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Tracker Manual: A Practical Guide to Animal Tracking in Southern Africa
Tracker Manual is a revised and expanded edition of a bestselling guide to animal tracking in southern Africa. This practical book has been developed by some of southern Africa’s few remaining traditional trackers and draws on centuries-old wisdom acquired in the wild.
This second edition includes an extra 26 species, some 200 new photographs, and new track drawings throughout. Simple bulleted text highlights key features of the tracks of some 200 animals – from predators and large mammals to birds and insects – and, where applicable, their habits, diet, droppings and territorial behavior. Multiple photographs – many annotated – of the animals, their tracks, dung, middens and scrapes, show what signs to look for. Additional features include a handy table of bird track sizes and a table for comparing footprints of animal species that are easily confused. An instructive and wide-ranging introduction covers the latest in track morphology, animal gaits, track age recognition, and the skills and mindset required for successful identification.
This detailed and richly illustrated manual to the region’s animal tracks and signs will prove invaluable in the field and for visitors interested in accurately interpreting the most obvious – and not so obvious – signs of the wild.
This second edition includes an extra 26 species, some 200 new photographs, and new track drawings throughout. Simple bulleted text highlights key features of the tracks of some 200 animals – from predators and large mammals to birds and insects – and, where applicable, their habits, diet, droppings and territorial behavior. Multiple photographs – many annotated – of the animals, their tracks, dung, middens and scrapes, show what signs to look for. Additional features include a handy table of bird track sizes and a table for comparing footprints of animal species that are easily confused. An instructive and wide-ranging introduction covers the latest in track morphology, animal gaits, track age recognition, and the skills and mindset required for successful identification.
This detailed and richly illustrated manual to the region’s animal tracks and signs will prove invaluable in the field and for visitors interested in accurately interpreting the most obvious – and not so obvious – signs of the wild.
376 pages, Paperback
Published August 8, 2024
6 people want to read
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March 19, 2024
#TrackerManual – Alex van den Heever
#Struik
The traditional highlights of visits to a National Park, Game Farm, Wildlife Estate, or similar destination always include the sighting of one or more specific animals. The big five are firm favourites, but rare species and baby animals are equally sought after. Most visitors miss the more subtle signs of bush traffic, unfortunately. The reasons vary, but a lack of knowledge is a certain factor. Very few laymen have even the most basic knowledge of tracking.
This manual was first published in 2017 and has been updated quite a few times. The revised 2024 edition includes new drawings, 200 new photographs, and 35 additional species, but retains the popular format of its predecessors, combining centuries-old knowledge with up-to-date research. More than 190 species are described in terms of appearance, typical behaviour, social structure, habitat, diet preferences, excrement, tracks, gaits, middens, and scrapes. An additional table compares tracks that are easily confused, and full-colour photographs and sketches are provided.
It is not merely the tracks that are described and identified, also included is track morphology and how to distinguish between gaits like walking, trotting, side-trotting, straddle-trotting, galloping, bounding, and hopping. External influences such as temperature, wind, rain, and substrate type are also discussed, and measurements are supplied.
The chapters are divided into animal types as follows: carnivores, large mammals, antelopes, small mammals, primates, hares and rodents, amphibians and reptiles, birds, insects, and other invertebrates.
The authors and contributors are experts in the field. Alex van den Heever is the general manager of the Tracker Academy, an NGO that teaches wildlife tracking in southern Africa, with more than 30 years of experience in wildlife tracking. Renias Mhlongo is the lead tracker mentor of the Academy and has been living in the Kruger National Park for more than 40 years. Karel Benadie is the Academy’s lead tracker trainer with more than 42 years of experience as a tracker and field ranger, and Ian Thomas is a photographer who has won awards recognizing excellence in guiding, weapon handling, and tracking. He is also the illustrator of the tracks in this book.
The guide is not only for professional and recreational hunters; it is equally suited for visitors to Game Parks, tourists, farmers, and all nature enthusiasts.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #Uitdieperdsebek
#Struik
The traditional highlights of visits to a National Park, Game Farm, Wildlife Estate, or similar destination always include the sighting of one or more specific animals. The big five are firm favourites, but rare species and baby animals are equally sought after. Most visitors miss the more subtle signs of bush traffic, unfortunately. The reasons vary, but a lack of knowledge is a certain factor. Very few laymen have even the most basic knowledge of tracking.
This manual was first published in 2017 and has been updated quite a few times. The revised 2024 edition includes new drawings, 200 new photographs, and 35 additional species, but retains the popular format of its predecessors, combining centuries-old knowledge with up-to-date research. More than 190 species are described in terms of appearance, typical behaviour, social structure, habitat, diet preferences, excrement, tracks, gaits, middens, and scrapes. An additional table compares tracks that are easily confused, and full-colour photographs and sketches are provided.
It is not merely the tracks that are described and identified, also included is track morphology and how to distinguish between gaits like walking, trotting, side-trotting, straddle-trotting, galloping, bounding, and hopping. External influences such as temperature, wind, rain, and substrate type are also discussed, and measurements are supplied.
The chapters are divided into animal types as follows: carnivores, large mammals, antelopes, small mammals, primates, hares and rodents, amphibians and reptiles, birds, insects, and other invertebrates.
The authors and contributors are experts in the field. Alex van den Heever is the general manager of the Tracker Academy, an NGO that teaches wildlife tracking in southern Africa, with more than 30 years of experience in wildlife tracking. Renias Mhlongo is the lead tracker mentor of the Academy and has been living in the Kruger National Park for more than 40 years. Karel Benadie is the Academy’s lead tracker trainer with more than 42 years of experience as a tracker and field ranger, and Ian Thomas is a photographer who has won awards recognizing excellence in guiding, weapon handling, and tracking. He is also the illustrator of the tracks in this book.
The guide is not only for professional and recreational hunters; it is equally suited for visitors to Game Parks, tourists, farmers, and all nature enthusiasts.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #Uitdieperdsebek
Displaying 1 of 1 review