UNLOCK THE SECRETS OF ANIMAL FOOTPRINTS Become a Nature Detective
Have you ever discovered a mysterious set of animal tracks? Reading those footprints can be your ticket to uncovering the hidden world of wildlife right under your nose. Whether you’re on a camping trip hoping to spot one of your favorite critters or simply curious about the pawprints you stumbled on at home, we’re here to show you how to become a nature detective. Prepare and Observe You’ll have the best luck spotting tracks or other signs of animal life in places where wildlife is known to frequent. Find watering holes or other areas where animals may feed or gather. Tracks need a suitable medium, like snow, mud, sand, or soft dirt, for them to show. Regardless
of where you’re heading, bring a field guide, a map of the area, hiking supplies, and tools for tracking, like a ruler, magnifying glass, and a camera. Count the Toes Your main clues to the owner of these natural calling cards are the number of toe and claw marks on the print. Canines, like wolves, and felines, like cougars, all have four toes, but you can see a significant difference between their claws. Cats have retractable claws, so their pawprints won’t always have claws. In contrast, birds have distinctive tracks with three long, skinny, forward-facing toes. Identify Your Prey When you have identified what animal family left the print behind,
you can begin to home in on its exact species. Use a small ruler to measure the size of the track to give you clues. A wolf, for example, has similar prints to a dog, but they are about 2 inches wider. Context is also a crucial factor when you’re tracking. Think about the animals that live in the area. Would there be any domesticated dogs in the woods where you are hiking? Document your tracks with photos and notes in a nature journal. If you’re still unsure, go online and look at various animal tracks. You may find what you’re looking for! So, next time you stumble upon animal tracks, get out your ruler and camera! Those prints could lead you on a great adventure!
Unseen Impact
head injuries; deceleration injuries that slam the brain against the inside of the skull; or a lack of oxygen from shock, chest trauma, stroke, or heart failure. The resulting TBIs can cause an overwhelming array of problems, including loss of consciousness, loss of memory, low energy, balance problems, headaches, personality changes, sleep loss, and long-term disability. Also, later in life, people with a history of even a single head injury show a higher likelihood of stroke, according to a recent peer-reviewed study at Penn State University. Other research has linked head injuries with a higher likelihood of late-onset epilepsy and dementia. A moderate brain injury is one that causes unconsciousness for 20 minutes to six hours, potentially leading to problems with concentration, memory, language processing, seizures, and chronic pain. Milder brain injuries from a concussion can still cause depression, fatigue, dizziness, chronic headaches, irritability, and memory loss. If you have experienced a vehicle crash that involves a potential head injury, or if you or a family member has experienced a concussion or TBI, be aware that these injuries are complex and potentially long-lasting. Many victims need a dedicated advocate. Our experienced attorneys are prepared to assess your traumatic injury case, explain your options, and help ensure you receive fair compensation for any injuries and suffering.
Traumatic Brain Injury Devastates Victims, Families
Barely a week passes these days without news about diagnosing and caring for patients with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), from pro football players to traffic accident victims. Brain injuries are jarring to victims and loved ones alike. Some TBIs are frighteningly obvious, such as serious damage sustained in a car crash, while others, such as concussions from playing sports, are harder to detect and are often missed. Both types of injuries can cause lasting problems. Motor vehicle crashes are among the most common causes of severe TBIs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A victim may experience open head damage; closed
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