A Guide for Trackers on Campus
by Robert Mumby
For those seeking to learn who else is on campus, there are identifying signs, tracks, trails and homes. Just a few examples are given below.
Antlions are a group of insects whose larvae build traps for ants and other tiny victims. Step on the loose soil and slide into he hole
Raccoon scat contains the remains of the critter’s last meal.
The Columbian Black-Tail, Mule Deer, herd roams our campus.
Some ground squirrels will have neighboring burrows; all will have more than one entrance/exit.
Every once in a while a mole will push its tunnel dirt above ground to form a mound. Moles eat grubs and other tiny critters.
Moles dig shallow tunnels for hunting, and deeper ones for safety and their bedrooms.
Turkey tracks are easy to identify because of their large size.
Deer and squirrels are largely responsible for trails; the latter make trails to oak trees (for acorns).
Dog tracks are rare because they seldom leave paved areas.
Most people stay on pavement, seldom leaving tracks.
