A Quick Look at How To Read Wildlife Tracks

A Quick Look at How To Read Wildlife Tracks

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Have you ever stepped outside and found some mysterious animal tracks around your home? At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, we believe that our customers can greatly benefit from knowing how to identify what could be living around their homes. These are some of the most common nuisance animals and what their tracks look like.

Raccoons

These mostly nocturnal critters are adept at adapting to their environment. They are omnivorous scavengers that can be fascinating to track. Their front and rear paw prints look surprisingly like human hands. Look for a clear set of five toes on each foot. Adults’ front paw prints are between 2 and 3 inches long and their rear pawprints are 3 to 4 inches long. If you see paw prints like this around your home, it may be time to call for raccoon removal. Raccoons often move in a diagonal track pattern. They frequently leave clear tracks in mud and snow. These little bandits are often found throughout southern Canada and the United States.

Squirrels

The most common squirrel in our services areas is the eastern gray squirrel. This creature inhabits the eastern United States and Canada. Their tracks are often hard to find because they are so light. You are more likely to notice them in snow. Their hind paw prints are around 2 ¼ inches in length and their front paw prints are about 1 ½ inches. They have four toes on their front paws and five on each rear paw. Squirrels move with a galloping gait. That means that their tracks will show the rear feet in front of the front feet. Their tracks are also very symmetrical.

Opossums

Like many other marsupials, the opossum has some unique physiology. They are one of the few animals with opposable thumbs. These are on their rear feet. You are most likely to see their tracks along waterways. Their tracks are similar to raccoons’, but they have a very distinct rear thumb. It almost looks like a strange extension of the paw pad. Opossums’ front paws are around 2 inches long and the rear feet are about 3 inches.

Red Foxes

Red foxes are diagonal walkers like dogs. This means that they move their rear right and front left foot at the same time and then move the other two feet. They have similar footprints in the rear and the front that are a lot like a dog’s paws. The rear paws are about 2 inches and the front ones are about 2 ½ inches. Foxes let out a yelping sound that is quite distinctive. It almost sounds like a high-pitched, human voice saying “help.”

Coyotes

These canines also have four-toed paws similar to those of dogs. They are about the size of a medium-sized dog breed. The front paws are around 2 ½ and the rear paws are about 2 ¼ inches. Differentiating between a dog’s and coyote’s tracks can be difficult. The trick is to look at the full trails. The tracks of the coyote are normally farther apart than a similar-sized dog. Additionally, they walk in a straight, purposeful line. Coyotes live throughout North America. They are a common nuisance pest in East Canada.

Get Wildlife Removal Help

Now that you know a little more about the tracks of common wildlife pests, you can better identify them if they are near your home. Whenever you think you may be dealing with a creature living too close to your house, call Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control. We are experienced in identifying, assessing and solving wildlife problems including all the above creatures. Whether you need squirrel, coyote, raccoon removal or any other type of animal control, we are here to help. Check for a Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control Durham. Contact us anytime to schedule an appointment.

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Bill Dowd

About the author: Bill Dowd is the Founder, President, and CEO of Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control. He established Skedaddle in 1989, recognizing the need for professional urban wildlife focusing on humane removal methods. Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control have since had over 200,000 wildlife removals and exclusions with environment-friendly, poison-free methods since day one. Bill obtained his B.PhEd., from Brock University while playing varsity hockey. Bill also played hockey for the Ottawa 67’s and was drafted by the then Stanley Cup Champion New York Islanders. Bill has grown Skedaddle to the largest urban wildlife control company in Canada which currently services over 75 municipalities in Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia. Bill has also been a guest speaker for many municipalities and educational institutions on urban wildlife.

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