To read the information contained in tracks, you need to know how the pressure of the animal's foot leaves deformities inside and around the track. Flats, pitches, rolls and depressions are all found in the bottoms of tracks. A flat is used as a reference point for determining depressions, since a flat is any flat and featureless part of the track. Depressions include any area in the bottom of the track that is deeper than the average depth. Pitch refers to the lengthwise angle of the track, while roll refers to the lateral angle.
Pitch shows how an animal's weight was distributed.
A roll is often seen when an animal makes a turn. A cliff is a vertical edge where the soil is compressed at a right angle. This usually occurs at the sides of the feet and indicates the animal was traveling in a straight line. Overhangs are most common with deer and other hoofed animals. However, they may also show up with other animals.