A Photographic Guide to Tracks and Tracking in Southern Africa

Booktitle: Photographic Guide to Tracks and Tracking in Southern Africa
Author: Louis Liebenberg
Struik Publishers
Cape Town; South Africa, 2000
ISBN 9781868720088
Softcover, 9x19 cm, 144 pages, 160 colour photos

Description:

Tracking may well be among the oldest of the sciences. It is also one of the most revealing: trackers gain a detailed understanding of animal behaviour through the interpretation of their tracks and signs, accumulating information - especially on seldom-seen rare or nocturnal species - which might otherwise remain unknown.

Moreover, tracks and signs illuminate natural behaviour, while direct observation often influences the animal by the mere presence of the observer. In this photographic guide all groups of land animals are presented, including frogs, reptiles, birds and mammals. A special feature is devoted to insects of Southern Africa.

The photographs of the animals are combined with diagnostic hand-drawings of the spoor and, in some cases, photographs of droppings and other signs to enable easy identification in the field. The accompanying text describes important features of the animal concerned and its spoor, and provides relevant information on its behaviour, habits and habitat. Where useful, a distribution map has been included with each description to show where in southern Africa the animal occurs.