Deer : Page 200

Section 3 is the track of a pig. It is smaller and morerounded than a deer track and the stride is not nearly aslong. There is little excuse to mistake pig tracks for thoseof a deer.

Section 4 is the track of a sheep. You will note that thistrack is also smaller than a deer's track; the points of the toesare rounded instead of being sharp and the cleft is wider thana deer's.

Section 5 shows the tracks as made by a bounding deer.When bounding, a deer makes long, graceful leaps which arefrom is to 20 feet apart. When the deer lands, it strikes the

Figure 45. Tracks as Made by a Bouncing Deer

ground with all four feet; the hind feet strike the ground infront of the forefeet. You will note the prints of the dew clawsin these tracks. The extra strain on the feet causes the hoovesto spread and the dew claws to contact the ground thus makinga wider and stronger landing gear. Since the powerful musclesof the haunches furnish the motive power for these long leaps,it is natural to expect that the hind feet will show a deeperimprint than the forefeet do.