Mammal Tracks and Sign of the Northeast

by Gibbons, Diane K.

• ISBN13: 9781584652427
• ISBN10: 158465242X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-04-01
• Publisher: Univ Pr of New England

Summary

Mammal Tracks and Sign of the Northeast is a field guide for identifying the tracks of mammal species native to the region which extends from New England, New York, and Pennsylvania to eastern Canada. Simple to use and light and easy to carry in the field, the book contains the most important information that a tracker will need--including life-size illustrations of tracks and scat, gait patterns, trail width, species habitat, food sources, scat and urine information, breeding seasons, range maps, and special tracking tips for all thirty-seven species. A unique dichotomous key devised by the author allows trackers to identify even the most confusing track through a process of elimination. The charming, highly detailed, and to-scale pencil illustrations are indispensable aids to accurate identification. Mammal Tracks and Sign of the Northeast is an artistic and accurately rendered guide suitable for professional trackers, naturalists and wildlife professionals, outdoor educators, hunters, and amateurs alike.

Author Biography

DIANE K. GIBBONS is an accomplished naturalist and illustrator and has spent over twelve years studying wildlife tracking with some of the best trackers in the United States. She has a Masters of Science in Environmental Biology from Antioch New England Graduate School. Diane leads workshops in tracking, wilderness skills and nature awareness, and lives in southern New Hampshire with her husband Paul and their four dogs.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. ix
Introduction	p. 1
Method of Devising the Key and Manual	p. 3
Using the Key	p. 4
Definitions of Terms	p. 5
Gaits and Corresponding Track Patterns	p. 7
A Key to the Mammal Tracks of the Northeast	p. 11
Compression Shapes	p. 15
Species Listed in Order
Didelphidae
Virginia Opossum	p. 18
Soricidae
Shrews	p. 20
Leporidae
Cottontail, Eastern and New England	p. 22
Snowshoe Hare	p. 24
Sciuridae
Eastern Chipmunk	p. 26
Woodchuck	p. 28
Gray Squirrel	p. 30
Red Squirrel	p. 32
Flying Squirrel, Northern and Southern	p. 34
Castoridae
Beaver	p. 36
Muridae
Deer Mouse and White-Footed Mouse	p. 40
Woles	p. 42
Muskrat	p. 44
Murinae
Norway Rat	p. 46
Zapodidae
Meadow Jumping Mouse and Woodland Jumping Mouse	p. 48
Erethizontidae
Porcupine	p. 50
Canidae
Domestic Dog	p. 52
Gray Wolf	p. 54
Coyote	p. 58
Red Fox	p. 60
Gray Fox	p. 64
Ursidae
Black Bear	p. 66
Procyonidae
Raccoon	p. 70
Mustelidae
Weasels, Long-tailed, Short-tailed, and Least	p. 72
Mink	p. 74
Marten	p. 76
Fisher	p. 80
River Otter	p. 82
Mephitidae
Striped Skunk	p. 86
Felidae
Housecat	p. 88
Bobcat	p. 90
Lynx	p. 92
Mountain Lion	p. 96
Cervidae
White-tailed Deer	p. 100
Elk or Wapiti	p. 104
Moose	p. 106
Comparison Pages	p. 109
Breeding Seasons in the Northeast	p. 128
Notes	p. 131
Bibliography	p. 133
Index	p. 135
Table of Contents provided by Rittenhouse. All Rights Reserved.