Identifying animal tracks in the snow: foxes, squirrels, and voles

Vole and mouse tracks in the snow

Tracks on the left: water vole

Water voles can be quite destructive in gardens and nurseries. They hoard large quantities of potatoes and root vegetables in their caches. Additionally, they dig tunnels just beneath the surface, which manifest as “soil sausages” in the spring. Typically, they trot with a stride whose length is less than 20 centimeters. It is reluctant to move in deep snow, where it hops instead.

Tracks in the middle: yellow-necked mouse

In autumn and winter, yellow-necked mice often enter buildings, causing messes and creating tunnels in insulation. They are adept climbers and can inhabit birdhouses during the colder months. Their long and strong hind legs enable them to jump. A typical calm leap spans about 10 centimeters, but they can jump nearly a meter when in flight. Their long tails leave a noticeable streak in the snow.

Tracks on the right: field vole

Field voles can damage trees and shrubs, especially during vole population booms. They consume the bark of trees beneath the snow. They primarily move through self-dug tunnels and on the ground over short distances. After the snow melts, their presence is evident through grass tunnels and winter nests.

Bank vole

Bank voles, skilled climbers, can feed on the buds of seedlings during winter. They are known to transmit hantavirus to humans via outbuildings. Their movement on snow includes walking, trotting, and jumping. Generally, their short tails do not drag on the ground, and their jumps are usually under 20 centimeters.

Moose tracks in the snow

Moose tracks are unmistakably large. They walk with strides nearly two meters long, though their step length shortens in deep snow. When trotting, a moose can cover over three meters in a single step. The front hoof print measures 12–16 cm.

Hare tracks in the snow

Mountain hares may harm garden trees and shrubs during winter. They favor aspens and willows but will also consume birch and other leafy shoots. A typical leap extends about 40 centimeters, while in flight, it can reach nearly four meters. The front paw print measures 5–6 cm, and the hind paw 7–9 cm.

Fox tracks in the snow

Foxes are also found in urban areas and can transmit mange to dogs and, subsequently, to humans. They walk only when curious or observant. A calm trot measures 60 centimeters, while in more vigorous movement, the length of their stride can double. The front paw print is 5.5–7 cm, and the hind paw 5–6 cm.

Deer tracks in the snow

White-tailed deer might occasionally venture into gardens but are not typically significant pests. They walk with steps about a meter long. Their trot is swift, and they escape with high leaps up to four meters long. The front hoof print measures 7–12 cm.

Squirrel tracks in the snow

Squirrels sometimes nest in buildings. Their population fluctuates with the spruce seed crop, with peak years seeing significant increases. They consume cones, nuts, berries, seeds, and green plant parts such as spruce buds. They move by jumping, with leaps ranging from 40 to 80 centimeters. The front paw print is 3–4 cm, and the hind paw 5–6 cm.

Rat tracks in the snow

Rats, though not garden pests, can damage structures and insulation. Ample bird feeding in winter can attract rats and mice. They are proficient climbers but tend to sink in soft snow. Their movement includes walking or jumping, and their long tails leave drag marks in the snow.

Sources: Marcus Wikman: Lumijälkiopas (2005) and Museum of Natural History Curator Veikko Haukisalmi