A gait is a way of moving with relation to the
movement
of the legs
and placement of the feet. Each species has a
gait
that is characteristic
for that species during normal, unmolested conditions.
 This is the LOPE of a northern river otter (Lutra canadensis). During the lope, both rear feet are moved almost simultaneously forward, and then both front feet are moved almost simultaneously forward. The lope of some members of the weasel family often takes on the diagonal shape shown here. |
 This is the PACING gait of a common raccoon (Procyon lotor). This is also the common gait of bears. Many animals use this gait when moving slowly or when angry. |
Members of the dog family, like this domestic dog (Canis familiaris), often use this gait as an energy efficient way of covering distances. The two uppermost tracks are the front tracks, and the two bottom tracks are rear tracks. Canines sometimes allow the rear tracks to fall to one side of the line of travel in a sort of diagonal TROT, as we see here. This dog was moving toward the right of the screen. |
This is a BOUNDING PATTERN of an eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis). The two front feet are more often placed right next to each other. This gait is often used by rodents and lagomorphs (rabbits), but is also used by other animals when running. In bounding, the animal lands with its front feet, brings its rear feet in front of them, and springs forward. 1. Left Front 2. Right Front 3. Left Rear 4. Right Rear |
This whitetail deer (Odocoileus virginiana) was moving toward the left side of the screen in a DIAGONAL WALK. In the diagonal walk the front right and back left feet are moved forward simultaneously and vice versa. The track on the left side of the screen is the rear left foot that has left a track on top of the front left track. The track on the right side of the screen is the rear right track on top of the front right track. |
These are the tracks of a half-grown whitetail deer in a GALLOP or run headed in the direction of the top of the picture. The mud is quite soft here, but the tracks are also very deep because of the intensity with which the deer is hitting the ground and pushing off. |
| *Produced by Travis Brown 2-22-02 |