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First published in the Spring 2006 Foxprint. Submitted by Jason Knight.
Who am I?
Hint: This mystery tracks was photographed near the the Pacific Ocean where we go for our annual Oregon Dunes Tracking Expedition (as well as our yearly field trip with the Residential Program). It surprised us to find these creatures inhabiting the dune landscape as you would not imagine this species to thrive in such a place. They seem to have done well adapting to this ecosystem and their sign can be found all over the dunes. One year we even followed one of these trails all the way to its maker! The short step (9") and wide trail width (6") give this creature away.
SCROLL DOWN FOR THE ANSWER...
Animal Track Identification Answer:
PORCUPINE! Yes, these stout little waddling bundles of spines, which we normally associate with forests, have apapted to life in the dune landscape. They make a pretty darn good living feasting upon seashore lupines (a flowering herbaceous plant the grows all over the dunes) and sleeping up in the small coast pines scattered between the dunes. Because they move so slowly and in such circuituitous routes (the opposite of straight lines), you have a good chance of catching up with one if you get on a fresh trail. To track these creatures and many more join us on our annual Oregon Dunes Tracking Expedition, its sure to be an adventure to be remembered!
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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