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Tracking
Quizzes
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Quiz #14 - Answer |
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The answer is GRAY WOLF.
One clue that I purposely left out of the quiz was that the location was
the Lamar Valley in Yellowstone National Park, a famous haven for
wolves, but that would’ve made the quiz too easy – HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
Absent that clue, though, here’s how to figure it out. |
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Photo M4
Looking at the bottom track in Photo M4, you can see this
animal has an oval-shaped foot, with 4 toes and large claws.
Looking at the next footprint, you can see that the toes are
symmetrical, and there is a distinct "X" that forms in the
track, in between the toes and the plantar pad. The "X" can
also be seen in the top track in Photo M6. That narrows it
down to the dog family. |
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The original trail was made by a pack of 6 animals. Notice how they
traveled in perfect single file, leaving a trail that looked like it was
made by only 2 or 3 animals. We were amazed when we discovered it
branched into 6 individual trails. Being an animal that travels in
packs, with extreme efficiency in foot placement, suggests either wolf
or coyote, but probably more strongly suggestive of wolf.
The stride of 20" could be either wolf or coyote. However, the
consistency of exactly 20" over hundreds of strides is more consistent
with wolf than coyote, as wolves are experts at traveling long distances
with great efficiency. The big trail width of 7½" is too wide for
coyote, especially in this region where coyotes tend to be on the small
side.
The real key is the foot size. If you draw a 4x5" rectangle on a piece
of paper, then sketch a dog track that takes up the full box, it should
make your eyes pop open. This is a giant among dogs, and a track of this
immense size could only be from a wolf.
The larger footprint, 4x5", is the wolf’s front foot. Dogs have larger
front feet than hind feet, which makes sense, as the front feet have to
support the weight of the shoulders and head.
These tracks were a magical experience for us, and we were extremely
grateful for the opportunity to witness the tracks of this majestic
animal.
We have been to Yellowstone many times, and while most ordinary folks
would think it crazy to visit Yellowstone during the harshness of
winter, we found it to be our favorite trip there. We chose the last
week of winter, when there is a reasonable amount of sunlight and chance
of fair weather, albeit cold & windy. The best way to see a wolf is to
bring binoculars, drive the plowed road through the Lamar Valley and
look for wolf biologists, who park on roadside turnouts and set up their
spotting scopes. Pull over alongside them, aim your binoculars in the
direction of their scope, and presto you should see a wolf!
Of course, Yellowstone with snow on the ground is a tracker’s paradise,
full of tracks of all kinds of tremendous beasts such as bison, elk,
cougar, coyote and bear. Yes, we found sign of grizzly bear activity
even before spring.
Hope you enjoyed this quiz and stay tuned for the next one! |
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Quiz
#14 - Question ...on to
Quiz #15 |
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(All photos on this page are Copyright © by Brian Booth
or Walter Muma unless indicated otherwise)
To send comments, questions or feedback about these quizzes,
email me |
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Tracking Quizzes |
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