One of the most exciting things about winter hiking is a clear set of bobcat tracks in the snow – especially when you can identify what you're seeing: Bobcat or coyote tracks in the snow?
There’s nothing more primal than seeing a line of coyote tracks or bobcat tracks disappearing into the distance. Both animals are formidable hunters and are wild cousins of domesticated animals. Seeing them in print is both familiar and otherworldly.
Distinguishing feline and canine fingerprints is actually pretty easy once you know what to look for.
Here's how to tell the difference between bobcat tracks and coyote tracks in the snow.
Key Differences Between Bobcat Snow Tracks and Coyote Snow Tracks
If you wish to store all of the above identifying information in One page printable poster, Available in my online store. It's very clear and easy to read. Print as many as you need!
Degenerated snow marks
Unless you're very lucky and encounter a super fresh print, you'll almost always see a degraded coyote or bobcat print in the snow.
Most of the prints I found had gone through at least one freeze/thaw cycle, or some other weather degradation: rain, evaporation, more snow. Prints are rarely as clear as depicted in diagrams.
On the other hand, photos never seem to show animal prints as clearly as I see them in the wild.
Feline and canine fingerprints are almost always easy to identify. Once you identify a few groups in the field, they will be as different as chalk and cheese to you.
This is a relatively new bobcat print…
Here’s what to look for…
Bobcat/Coyote Print: Key Similarities
Compare the two photos below…
- Both prints have four toes Arrange in front of larger ones central pad
- Both prints are similar in size, the adult print is approximately 2 inches wide
- Coyote prints are slightly larger, but size also depends on the age of the animal, so the size of the print isn't always useful for identification
- Bobcats and coyotes are The perfect stepper: For use by felines and canines Register directly Place your back paw directly into the mark left by your front paw
- Why do animals need to be registered directly? Because, when hunting, it can reduce the chance of making noise by 50%.
- Adult bobcats and coyotes are solitary animals, so their tracks are usually those of solitary animals
Bobcat/Coyote Print: Key Differences
shape
- Feline: The overall shape is beautiful square
- Dog: The overall shape is a bit Rectangular (Height is slightly larger than width)
toe
- Feline: one front toe is slightly protruding Front other people's
- Canine teeth: both front toes aligned symmetrically
- Felines: All toes pointed forward
- Canines: lateral toe points outward
lobe
- Felines: two leaves on top of the center pad
- Dogs: One leaf on top of the center pad
- Felines: clover at the bottom of the center pad
- Dogs: two leaves at the bottom of the center pad
I like to remember this difference by remembering that cats have more life than dogs and have more lobes on their palms and heel pads. Cats have a total of 5 lobes of lungs. There are only 3 dogs.
claws
Cats retract their claws when needed, while dogs always have their claws extended. The presence of claw marks is one of the strongest differentiating factors in feline/canine fingerprinting.
- Felines: no claws (except maybe very rare)
- Dogs: claws present (always)
Combine clues
Taken together – the overall shape of the fingerprint, the arrangement of the toes, the number of lobes, and the presence or absence of claws – these four clues combined will give you confidence in your identification.
Coyote tracks and domestic dog tracks in the snow
The easiest way to spot a domestic dog is to notice how crazy it is. (Domestic dog tracks often accompany human tracks as well.)
In the wild, all animals are in a more or less permanent state of hunger. They are not willing to waste a calorie or gram of body fat. Bobcat and coyote tracks tend to be long, clean, and uninterrupted. Basically, they're patrolling, or just moving efficiently between one area and another.
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Domestic dogs, however, are big, dumb, spoiled kings and queens. They enjoy a constant flow of food, snacks, warmth, comfort and play. Every day! at the same time! Totally safe!
Therefore, the brain of a domestic dog is not designed for survival, but for fun. Their tracks gave it away.
Domestic dogs leave a dizzying array of footprints wherever their noses go, and in the wild, wherever their noses take them too.
If a coyote's track were a rope, it would be stretched taut between two points. If a dog's track were the length of something, relatively speaking, it would be a warm knot of spaghetti.
Get an ID poster
If you wish to store all of the above identifying information in One page printable poster, Available in my online store. It's very clear and easy to read. Print as much as you need!
Bobcat prints in the mud
The identification process described above can be used to identify bobcat tracks in mud and bobcat tracks in mud. Pay attention to the shape, lobes, toes, and claws, and you'll have no trouble distinguishing bobcat prints from coyote prints.
Coyote imprints in mud
The exact same identification process can be used to identify coyote tracks in mud and coyote tracks in mud.
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