Tracking Canids: Track and Trail Synopsis

Every wolf is smaller than a coyote at some point in its life. So... is that a wolf track? A coyote track? A domestic dog track?

Inside are answers to these questions and more, such as How important is size? - VERYWhy is size so important? - Read and Find out.How much variation is there among tracks? - more than you thinkWhat is gait dimension"? - Size, group, straddleWhat is gait usage? - let's find out

Databases and silhouettes help you better understand all these questions and why it is all about dimensions when you are tracking canids.

This report summarizes an extensive study designed to document the dimensions of canid (red fox, coyote, wolf and domestic dog) tracks and trails. The report provides averages and variations for measurements providing a true picture of what may be observed in the field. Included in the measurements are 11 variables documenting of footprint sizes for both front and hind tracks and four variables describing dimensions of gait patterns for various patterns of walking, trotting, loping and galloping.

Graphs provide a visual look at track and gait dimensions and gait usage. Silhouettes of tracks for each species show the true average size. There is a detailed coverage of domestic dog breeds. Finally, cutoff diagrams show the best measurements to distinguish between species and the probability of successful differentiation.

This report is a reprint of a 1998 study. Reprinted here because of its great importance.