For example, a walking deer places its hind foot directly in the print of the front foot on the same side. When a deer runs, however, its hind feet land in front of the forefoot prints. If it is running very fast, its toes may separate more than usual as its feet hit the ground. The number of toes and the imprints left by toenails provide information about the kind of animal that made the tracks. Some animals with sharp claws, particularly members of the cat family, walk with their claws retracted, or pulled up away from the sole of the foot.
Many tree climbers have long claws that leave deep imprints.
Some animals, such as crows, muskrats, and weasels, drag their tails as they walk, leaving a thin trail between their footprints. The beaver's broad tail drags across the entire width of its footprints. Sometimes tracks tell a dramatic story of flight and pursuit, of capture or escape. The animal may have crouched in waiting for some prey, leaving a depression in the snow, mud, or grass. A predator's tracks may suddenly bunch up and then stretch out at the point where the animal spotted its prey and took off in pursuit.