Seeing prints not only tells you what the animal is, but also some of the habits of that animal. For example, you can tell whether the animal is younger or older by the size of prints. Animals that jump from place to place, ex. Squirrel, will have the two hind prints side by side. Animals that leave tracks that wander from place to place with no sense of direction, ex.
Some animals walk on their toes without letting their heels touch.
Animals, such as bears and skunks, walk with both their toes and heels touching because they do not feel threatened by many things that surround them in their habitats. Learning to identify animals tracks will add another educational experience to even the shortest walk into your backyard. There are many books and guides available that will aid you in pursuing this venue and hopefully will give you a new perspective on the natural world. This article may be reproduced for classroom use by students and educators but may not be reprinted otherwise without written consent from the Nature Center.