![]() The nice thing about this is that the trail widths of our most common small rodents fall into a simple size progression. Next, measure the distance between the two lines. Below you’ll see the same photo with lines delimiting the trail widths. To measure the trail width of a bounding animal, imagine or mark lines parallel to the direction of travel which touch the outermost parts of the two rear tracks. In this case it’s easy to know which is which, but for less obvious differences, such as red squirrel versus gray squirrel, measurement of the overall width of the pattern, known as the trail width, can really help. The tracks in the photo below, a white-footed mouse bounding toward the upper right and a gray squirrel bounding toward the lower right, are similar arrangements but are vastly different in size. So how often can we be sure which small rodent made the tracks we’re seeing? Quite often, it turns out, because we have two additional diagnostic tools: trail width and habitual movement patterns. It’s a real difference, but snow conditions are rarely perfect enough to see that kind of detail. If your reaction to that is, ‘you’ve got to be kidding!’ you’re not far off base. The middle pads of the flying squirrel are closer together and form a gentle crescent. Compare the middle pads in the right rear tracks (the farthest to the right in each photo): in the chipmunk they’re well separated and form a sharp curve. The photo below came from the bounding trail of a southern flying squirrel, an animal similar to a chipmunk in body size (although lighter in weight). This is what I call the rodent foot plan, and once you absorb it you’ll recognize it in other small rodents, including squirrels, chipmunks, mice, and voles.īut there are some variations which–if available–can be important in pinpointing an identification. The left front and rear tracks are partly superimposed, but the similarity to the tracks in the first photo is plain to see. Here’s a chipmunk group of four, with the direction of travel this time toward the top. The heel pads of the front tracks (like the heel of your hand) show in both right and left front prints, and the heel area of the right rear track (analogous to the heel of your foot) is a smooth elongation behind the middle pads. Behind the toe impressions, the middle pads of both front and rear feet (analogous to the bumps over the knuckle joints in your palm and the ball of your foot) appear as clear indentations. The four-toed front tracks are set more narrowly and staggered, and their four toes are slightly splayed. The five-toed rear tracks are nearly even with each other and set widely, their three middle toes parallel and their inner and outer toes diverging. The photo below shows a set of prints made by a red squirrel bounding from left to right. Most of these little creatures are active in winter, so it’s a perfect time to get a handle on their distinguishing features. ![]() The small ones dominate, both in abundance and in their potential to confuse. They range in size from the tiny woodland vole (weighing an ounce or less) to the beaver (50 pounds or more). Rodents are considered one of the most successful groups of mammals, so it’s not surprising that the northeast hosts many different kinds.
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