Animal Tracks

In today's post, Intern Samantha Tank discusses how to identify animal tracks found in Michigan!

Animal Tracks

Have you ever wondered what kinds of animals call Michigan home? Most animals try very hard not to be seen by humans, so just because you haven’t seen a deer or fox, it doesn’t mean it isn’t there. Tracks are an easy and fun way to identify the kinds of animals that are walking around Fenner. Any time that you can make a footprint in the ground, so can an animal. So, come to Fenner and see how many animal tracks you are able to identify!  

Snow and mud make track identification a breeze. You can use this handy tool and some of the pictures below to help you identify the tracks that you find!

Deer tracks

Here are some deer tracks that I stumbled across this winter at Fenner. Many deer make their home within Fenner and their tracks can be found all over the property. If you want a chance at seeing a deer in person, then the best times to come are dusk and dawn. If you walk quietly along the paths, there is a good chance that a deer or two will also be walking around.

Squirrel tracks

Squirrels do not make themselves hidden to humans – you can find them climbing trees and looking for food year round! Here are some squirrel tracks that I found on the front path leading up to Fenner’s visitor center. 

Raccoon tracks

Raccoons are opportunists and will take a meal wherever they can find it – even if that means digging around in trash cans. They are well adapted to living near and around people and do a good job of sneaking around at night as not to be spotted. In winter they can be found sleeping in tree hallows or rock crevices. Raccoon tracks will be easy to find even in your own yard!

Turkey tracks

Turkeys can be found in every state except Alaska! Turkeys that live in Michigan stay year round and must fight the ice and snow to look for food. Their tracks are larger than most other bird tracks that you will find. Fenner has many wild turkeys living within it – come and see if you can spot any tracks or live turkeys walking around today!

Now it’s your turn! Use your investigatory skills and try to identify this animal track. The tracks are about the size of a quarter and lead to a small burrow. What could it be…?