Field Guide to Animal Tracks and Scat of California

Spotting an animal's fresh footprints in the wild can conjure a world for the hiker: Why did the deer tracks disappear? Where did the cougar turn off the trail? What does it mean when two sets of footprints seem to coincide? In this beautifully illustrated field guide, the first devoted to the tracks and signs of California animals--including birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates like spiders and beetles-- Mark Elbroch, Michael Kresky, and Jonah Evans blend meticulously observed science with their own trail experiences to provide an engaging and companionable resource, suitable for both armchair exploration and easy field identification. Tracking, the science of studying animal behavior through the evidence animals leave behind, is also a feast for the imagination and allows the observer to construct a story about an animal's presence. Filled with useful tools for the wildlife expert, essential background and visual aids for the novice, including in-depth information about the ecology of each species, this book goes beyond basic recognition of types to interpret what animals leave behind as a way of "seeing" how they move through the world.