (reptiles)
David Yeamans (birds)
Web Development and Content Management
Pat Bacha
Jennifer Macke
Graham Mark
Akkana Peck
Contact
Please contact us for local nature questions and sightings. We welcome comments, corrections, and additions to our guides.
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 Drawn based upon Beartracker image  Photo: David J. Stang  Photo: Kim A. Cabrera |  Frog, TreeFrog, and Toad(Rana, Hyla, Pseudacris, Bufo, Sepa spp.)Family: Ranidae, Bufonidae, Scaph (True Frogs and Treefrogs, Toads, Spadefoot Toads) Gait: bound, hop Form: no claws; long toes Front Foot: 4 toes; 0.5 in (1.3 cm) - 1.3 in (3.3 cm) Hind Foot: 5 toes; 0.8 in (2.0 cm) - 1.5 in (3.8 cm) Front feet face in. All of the hind toes but one face in. Aquatic frogs have webbing on the hind feet that extends almost all the way to the tip of the toes. Treefrogs have distinctive disc-shaped toes on all four feet which are used to aid in climbing. Toads are like aquatic frogs without the webbing. Scat is brown to black and tapered on the ends and much longer than wide. Reptile and Amphibian Guide - Aquatic Frog Reptile and Amphibian Guide - Treefrog Reptile and Amphibian Guide - Toad |
