Mammal tracks

Question 1

95mm

Answer 1

Spotted Hyaena
R front 95mm

Tracks: Similar to dog tracks, with claws visible. The front feet and hind feet less different in size , and the track is more oblong.
Kidney-shaped outside toes
Toes grouped tightly together and they occasionally form a distinctive ridge of soil in between
Main pad asymmetrical: one lobe on the posterior edge extending lower than the other.
Hind foot facing outwards, about 25 degrees to the front( all hyaenas)

Other Signs: Scat is white due to high calcium content from bones. Look for communal latrines and bone remnants.

Question 2

125mm

Answer 2

Lion front 125mm

Tracks: Round and broad main pad with four distinct, large oval toes and no claw marks (as they retract their claws). The pads of their feet are large and pronounced with three diagnostic lobes on the posterior edge

Main pad more symmetrical compared to hyaena
Front food / main pad broader, front toes more splayed
Hind food main pad appears sharper/ more angular and more narrow

Other Signs: Scat often contains fur and bones, which they cannot digest. Look for territorial markings like scratch marks on trees.

Question 3

90mm

Answer 3

Leopard male
R Front 90mm

Tracks: Large main pad with four oval toes, main pad occasionally shows indentation on the leading edge. Posterior three well defined lobes. The front feet are larger and more rounded than the hind feet.

Other Signs: Scat is usually more segmented than lion scat. Look for kill sites often hoisted into trees.

Question 4

45mm

Answer 4

Caracal
R front 45mm

5 toes on each front paw, with the innermost
toe, or dewclaw, located higher up on the front leg

4 toes on each hind paw, 55mm

Question 5

45mm

Answer 5

Serval
R front 45mm

Question 6

35mm

Answer 6

African Wildcat
R front 35mm

Question 7

30 mm

Answer 7

Genet
R front 30mm

Question 8

Retractile claws

Answer 8

All real cats, except cheetahs
FELIDAE:

1. Felinae: African Wildcat, black-fooded cats, caracal, serval
2. Pantherinae: Leopard, lion

(3. Acinonixinae: cheetah)

Question 9

70 mm

Answer 9

Wild Dog
R front 70mm

The main pads are roughly triangular with a straight posterior edge. Each foot leaves four toe imprints with the thick claws clearly visible on the track. Two middle toes lie parallel with a slight gap between
Regular walking: hind foot behind or on top of the front foot

Question 10

80mm

Answer 10

Cheetah
R front
Main pad slight indentation on the leading edge, three well-defined lobes posterior with ridges
Hind foot main pad square/box-shaped
Claw marks are possible

Question 11

Answer 11

White Rhinoceros
R front 250mm
Large middle toe with two smaller outer toes situated close to the middle toe
Overall shape square ( in black rhinos oval)
Bills front foot 290mm hind foot 275, females shorter and less broad
Posterior edge has a distinctive indentation (two lobes)
Sometimes drag their bottom lip along the ground, creating a 200mm wide drag mark
Inside toe slightly situated further forward
Middle toe angels down towards the outside

Question 12

Answer 12

Black Rhinoceros
R front 240mm, hind 230mm
Front broader, outer toe situated closer to the middle toe
Inside toe situated further forward
Middle toe slopes down toward the outside
Normal walking gait hind foot landing slightly behind front foot
When travelling faster hind foot on top of the front foot

Question 13

Answer 13

Hippopotamus
R front 250mm, hind foot 230mm
Four distinct toes
Front toes and main pad larger
Middle toes sometimes fuse
Toenails push deeper into the sand/mud than the toes
Regularly drag their feet as they walk—> signature scuff marks

Question 14

60mm / 75mm

Answer 14

Vervet Monkey
R front 60mm/ hind 75mm

Question 15

Answer 15

Chacma Baboon
R front 70mm/ hind 135mm

Question 16

Answer 16

African porcupine
R front 50mm/ hind 80mm

Question 17

Answer 17

Honey Badger
R front 55mm/ hind 81mm

Question 18

180mm

Answer 18

Giraffe
R front

Question 19

120mm

Answer 19

Buffalo
R front

Question 20

90mm

Question 21

45mm

Answer 21

African Civet
R front

Question 22

50mm

Answer 22

Black-backed Jackal
R front

Question 23

41mm

Answer 23

Water Mangoose
R front

Question 24

25mm

Answer 24

Slender Mangoose
R front

Question 25

90mm

Answer 25

Aardvark
R front

Question 26

90mm

Answer 26

Aardvark
R front

Question 27

18mm/22mm

Answer 27

Hedgehog
R front 18mm/ hind 22mm

Question 28

120mm

Answer 28

Roan Antelope / Pferdeantilope
R front

Question 29

115 mm

Answer 29

Sable Antelope
R front

Question 30

90mm

Answer 30

Waterbuck

Question 31

80mm

Answer 31

Sitatunga
R front

Question 32

80mm

Answer 32

Sitatunga
R front

Question 33

45mm

Answer 33

Warthog
R front

Question 34

22mm

Answer 34

Klipspringer

Question 35

80mm

Answer 35

Red Lechwe
R front

Question 36

80mm

Answer 36

Red Lechwe
R front

Question 37

65mm

Answer 37

Greater Kudu
R front

Question 38

Elephant

Answer 38

Front foot: broad, round
Hind food: narrower and more oval
Soles rough and cracked
Thicker layer of cartilage on the posterior edge—> fewer cracks on the track
Sometimes scuff marks from the toenails
Normal walking gait: hind foot partially on top of front foot.
Speeding up the hind food registers progressively forward .
Serpentine trails from the trunk possible.
Males: front 470x350, hind 500x320mm
Femal: front 430x330, hind 480x310mm

Question 39

Elephant

Answer 39

Front foot: broad, round
Hind food: narrower and more oval
Soles rough and cracked
Thicker layer of cartilage on the posterior edge—> fewer cracks on the track
Sometimes scuff marks from the toenails
Normal walking gait: hind foot partially on top of front foot.
Speeding up the hind food registers progressively forward .
Serpentine trails from the trunk possible.
Males: front 470x350, hind 500x320mm
Femal: front 430x330, hind 480x310mm