A Guide to Identifying Animal Tracks for Kids + Printables
Inside: You can also mention why learning about animal tracks is important for kids, such as identifying different species and appreciating nature.
Exploring the outdoors is a great time for kids to discover the hidden stories left behind by wild animals. Whether in fresh snow, soft mud, or dry dirt, tracks left from animals tell us which creatures have passed by and how they move through their habitat. This guide will help kids (and adults!) learn how to identify animal tracks and use printable resources to become expert animal trackers!
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A Guide to Identifying Animal Tracks for Kids + Printables
Animal tracking is a fun way to connect with nature, sharpen observation skills, and better understand the wildlife in your area. By looking at the size of the track, the number of toes, and the overall track pattern, kids can learn to recognize different animals and even figure out what they were doing when they made the tracks.
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What to Look for in Animal Tracks
When identifying animal prints, there are several key features to examine:
- Track pattern – The way a set of animal tracks is arranged in a straight line or staggered can provide clues about how the animal moves.
- Number of toes – Count how many toes are visible on the track. Some animals, like deer, have two, while others, like raccoons, have five.
- Front feet vs. hind feet – The print of the front foot may look different from the rear foot. In some animals, like rabbits, the hind foot is much larger than the front paws.
- Track size – The size of the track can help identify large animals versus smaller ones.
- Claw marks – Some tracks show claw marks, which can help differentiate between wild animals like dogs (claws visible) and cats (claws retracted).
Common Animal Tracks Kids Can Find
1. Mammal Tracks
Mammals leave behind a variety of paw prints, depending on their size and movement.
- Deer Tracks – Two oval-shaped toes that form a pointed print. These are often found in wilderness areas.
- Raccoon Tracks – Look similar to tiny human hands with five fingers. Their front tracks are usually smaller than their hind foot prints.
- Rabbit Tracks – Rabbits leave a distinct pattern with their hind foot landing ahead of their front feet in a hopping motion.
- Bear Tracks – Large, rounded animal footprints with five toes and visible claw marks. Perfect tracks can often be seen in soft mud or deep snow.
2. Bird Tracks
Bird tracks are unique because they usually show three forward-facing toes and one backward-facing toe. Some birds, like crows, leave straight line tracks as they walk. Ducks and other water birds have webbed prints, making them easy to identify.
How to Track Animals in Different Conditions
- In dry dirt or sand – Tracks in these conditions may be harder to see, but looking at the track size and spacing can help identify the animal.
- In fresh snow – This is the best time to find perfect tracks before they melt or get covered.
- In soft mud – Tracks in mud can reveal fine details like front toes and claw marks.
Our Printable Activities
Do your kids love animals and spending time outdoors? Our printables are the perfect activity for them! This printable features tracks from common North American wildlife, including bears, deer, raccoons, and more.
By using this printable, kids can learn to identify animal tracks and understand animal behavior in their own backyard.
There are currently 3 sets of animal track activities available individually, but you can also save a couple of bucks when you buy the bundle.
Clip Cards
Enjoy these Clip Cards for learning more about the tracks you see outside.
What do you get?
- 1 poster with labeled animal tracks
- 15 cards to match the track to the animal
- 15 cards to match the animal to the tracks
Flash Cards
Enjoy these Animal Flash Cards with your young learners.
What do you get?
- 2 pages to write the animal names
- 15 flashcards with names of animals
- 15 flashcards to match the name to the animal
Coloring Pages, Posters, and More!
Enjoy these Animal Tracks – Identify the Tracks with your young learners. These are great for learning more about the animal tracks you see when you are out for a nature walk.
What do you get?
- 2 coloring pages
- 3 label the tracks pages
- 2 pages for drawing a line from the animal to their tracks
- and more!
How to Use the Printable
This set of animal track printables can be used for your younger learners and for older kids too. Grab some books from the library or Amazon to use with them to learn more about the animals in your area.
We love looking for tracks on our nature walks. We can easily see deer and coyote tracks on any walk we take around our house.
Print off the poster and tuck it into a pocket so that you can identify the tracks you see right away instead of trying to remember what they looked like when you get home.
Benefits of Learning About Animal Tracks
Learning about animal tracks is not only a fun activity for kids, but it also has real-world benefits. By observing animal tracks, kids can improve their observation and deduction skills, and develop a deeper appreciation for nature. Additionally, knowing how to identify animal tracks can be useful in situations like camping trips or hikes, where it may be important to know what kind of wildlife is in the area.
So why not print out our animal track activities today and start exploring the great outdoors? Your kids will love learning about the wildlife in their own backyard, and you may even discover some new animal friends along the way!
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