September 2023 Quiz

NOTE: With all of the answers below, If you have an alternate opinion about any one, please share! We are all here to learn from each other. Even the most experienced trackers continue to expand their knowledge through their own and others’ experiences, so don’t hesitate to share additional information, observations, questions, or experience.

There are 7 questions in this quiz, all from northeastern USA.

Question 1. 

This photo comes from the northwestern Pennsylvania, USA.

Who or what is it? Describe what you see.

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Answer: There is a curvy center line and a series of very small, alternating tracks on each side of the center drag. The tracks have bulbous toes and no claws. The pattern, size, and features all support salamander.

Question 2. 

This photo comes from Shane Hawkins in northwestern Pennsylvania, USA.

Who or what is it? Describe what you see.

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Answer: There are two separate tracks, hind (L) and front (R ) near the ruler, and one indirect register with hind over front at the top of the picture. The tracks have a proportionately large palm pad, bean-shaped toes, and a c-shaped negative space. The front track is the track closest to the ruler and due to the leading toe, and toe structure, this as a right front track of a domestic cat.

Question 3. 

This photo comes from Shane Hawkins in northwestern Pennsylvania, USA.

Who or what is it? Describe what you see.

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Answer: This is feeding sign of a large woodpecker going for carpenter ants inside dead wood. In this region, the only woodpecker large enough to do this is a pileated woodpecker. This one was extensive and active as evidenced by the bright color of the chips.

Question 4. 

This photo comes from Shane Hawkins in southwestern New York, USA.

Who or what is it? Describe what you see.

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Answer: These were neat tracks that Shane found at daybreak on the way to a hiking trail. She thought that the coyote heard her come out of the house and took off running down the driveway, leaving carpal pad and toe 1 impressions due to galloping speed and action.

Question 5.

This photo comes from Shane Hawkins in southwestern New York, USA.

Who or what is it? Describe what you see.

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Answer: There are two small tracks with a J-shaped series of toe impressions at the top of the picture, and two long tracks below. Typical resting position of a cottontail rabbit.

Question 6.

This photo comes from Shane Hawkins in northwestern Pennsylvania, USA.

Who or what is it? Describe what you see.

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Answer: This is a grayish scat, filled with fish scales. The color, consistency, and contents are typical of otter scats found in this area.

Question 7. 

This photo comes from Shane Hawkins in southwestern New York, USA.

Who or what is it? Describe what you see.

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Answer: This skull has rodent features, 4 large incisors with orange coloring, four cheek teeth, and a very large infraorbital foramen. This large oval opening, the infraorbital foramen, is indicative of porcupine.

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