What Track Is That?
by Jessica DeFord on Jul 11, 2025
Have you ever walked on the sand at a beach or in the snow on a winter day and left your footprints behind? Or perhaps you have seen footprints left by other people. If you saw someone’s footprints, you would have known that someone was walking in that area. Their footprints might also show which direction the person was walking or how far they walked.
Similarly, when an animal walks in an area, it leaves footprints or “tracks” behind. Scientists can use animal tracks as a clue to learn more about an animal. For example, an animal track can tell a scientist which animal the tracks came from, how many animals were there, where the animal went, and whether the animal was young or old, as well as male or female.
The next time you see animal tracks, you can try to figure out which animal they belong to, just like a scientist would. Here are three clues to help you learn more about animal tracks.
Claws or No Claws?
Some animal tracks will have claws, and some do not. For example, when scientists examine the tracks of the cat kind, they won’t find claws in the tracks. Even though cats have claws, they are light on their feet and can retract or pull their claws back in. Whereas animals in the dog kind do have claws.
“And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that creeps on the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.” Genesis 1:25
If you have a cat or a dog at home, take a look at their tracks. Do you see claws or no claws?
Webbing or No Webbing?
Some animals, such as ducks and turtles, have a thin piece of skin called webbing between each toe. Several animals that spend a lot of their time in water have this type of track. If you have ever been in a canoe, you have probably used a canoe paddle to move through the water. The paddle is flat, wide, and helps you move through the water more easily than if you were to stick your arm in the water to paddle along. The webbing between animal toes is also flat and wide like a canoe paddle, and helps animals move through the water when they swim. If you are near water and see animal tracks in the mud, take a look to see if you can see webbing.
Hoof or No Hoof?
Did you know that some animals have a special tip on their toe called a hoof? A hoof is a hard covering that protects and covers the toes of some animals like deer, horses, and pigs. An animal with a hoof leaves a track that looks like the letter “U.” If you have farm animals, or if you go to a petting zoo, look at the tips of the animals’ feet. Can you see a U-shaped hoof?
When you see animal tracks, you can use these three clues to help you figure out which animal might have left the track. And when you see the amazing design of animal tracks, you can give God the glory for his awesome creation!
“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” Romans 11:36
