Winter in the Arboretum is a time of ashen lands and frigid conditions, which can often discourage exploration. Learning to appreciate nature’s subtle beauty can make winter adventures that much more fruitful, and one of the best phenomena to witness at this time of year is animal tracks in snow. Invariably, animals see us before we see them, altering their behavior. When we view tracks, we are seeing their innate behavior, habits, and perceptions of the world. Additionally, we are much more likely to encounter tracks than animals themselves, as a single track in snow can last four days or more and one must only intersect it once to find it. 

When seeking tracks in the snow, look for other signs, such as dens, stray feathers, chewed twigs, and many others. Keep in mind that marks in snow can be created by other things, such as snow or meltwater falling off branches or structures, and the type of snow can dictate how well or long tracks will last. In general, look for habitat edges, such as the boundary between forest and prairie and in drier, newer snow.

Identifying exactly what animal might have left any given track can be challenging, but incorporating the shape of the feet, the pattern of the tracks, and the behavior of the animal can help make an informed determination. While species keying is difficult, there are a few general guidelines for our area. If the print has two large lobed toes that look a bit like two orange slices, then the tracks are likely from a deer. Prints with four toes and a pad often are from dogs, but can also be from coyotes or foxes, which are a bit smaller. Five toes often indicate skunks, raccoons, opossums, and squirrels. For more information, refer to the Mammal Tracks Guide on the Arboretum Website.