Detective Tracking and

Species Identifying

By: Deborah Dietzel

On a trip to GA my fellow science teachers and I came across a whole array of animal tracks in the mud. We need your help in identifying

them by picking out certain characteristics are unique to the

tracks. Are you ready to begin

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Each animal species (group) leaves a different track behind.

For example the dog species leaves a footprint that is different than our human species in the sand on the beaches

Back

As scientists it is important to be be able to pick out characteristics that are unique to the track. We can use this same technique in identifying plants too.

Back

What are we looking for ?Take a close look at the track.

What kind of observations can you conclude?Can you rule out a particular species?How is one track different than the other one ?

Back

Here is what we came across. Let’s begin out investigation

Does the track show

Tail Marks

(medium)

Only Hand/Feet

tracks(challenge)

Hooves

(easy)

42How many

fingers/toes/sections can you distinguish?

3

Feral Pig

Try another trackFinished Identifying

Look Closer

Back

White Tail Deer

Try another trackFinished Identifying

Does the tail occur Alongside footprint tracks?

Alone without any other tracks alongside it

Diamondback Terrapin

Try another trackFinished Identifying

Diamondback Rattlesnake

Try another trackFinished Identifying

Are there claws/nails present?

Do you know what the scientific name for our thumbs are?

YES NO

Are the claw marks further apart on track

than the other?Yes No

Do the tracks display a thumb-like placement as

our handprints do?

YES No

Opossum

Try another trackFinished Identifying

Opposable Thumbs Human thumbs are called opposable thumbs because the thumb can be moved around to touch the other fingers, which gives us the ability to grasp things more easily, pick up small objects, and eating with one hand

Most primates (ape, chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans, and monkeys) have opposable thumbs or toes..

Humans can move their thumb farther across their

hand than any other primate. Back

How many toes/fingers does the track show?

3 4 5

Look Closer

Back

Striped Skunk

Try another trackFinished Identifying

How many toes/fingers does the track show?

4 53

Look Closer

Back

Nine-Banded Armadillo

Try another trackFinished Identifying

Common Raccoon

Try another trackFinished Identifying

How many toes/fingers does the track show?

2 3 4

Look Closer

Back

Measurements¾ inch diameter

6-8 inch length

Wilson’s Plover

Try another trackFinished Identifying

Tricolored Heron

Try another track

Finished Identifying

Thanks For Your Help

You are great Science Detectives!

Conclusion1. What kinds of observations were easy to

characterize? 2. Can you rule out a particular species?3. What are some differences between tracks?4. If you did not follow this plan how would you go

across trying to figure out what animal the track came from?

5. By just looking at the track, is there anything that could help you figure out what the animal was?

Let’s make some further observations about

HabitatFood selectionsEcosystem PlacementAdaptations