Identifying Animal Tracks

Identify animal tracks

Every kind of animal makes a different kind of track. If they walk on something soft (like mud, snow or dirt), they will leave a track behind. Horses and deer have hoofs and therefore leave a big mark. Bears, coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions, raccoons and squirrels have paws.

How To Read Animal Tracks

In addition to tracks, the bears in Yosemite will also claw the trees. If you keep your eyes open you will see bear claws on trees. Bears cause more property damage in Yosemite National Park than any of the other animals. Identifying animal tracks of bears is easy since they leave such a big mark.

There are mountain lions in Yosemite National Park, but they are rarely seen. Their tracks are usually found in the higher elevations of Yosemite and not in the valley. They feed mostly on deer and fear people.

The odds are in your favor that you will be able to identify animal tracks ofdeer in Yosemite and you will see the deer itself! The only human that was ever killed in Yosemite National Park was by a Mule Deer. Their front feet are powerful. So do not get to close the them, especially in spring when they are mating. You will usually find the mule deer eating in the meadows in the early mornings or the late evenings here in Yosemite.

Coyote tracks are not hard to find if you are hiking or down by the edge of the river. They can be seen quite often, running across the road or standing in a meadow here in Yosemite. Keep your eyes peeled for them. If you don't see them, the odds are in your favor that you will at least see these animal tracks.

Your very fortunate if you spot one of these bobcats in Yosemite. Recently they have been spotted in the early mornings at Lower Yosemite Falls and Bridalveil Falls. If you look closely around these areas you might spot the bobcats animal tracks in the soft dirt or muddy areas.

Raccoons are commonly seen in and around Yosemite National Park. Their animal tracks are seen in muddy areas and in soft dirt. They are usually seen when they are looking for food around the eating areas in Yosemite.

Squirrel tracks are easy to find and identify here in Yosemite! They will be at your campsite, your cabin, up on top of waterfalls...just about everywhere.

It is a challenge identifying animal tracks that are tiny. Such as those that come from the deer mouse. But if you are keeping your eyes open for animal tracks, you will be amazed at the animals that are here in Yosemite.

Every animal has a different set of tracks. Just like we humans have different fingerprints. When identifying animal tracks of the gray fox, notice how close together the tracks are. This is an animal that likes to be alone. It does not run in a pack. They are about the size of a medium dog.

Chipmunks have a beautiful stripe down the middle of their back and tail. They are much smaller than a squirrel. You will see lots of them in Yosemite, especially when hiking!

A nocturnal animal that comes out at night. They like to eat mice but the bobcat and the owl likes to eat him! If you are trying to identify animal tracks of the ringtail, look around the caves and piles of rocks here in Yosemite! The ringtail sleeps in the caves of the rocks during the day.

The gopher has very poor eye sight but excellent hearing. They are easily found in and around rocks, caves and up on top of Yosemite, like Tuolumne Meadows. Look for their tracks...they are around!

Return From Identifying Animal Tracks To The Bear Page


Return From Identifying Animal Tracks To The Home Page