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First published in the Fall 2003 Foxprint. Submitted by Paul Houghtaling.
(Editor's note: Mystery Track! is a regular feature in Foxprint. We hope to bring back all the Mystery Tracks of the past as well as new, more in depth ones in color. Our goal is to help you improve your animal track identification skills.)
Who am I?
Hint: There are two species shown. The frozen carcass of a moose lay nearby, and both of these animals appeared to have fed upon it. This photo was taken during late February at Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada.
Note: Don’t jump to conclusions about either of these tracks! For scale, the tape measure is approximately 1.25” x 1.25” square.
SCROLL DOWN FOR THE ANSWER...
Animal Track Identification Answer:
The tracks shown were from two types of canines - the red fox (top, moving to the right side of the page), and the eastern wolf (bottom, moving to the left). Interestingly, recent research is indicating that the wolves of Algonquin (along with the red wolf of the Southeastern states) are remnants of a species of wolf that once ranged the eastern half of North America and that are distinct from the more-famous gray wolf.
The likely story regarding this photo is that a moose died and was found by the fox, as evidenced by feeding sign, bedding, and scent marking. Later, two wolves crossed the path of the fox and seemed to have caught the scent of the carcass from the fox’s urine or fur.
The wolves then followed the fox for many kilometers until they found their prize, near which they stayed, fed, and howled to us under the Northern Lights! Photo taken on White Pine Programs’ annual Algonquin Wolf Tracking Expedition - thanks for a great time!
How are your animal track identification skills?
To learn the basics of animal track identification, check out the Kamana Naturalist Training Program.
Tracking is also a main part of the Residential Program curriculum. It is the ultimate animal tracking guide.
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