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Kinds of Paw Prints

If you spend any time near rivers, streams and creeks, you will likely find an array of paw prints. Similarly, many animals active in the winter will leave tracks in the snow. Even small animals, such as mice can leave tracks in mud, but you are more likely to find larger animal tracks because heavier animals leave deeper, longer lasting impressions.

Black Bear
- Black bears commonly roam North American forest land.
  
  Black bear tracks can be found throughout North America. They have five toes on each foot and claw marks may appear under the right conditions. The tracks feature a large, flat, generally round central pad mark that tapers a little at the heel. Both front and rear marks are 3 1/2 and 6 inches wide. Rear paw marks are between 5 1/4 and nearly 9 inches long, with the front paw marks being slightly smaller.
Bobcats
- Bobcats are formidable North American predators.
  
  Bobcats leave tracks with four toes arrayed at the front of a generally triangular impression. Cats retract their claws so they are unlikely to have any claw marks. The center pad is wider at the heel than where the toes meet and the whole track forms an wide oval shape 2 to 3 inches long, with the tracks of males being larger and more fully articulated due to their extra weight. If the toe marks spread out from the center pad, this indicates a female.
Mountain Lions
- Mountain lions are the largest felines in North America and leave tracks year round.
  
  Mountain lions, also known as cougars and pumas, have tracks similar to a bobcat, though they are considerably larger at 2 3/4 to 3 3/4 inches wide. The toe marks are generally oval and spread a little farther away from the heel pad than the bobcat's track. They also have a long gait of 15 to 30 inches that leaves alternating pairs of tracks that run in a slightly serpentine pattern.
Foxes
- Red foxes are active in winter and may leave snow tracks.
  
  Red and gray foxes leave very similar tracks. Both feature a generally elongated oval shape and are normally 1 3/4 to 2 3/4 inches long. Gray foxes have less fur between their toes, however, and leave more distinct tracks. You also may notice two pronounced claw marks corresponding to the center pair of toes in either animal's tracks. However, gray foxes can retract their claws and such marks may not necessarily accompany the mark.
Rabbits
- Rabbit tracks feature long rear footprints.
  
  Rabbit and hare tracks are easy to spot. Because they move by hopping on all fours, they leave tracks in groups of four. In the front of the mark, two elongated back feet marks spread to the outer edge of the track and two smaller round paw marks sit between the feet marks. This is because it pushes forward with all four limbs from a nearly seated position with the front arms pushing between the rear legs.

Animals & Science