Mammal Tracks & Sign: A Guide to North American Species

by Mark Elbroch

- 2003 National Outdoor Book Award Winner - Detailed track and trail data for 135 species with actual-size track illustrations in one section - Scat photos and data for dozens of animals The most thorough treatment of the subject ever published, this amazing guide brings together clear track and trail illustrations, range maps, and full-color photographs showing feeding signs, scat, tunnels, burrows, bedding areas, remains, and more, to give a wealth of information about hundreds of mammal species living in North America. How to find, identify, measure, and interpret the clues mammals leave behind--explained and illustrated like never before. Includes essays that contextualize tracking as a developing science continually garnering more interest and participation; included also are instructive anecdotes from the author's work as a tracker and wildlife expert. An invaluable resource for beginning or professional trackers and wildlife enthusiasts in all North American locations.

Genres: Reference, Field Guides, Nature, Science, Nonfiction, Animals, Natural History

792 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2003

Reviews

[Robin Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

to the reference shelf!

[Cliff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imminently practical and valuable to the naturalist and serious student of wildlife observation and behavior.

[Gary Seiser · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are many books on wildlife tracking in North America, some are good, some are not, but this one is the gold standard. Dr. Mark Elbroch has written numerous books on natural history and wildlife tracking, and was the Initial Evaluator for CyberTracker Evaluations in North America. He is a Senior Tracker with CyberTracker Conservation out of South Africa and received an honorary Master Tracker certificate for his work in the field. Mark is the director of the Puma Program for Panthera. The first edition of this book was amazing. The second edition, which came out in 2019, is even better. It also adds contributions by Casey McFarland, who is both a Senior Tracker and a Senior CyberTracker Evaluator. Casey teaches and certifies trackers internationally, and played an important role is the establishment of CyberTracker Europe. If I were to try to detail all the positive things I could think of to say about this book, it would take days. Suffice it to say, if you are a wildlife tracker in North America, or want to be one, this is the bible. You may not need it to begin, but you will definitely want it if you keep spending time in the dirt looking at tracks and sign. Keep tracking.

[Janet Pesaturo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This comprehensive book on spoor of North American mammals is the standard. Unlike many other tracking books, it is organized by type of spoor (tracks, scat, sign on vegetation, burrows, runs, etc.) rather than by species. That allows you to flip through a section on type of sign when trying to ID something you found in the field. So, for example, if you find a hickory nut bearing rodent feeding sign, you can consult the section showing feeding sign on hickory nuts left by a variety of different rodents. Elbroch also covers variations - For example, red squirrels eat hickory nuts in different ways, leaving different sign, and Elbroch provides a few examples. Bear scat varies with diet, and Elbroch shows bear scats containing remains of different types of food. In the tracks and trails sections, he usually gives several examples for each species, and provides measurements. Range maps are also included in the tracks section. While this book is large and encyclopedic, the novice benefits from the illustrations of life-size ideal tracks in the beginning of the book. This book is a must for the serious tracker!

[Brad VanAuken · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a superb book. I have many books on tracking and reading animal scat. This is far superior to those other books. It is comprehensive. It covers each mammal in detail and it is organized by tracks, runs, paths and eskers, scars, urines and other secretions, nests, lodges and other constructions, sign on the ground, sign on fungi, herbaceous plants, and cacti, sign on trees and shrubs and interpreting prey remains. It has really uped my game in identifying animals in our woods.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to enjoy as a book you read cover to cover. It’s very dense and full of knowledge that would be best learned with a hands on experience with a tracker like Mark Elbroch.


Still an excellent field guide though, hence the 5 stars.

I only made it about 5%, same page as Figure 2.26.

[Mr. Mustela frenata · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.89

[jaime chambers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book blew me away. Came for the thick, rich detail; stayed for the lovely writing and contagious wonder at wild things.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

The definitive track and scat book of North America. The pictures truly separate this book from other outstanding peers, like Olaus J. Murie's Animal Tracks from the Peterson Field Guides series. Plus, gait diagrams, actual-size prints of many mammals, and photograph after photograph of prints, tracks, trails, middens, dens, scratches, gnaws, and chews from all over North America. It's an astounding compedium, and although a little too bulky to be an outdoor companion, it will prove its bulk every time you see sign of the many mammals that are among us.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get this book if you've ever wanted to understand more about wildlife. It will enrich your experiences in the outdoors by teaching you how to spot all types of sign, from tracks to scat to kill sites and everything else. I am so impressed by this book! Suddenly I feel so much more in tune with my surroundings while I'm working and playing outdoors and see the recent presence of animals everywhere.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an expensive book but it is worth every penny. This is hands down one of the most informative books on its subject. It covers everything from chipmunk tracks to polar bear rubs. The color photographs and size refrence are extremely helpful.

[Brett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is just downright awesome! I havent read any other books like this that show tracks, but I dont really want to anymore! This book is so well illustrated that it has everything I was looking for! This is in my pack at all times!

[Myfanwy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource and reference.

[Casey]

The best on the subject

[Elowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely invaluable! I have learned so much from the excellent photos, drawings & descriptions. I highly recommend it. Dispute it's weight I still take it along on many of my field trips.

[Calli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is wonderfully informative, full of interesting detail, but unfortunately too big and weighty for my backpack.