Glossary
Heel Pad
Limb pad located at the
metacarpophalangeal joint or the
metatarsophalangeal joint.
This is the largest of the pads on the palmar or plantar surface of the feet of dogs and cats.
This is the largest of the pads on the palmar or plantar surface of the feet of dogs and cats.
Track
Impression or indentation made on the substrate (ground) by a foot.
Lobule
A small lobe, or lobular part of a lobe.
Lobule is used to describe the two rounded parts of the distal edge of the cat’s heel pad, reserving lobes for the three larger parts of the heel pad.
Lobule is used to describe the two rounded parts of the distal edge of the cat’s heel pad, reserving lobes for the three larger parts of the heel pad.
Distal
Located away from the centre of the main body.
In the case of an appendage, such as a limb, this is away from the point of attachment to the main body.
In the case of an appendage, such as a limb, this is away from the point of attachment to the main body.
Stride
The distance from the one track of a foot to the next track of the same foot.
This is conventionally measured from the proximal edge of the first track to the proximal edge of the next track of the same foot, and parallel to the central line.
This is conventionally measured from the proximal edge of the first track to the proximal edge of the next track of the same foot, and parallel to the central line.
Straddle
The width of a trail pattern.
This is conventionally measured from the most lateral point of a left track to the most lateral point of a right track, measured at right angles to the central line.
Therefore, this is the broadest possible measurement of width of a trail.
This is conventionally measured from the most lateral point of a left track to the most lateral point of a right track, measured at right angles to the central line.
Therefore, this is the broadest possible measurement of width of a trail.
Spoor
The series of traces made by, and left behind, by an organism.
This includes tracks and sign.
This should be contrasted with a track, which is an individual footprint.
This includes tracks and sign.
This should be contrasted with a track, which is an individual footprint.
Trackway
The marks or traces left by an organism (e.g. footprints, tail drags and belly drags).
Felid
Member of the felidae
family, the taxonomic family of cats, which is divided
into:
1. Pantherinae (tigers, lions, jaguars and leopards).
2. Felinae (domestic cats, cougars, caracals, servals, lynxes, ocelots and cheetahs).
Cheetahs are sometimes classified separately as acinonychinae.
1. Pantherinae (tigers, lions, jaguars and leopards).
2. Felinae (domestic cats, cougars, caracals, servals, lynxes, ocelots and cheetahs).
Cheetahs are sometimes classified separately as acinonychinae.
