Product Review

Mammal Tracks and Scat: Life-Size Tracking Guide© is a handy waterproof year-round field guide, with life-size tracks and scat, designed to be carried through brush, bramble and snow banks, and emerge unscathed. It uses a novel three-step process to identify tracks of 29 different animals that are commonly encountered in the field. First, a movement pattern is determined (walker, trotter, hopper, waddler or bounder). Then, the group is identified (e.g. rodent or cat family) and, finally, the species is pinpointed using clues under the heading "Species Differences." For scat, first a shape is identified (round or cylinder). Then the categories are divided into more detailed shapes (pointed, twisted, broken, etc.). Finally, the species is identified using other tracking signs (dens, teeth marks, etc.).