WELCOME TO BIG CATS SIGHTED IN THE UK

Toe Arrangement FELINE

Cats have a ‘leading toe’. This is a toe that is more prominent than the others, it is the 2nd toe – either from the left or right, depending on what the foot is. This toe can tell us if it’s a print from a left or right paw.

This gives an overall asymmetrical appearance.

Plantar Pad FELINE

Toe Arrangement FELINE

In felines, the front edge (leading edge) of the plantar pad has 2 distinct lobes.

The rear edge has 3 lobes

Claw Marks FELINE

Toe Arrangement FELINE

Toe Arrangement CANINE

Felines have retractable claws and usually keep them retracted when WALKING.

But claw marks can show in soft or slippery ground and from the cat running, jumping or turning quickly.

Toe Arrangement CANINE

The two middle toes of a dogs print are usually level with each other.

The outer two on a dogs print are generally level with each other.

This gives a symmetrical appearance.

Plantar Pad CANINE

Toe Arrangement CANINE

Plantar Pad CANINE

The leading edge of the plantar pad, in canines has 1 lobe.

The rear edge has 2 lobes. However, the rear edge of a plantar pad on the REAR foot, of a canine print, can appear to have 3 lobes as it differs slightly to its front pad as it tends to be more bulbous in the middle of the rear edge.

Claw Marks CANINE

Toe Arrangement CANINE

Plantar Pad CANINE

Dogs claws aren’t retractable, they are often visible in pugmarks, but not always. There is a variety of reason a dogs claw marks don’t show up in a pug mark, including – having very short claws and the ground being too hard to register them.

Plantar Pad - leading edge.

Feline

The front edge of a feline's plantar pad has two lobes (Fig. 1) but if the print isn't well-defined, it may appear as a single lobe. In such cases, it often looks like a flat, blunt edge (Fig2).

Canine

A dog's plantar pad has a single lobe on the front edge, typically resembling the rounded tip of a triangle (Fig. 3). However, if the dog slips slightly forward while stepping, the print may appear flat and blunt (Fig 4) creating a resemblance to the front edge of a feline's plantar pad (Fig, 2).

Plantar Pad - rear edge.

Feline

The rear edge of the plantar pad has three lobes (Fig 5), but if the print isn't clear, they may appear as just two lobes (Fig 6) or even as a straight edge (Fig 7).

Canine

Feline

The rear edge has two lobes (Fig 8) but can sometimes appear as a straight edge (Fig. 9) In canines, the plantar pad of the hind feet is more bulbous and can occasionally resemble three lobes (Fig 10). While it generally differs from a feline’s three-lobed pad, it's important to remember that a distorted print can be misleading.

Claw Marks

Dog claw marks typically appear thick and blunt, while cat claw marks tend to be thin and sharp or may show as small, sharp punctures where only the tip touched the ground.
However, ground conditions can alter their appearance. In thick, wet soil, the earth may shift back around a claw mark, making a dog's thick claw impression seem thinner. Conversely, in dry or crumbly terrain, the ground can collapse or break away around a sharp claw mark, giving it the appearance of a blunt claw.

Canine pugmark, with non-typical claw marks, due to deep, wet mud.

Recognizing Other Wildlife Tracks: Avoiding Misidentification

Being able to identify other wildlife prints is just as important as distinguishing between feline and canine tracks. While prints from animals like deer and badgers are typically distinct, partial or unclear impressions can sometimes create misleading shapes. Overlapping tracks, substrate distortion, or weathering can make these prints appear different from their true form. By familiarizing yourself with a wide range of animal tracks, you’ll be better equipped to recognize when an unusual print is simply a distorted version of a common species, preventing misidentification and ensuring more accurate tracking.