A track is a message. Anyone can learn a lot about an animal by “reading” the track. We can tell which way the animal was headed. If an animal leaves enough tracks, someone might even be able to know if the animal was in a hurry or on the run. We can tell if the animal was injured.

Sometimes tracks are the only clue we have to tell us animals are in the area. We don’t often see the animals that are awake only at night or the ones who try to avoid humans. But if we see their tracks, we know they’re out there, and we can learn a lot about them. We can tell at least a little about how an animal lives in its world or its environment by reading the clues it leaves behind.

Keeping those feet warm in the winter varies by animal, but here’s just a few: