- Grading and Max Credits: Graduate Catalog Info WIS6051
Course Description
The ability to identify animal sign is fundamental to good science and safe field work, and the goal of this course is to increase your recognition of the visual clues left behind by the myriad of creatures that inhabit a given ecosystem. It is intended for those who wish to improve the skills that can aid them in gaining a deeper understanding of animal behavior, since knowing the whereabouts and movement patterns of animals is critical to ascertaining preferred habitats, what and where they eat, resting and sleeping locations, and other activities.
Students will study a variety of animal sign from mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians including tracks, trails, gaits, scat, feeding sign, and other spoor (shelter, bedding areas, etc.). This information is invaluable in order to conduct animal surveys, know where to place trail cameras, collect samples for DNA testing, identify predation and poaching events, and gather other scientific data.
Course Objectives
The goals for this course will be to understand, analyze, identify and interpret the following:
- Tracking ecology
- Track morphology
- Track characteristics for mammals, birds, reptiles, & amphibians
- Ageing tracks
- Animal gaits
- Animal trails
- Scat/pellets
- Feeding sign
- Other animal sign (dens, burrows, beds, lays)
Course Topics
| Module | Topic |
|---|---|
| Module 1 | Introduction to Animal Sign |
| Module 2 | Tracking Morphology and Ecology |
| Module 3 | Animal Gaits |
| Module 4 | Canine Tracks |
| Module 5 | Feline Tracks |
| Module 6 | Ungulate Tracks |
| Module 7 | Bears, Skunks, & Procyonidae Tracks |
| Module 8 | Medium Sized Mammals |
| Module 9 | Rodent Tracks |
| Module 10 | Bird Tracks |
| Module 11 | Reptile and Amphibian Tracks |
| Module 12 | Scat and Pellets |
| Module 13 | Other Sign |
| Module 14 | Aging Tracks and Sign |
| Module 15 | Trailing |