Mammal Tracks and Sign of the Northeast [Paperback]

Diane K. Gibbons (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2003

Mammal Tracks and Sign of the Northeast is a field guide for identifying the tracks of mammal species native to the region which extends from New England, New York, and Pennsylvania to eastern Canada. Simple to use and light and easy to carry in the field, the book contains the most important information that a tracker will need--including life-size illustrations of tracks and scat, gait patterns, trail width, species habitat, food sources, scat and urine information, breeding seasons, range maps, and special tracking tips for all thirty-seven species. A unique dichotomous key devised by the author allows trackers to identify even the most confusing track through a process of elimination. The charming, highly detailed, and to-scale pencil illustrations are indispensable aids to accurate identification. Mammal Tracks and Sign of the Northeast is an artistic and accurately rendered guide suitable for professional trackers, naturalists and wildlife professionals, outdoor educators, hunters, and amateurs alike.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Though intended for the layperson rather a hard-core ichnologist, this book is a nifty little tool to carry in the field, to pass the time identifying traces produced by bear, skunk, deer, opossum, beaver or raccoon in any substrate, in summer or in winter. This is also a text in which ichnologists can reevaluate the approach to identification of trace fossils and reconsider who forms the audience ichnologists are trying to reach. Perhaps a lesson can be learned from MTSN because the audience Gibbons will reach includes anyone interested in learning about mammals and tracking in general. As ichnologists our audience should be every discipline outside our own, encouraging others to use ichnology to understand better paleoenvironments, paleoecological relationships, or paleohydrologic and paleoclimatic settings in which trace fossils were constructed."--Ichnos: An International Journal for Plant and Animal Traces

From the Publisher

6 x 9 trim. 291 illus. LC 2002-151142

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: UPNE; 1st edition (April 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158465242X
• ISBN-13: 978-1584652427
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #599,860 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What Kind of Critter Was Here?, July 26, 2004

By 

Ralph White (New England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mammal Tracks and Sign of the Northeast (Paperback)

Do you find yourself scratching your head when you examine tracks in the snow in your back yard? Have you wondered what beast left that distinctive scat on a wooden footbridge? Diane Gibbons' book is going to illuminate your world. Where the book is most useful is in differentiating among the signs of closely-related animals, such as wolf, coyote, and fox. And then there are the seldom-seen, difficult to identify signs, such as martin tracks and lynx scat. The book is wonderfully illustrated, and makes a great reference for the swift and accurate identificatioin of the tracks and signs of all mammals in the nine northeastern states. The diagrams illustrating the range of each animal are a welcome bonus.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, a key to tracking!, July 13, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Mammal Tracks and Sign of the Northeast (Paperback)

Diane Gibbons does an amazing job helping amateur trackers to decipher what we see in the field. I have yet to see a book that has a key, similar to botanical field guides, allowing us to piece together the tracks we see. The key is key! The illustrations are wonderful, as well, and equally helpful. Finally, the book is small enough to fit in a daypack. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about the wildlife around us.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars original, October 2, 2003

By 

Mark "Mark Elbroch" (San Gregorio, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mammal Tracks and Sign of the Northeast (Paperback)

There are numerous original concepts in this book: a key to identifying tracks, key identification features with arrows, species comparison pages (i.e. otter vs. fisher), and mating seasons compared across species. A wonderful addition to the diversity of tracking books on the market! And a generous book filled with wondrous illustrations created with real heart. Buy it.