Comparison of 3 tracking mediums for detecting forest carnivores
Belant JL. 2003. Comparison of 3 tracking mediums for detecting forest carnivores. Wildlife Society Bulletin. 31(3):744-747
Carbon soot, photocopy toner, and talcum powder were compared as tracking mediums for detecting forest carnivores. Surveys were conducted on land administered by the Hiawatha National Forest. Ability to identify tracks to species was similar among mediums. Percentage of tracks from which pad measurements could be made were comparable for toner (88%) and soot (81%) but lower for talcum powder (45%). Toe-pad measurements from 2 domestic animals using toner or soot also were similar. Toner was as effective as soot as a tracking medium for forest carnivores, did not require specialized equipment, and was safer and easier to use than soot.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Belant, Jerrold
- Units
- PIRO
- Keywords
- Animal Tracks, Carnivores (Carnivora), Common Raccoon (Procyon lotor), Fisher (Martes pennanti), Marten (Martes americana), Survey Methods, track plates, tracking mediums