The Differences between Canine and Cat Tracks
Bear Prints
Bear Prints
Not all characteristics will be evident or even exact. Tracks will change according to the age of the animal, the age of the track, whether the animal was walking or running and especially, the consistency of the soil or snow that the track was made in.
Wolves, Coyotes and other Canines
This wolf track has most of the standard characteristics, especially the X, claws and vertically oval appearance. This print was 4.5 inches long. Click for full 37k image.- The prints are oval, longer than wider
- Claws are usually evident
- An X can be made between the heel pad and the toes The X is not as obvious in snow or mud.
- The alignment for the front two toes is side-by-side
- The front feet are somewhat bigger than the rear
- The heal pad usually has an obvious trianglar shape
- Lazy tracks in the snow - they drag their feet
- Adult Coyote tracks are generally 2.5 inches long
- Adult Wolf tracks are generally 4.5 inches long
- FWIW, very few dog tracks are longer than 4 inches
Cat Tracks
- The prints are more round and generally wider than longer
- Claws are usualy not evident
- An X cannot be made between the heel pad and the toes
- Usually a distinct set of lobes on the bottom of the heel pad
- One of the two front toes is noticeably longer except in snow
- The shorter of the middle two toes indicates left or right
- The sides of heal pad is straighter on the front feet
- Adult Lynx tracks generally have a 4 inch diameter.
- Cats don't drag their feet.
Black Bear Prints | Grizzly Bear Prints | |
---|---|---|
Fore Print | Black Bear fore print | Grizzly fore print |
Back Print | Black Bear Rear print | Grizzly Rear print |