Animal Tracks & Trails (1 hour)

Learn how to match an animal track and trail to its owner. Students will create their own plaster cast of an animal footprint after a slide presentation on tracking technique.  Maximum number of classes scheduled in one day is four with a maximum of 25 students per class.

 In your classroom, students will learn the differences in animal footprints, size, shape, (triangular, oval, circular), number of toes, (two, four, five and combinations of four on the front foot and five on the hind foot), by viewing mounted Connecticut mammals. Track patterns (straight line, imperfect, bounding and hopping/ leaping will be illustrated, with examples of the mammals that possess these patterns. Tracking terminology such as stride, straddle and gait will be discussed to familiarize students with the other track features. Students will each select a rubber animal footprint and use their detective skills to figure out whose what animal their track belongs to.  They will then make a plaster cast of the track to take home.  Blank tracking guides will be passed out to each student. The instructor will give students clues to help them complete a tracking guide of 12 common Connecticut mammals for them to take home. A slide presentation featuring a winter time tale of predator /prey relationships and the tracks, trails, and traces of various woodland animals will prepare the students for their own backyard explorations for animal signs.