{"id":1863,"date":"2023-01-24T16:08:58","date_gmt":"2023-01-24T16:08:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/monteithshop.org\/?page_id=1863"},"modified":"2023-01-24T16:36:45","modified_gmt":"2023-01-24T16:36:45","slug":"casts-animal-tracks","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/monteithshop.org\/es\/for-educators\/casts-animal-tracks\/","title":{"rendered":"Casts of animal tracks"},"content":{"rendered":"
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As wildlife scientists, we spend a lot of our time looking for animals. Mammals are hard to see most of the time, but they often leave evidence that they were in an area through tracks and sign. We then have to find the clues they\u2019ve left behind and piece together what that animal was doing.<\/p>\n

We can make casts of the animal tracks to save and take home with us. This can be helpful if we just want to be reminded of seeing a particular animal, or if we want to build a library of tracks under different conditions. A deer track will look different depending on whether she was walking in snow or running through mud. Casts of the tracks will help us to remember what tracks look like in all sorts of conditions!<\/p>\n

These instructions will walk you through the process of making plaster casts of animal tracks. Here’s<\/a> a printable, PDF version of the guide.<\/p>\n

Making casts is a pretty easy process, but it is messy. It\u2019s appropriate for people of all ages, as long as they\u2019re excited about animals!<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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\"Visuals<\/div>
How to make plaster casts of animal tracks.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Materials<\/h4>\n

Plaster of Paris or dental plaster. Plaster of Paris can be found at most hardware stores.<\/p>\n

Water<\/p>\n

Mixing container (paper bowls work well!)<\/p>\n

Protective gloves\u00a0(nitrile or latex)<\/p>\n

Mixing utensil (plastic spoons or popsicle sticks work well!)<\/p>\n

Cardboard\u00a0or poster board strip to contain plaster once is has been poured<\/p>\n

Clothes pin, tape, or paperclip\u00a0to hold cardboard in place.<\/p>\n

A place to be messy!<\/p>\n

And of course\u2026 TRACKS! You can use real animal tracks or purchase animal tracks online for little cost.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Directions<\/h4>\n
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  1. Once you have identified the track you would like to cast, cut a strip of cardboard long enough to encircle the track with an inch or so between the edge of the track and cardboard. The strip should be about 5 inches tall.<\/li>\n
  2. Place the tape, clothes pin, or paper clip on the cardboard to hold it at the right size circle, and gently press it into the ground surrounding the track so the plaster does not pour out underneath the edge. BE CAREFUL NOT TO DISTURB THE TRACK!<\/li>\n
  3. Mix 2 parts plaster to 1 part water in your mixing container until it feels like pancake batter.<\/li>\n
  4. GENTLY pour the mixture into the circle of cardboard, letting it seep into the track. Try not to pour it directly into the track as the force of the mixture could distort the track\u2019s detail.<\/li>\n
  5. Wait 30-40 minutes to let the plaster set. It\u2019s done when it appears dull and is hard when you poke it.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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    \"Children<\/div>
    Children gather around a table, where Ben is showing them how to make casts of animal tracks.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"As wildlife scientists, we spend a lot of our time looking for animals. Mammals are hard to see most of the time, but they often leave evidence that they were in an area through tracks and sign. We then have to find the clues they\u2019ve left behind and piece together what that animal was doing. …

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