Station 1: Footprints Objectives: Participants will identify tracks of the animals in the activity.


Materials: Clue Poster, Stamp, Ink pad, Table, Track molds, Crime scene tape, Tarp with tracks, Interpretation Reference Sheet, Easel, Tape, Garden stakes (4), Ground stakes (4)


Characters: Eddie the Ermine, Matthew the Marten, Micah the Mouse,Sammy the Squirrel, Sydney the Shrew Location: Near Detective Headquarters (within 20-30 yards), in a wide open grassy area.


Set-up: Set up a table with an easel on one end displaying the station poster. Spread the track molds out on the rest of the table, and the tarp out on the ground nearby. Make sure the side of the tarp with the tracks labeled at the beginning is up. The tarp should be staked into the ground with the ground stakes, use the garden stakes at each corner to support the caution tape.


Clue: Beth the Brown Bear has set up a crime scene barrier around the place where Victor the Vole had planned to eat lunch as soon as she noticed tracks from the sus- pects. Follow each set of tracks and match it to the appropriate suspect to eliminate who did not enter the crime scene.


Directions: 1. Participants will read the clue poster. 2. Participants will complete the activity individually or in small groups depending on the number of participants at the station. a. Participants will follow each of the animals’ tracks to see if they entered the crime scene (circle marked with a dotted line on the tarp).


b. They will use the track molds to identify which track belongs to the suspects that did not enter the crime scene. c. Participants will eliminate the characters whose tracks do not enter the scene of the crime. d. Participants connect the footprint image to the correct corresponding character in their guidebook.


3. Prepare a short (1-2 minute) interpretation of the activity and additional talking points. Discuss remaining track molds and identify which character they belong to. Refer to the reference sheet.


4. The station ranger will stamp each participant’s guidebook. In order to receive a stamp, they must have: connected the foot- print image to the correct corresponding character, and participated in the interpretation session.


Answer: Matthew the Marten can be eliminated at this station. His tracks do not enter the scene of the crime. A – Ermine B – Squirrel C – Shrew D – Mouse E – Marten


Interpretation Reference Sheet: Tracking Animals


When tracking animals, there are a number of different types of clues other than tracks that can help you to identify animals. Many of these elements require knowledge about the animals, or use of a field book to help with the identification process.


Prints: When observing the actual print, it is important to look closely at details. How big is the print? How many toes does the animal have? How deep is the print? Are there claw marks? Evidence of toe pads? All of these questions can help you to identify the animal.


Feather marks: Feather prints can often be found, especially in the snow. These can be trails behind birds’ footprints, or whole wing imprints from a bird swooping down along the ground. This can explain some of the bird’s behavior helping you to identify the specific bird that left the track.


Gait patterns: Gait is the pattern of movement. Do the footprints go straight, or do they meander? How far apart is each track? Did the animal walk or run? The pattern of movement can help to identify the animal that left the tracks.


Scat: Scat is the name we use to describe animal droppings. Different characteristics of scat can be used to identify the animal as well.


Browsing marks: Browsing marks where animals have nibbled on sticks and twigs can also aide in identifying the specific animal. The location and type of cut are usually characteristic of individual animals.


Reference Hipple, E. (2015, February 11). Tracking Wildlife with Kids. Retrieved from www.outdoors.org/articles/amc-outdoors/wildlife-detectives-tracking-in-new/.


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