How to Track & Find a Porcupine
- 1). Look for the distinctive pattern of the porcupine's feet. The front paw will leave a track that looks a great deal like a tiny bear claw, but the hind feet are roughly twice as large and are quite elongated. While the front foot has four claws, the rear has five, so count the claw marks on each foot pattern if you're not sure.
- 2). Check for the tail's hallmark pattern. The tail will often obscure the porcupine's trail because it drags along the ground. The quills will make a pattern that looks like someone has swept the ground with a straw broom with tiny furrows.
- 3). Search the brush around the trail for teeth marks. Much like beavers, the porcupine has long strong teeth that grow continuously in order to chew through strong bark and undergrowth.
- 4). Measure the marks. A porcupine will have a stride anywhere from 4.8 inches to 6.4 inches long. Rear footprints will be 4 inches long and the front paw will be 2.4 inches long.
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