Stories in the Snow

1. What bird left this print in the snow? The print measures 3.75 inches long.

3. What story does this imprint in the snow tell us?

4. What mammal left these tracks?

5. Tracks aren’t the only evidence wildlife leave while moving through their territory. Scientifically this is called scat. And our question to you is: what mammal is responsible for this deposit?

6. There are bird tracks in the middle of the photo. Here’s the question: What mammal left the four prints up the length of the photo? Note the large hind prints (top) land in front of the smaller front paws (bottom) with the front prints staggered – one in front of the other. This animal was moving up the photo.

7. Note that all toes point forward! Also, note the compact arrangement of toes. The track is approximately 2.5 inches long and 2 inches wide. What mammal left this print?

8. This is an easily recognizable white-tailed deer print in the snow with four "toes," two big ones on top and two dew claws at bottom. As a wildlife detective, what can you interpret from this print?

9. What mammal left these prints? Hint: The front and hind paws most often land side-by-side.

10. One is the predator, and the other might be dinner. Illinois game law allows hunting this predator year-round. The other is protected by a season of limited days in the spring and again in the fall. Who are they?