The newly blanketed, snowy ground can be a magical, serene image. But take a closer look. Do you see tracks in the snow? If so, you just might have the chance to glimpse into the lives of some of the animals that live there.
You may not realize the diversity of wildlife that surrounds you, even in your own backyard. Resident animals that don’t hibernate through winter must find food to survive, and they leave their tracks behind as evidence.
Opossum, raccoon, skunk, and squirrel tracks may lead to birdfeeders and garbage cans. Rabbit tracks might head toward an exposed patch of vegetation, and fox tracks may follow closely behind. Little prints could belong to smaller creatures, like mice or moles.
In suburbia, you may spot the tracks of coyote, deer, and turkey; farther out, in more rural areas, you might also see bobcat and mink tracks dotting the landscape.
Discovering the stories behind tracks not only provides a peek into the lives of wild creatures, but also offers a respite from today’s fast-paced, high-tech world.
Want to learn more? Visit DEC’s website and view the Winter Tracks PDF. You can print it and bring it with you the next time you venture out.
Illustrations, from above: Ruffed grouse tracks (photo by Sandy Van Vranken) and small mammal animal tracks illustration by Jean Gawalt, courtesy DEC.
Read more about wildlife in New York State.
Source link
