Common Tracks Found at White Sands

Wild animals are shy and try to avoid us. Most animals in the desert are nocturnal. During the day you can see evidence of these animals from the tracks they leave behind in the sand. Tracks, which tell the stories of night activity in the dunes, are awaiting your discovery! If you do encounter an animal, make sure you respect its space and do not try to feed it. The images and tracks below are not to scale, but they will help you identify animal signs you might find in the dunefield.
 
A ladder-like track crosses the white sands. A ladder-like track crosses the white sands.

Left image
Credit: NPS Photo

Right image
Credit: NPS Photo

 

Nevada Buck Moth Caterpillar

Hemileuca nevadensis

The length of the buck moth caterpillar can vary from one to four inches. In the park, spring is the best time to see them because that is when they hatch. The best place to find this caterpillar is on a cottonwood tree, which is their preferred food source. Once they cocoon, they turn into the Nevada buck moth, which is black, white, and red in coloration.
 
Tiny tracks in the sand making two straight lines; each footprint looks like a capital L, either normal or mirrored depending on the line Tiny tracks in the sand making two straight lines; each footprint looks like a capital L, either normal or mirrored depending on the line

Left image
Credit: NPS Photo

Right image
Credit: NPS Photo

 

Darkling Beetle

Eleodes obcurus sulcipennis

The darkling beetle, also known as the stinkbug, can be found anywhere in the park and is most prevalent in the summer months. The length of the beetle can be over one inch. The name stinkbug comes from their defensive spray, which smells like kerosene. Being dark in color, the beetle is very easy to spot on the white sand. The dark color of the body acts as a sunscreen, protecting the beetle from the damaging rays of the sun.
 
Small tracks in sand; a pair of footprints that each look like a banana with a small circle above, with a tail mark running in between Small tracks in sand; a pair of footprints that each look like a banana with a small circle above, with a tail mark running in between

Left image
Credit: NPS Photo

Right image
Credit: NPS Photo

 

Bleached Earless Lizard

Holbrookia maculata ruthveni or Lesser Earless Lizard

The bleached earless lizard can range in length from four to six inches, with a width of half an inch. Lizard tracks can be distinguished from others by the tail track between the footprints. This lizard enjoys eating insects, spiders, and small plants that are abundant at White Sands. The white coloration of the lizard is an adaptation to camouflage with the white sand.
 
A set of bird tracks in the white sand; each track has one back toe and three front toes A set of bird tracks in the white sand; each track has one back toe and three front toes

Left image
Credit: NPS Photo

Right image
Credit: NPS Photo

 

Horned Lark

Eromophila alpestris

The horned lark’s height is around seven inches. Their preferred foods are seeds and insects. While a year-round resident in the park, they are most prevalent when wildflowers are in bloom. The horned lark prefers to run rather than hop, so its tracks are continuous and in a line. The length of one print can be up to one and a half inches. The lark is a ground nester. The name horned lark refers to feather tufts at the top of the head, which look like two horns.
 
A set of roadrunner tracks in the white sand; they look like a stretched letter X A set of roadrunner tracks in the white sand; they look like a stretched letter X

Left image
Credit: NPS Photo

Right image
Credit: NPS Photo

 

Greater Roadrunner

Geococcyx californianus

The greater roadrunner can get up to 23 inches tall and run up to 18 mph. The roadrunner likes to eat snakes and lizards but will also eat scorpions and spiders. Its tracks are always in the shape of an X because the roadrunner has two back toes in addition to the two front ones. The length of one print is three inches. Look for roadrunners near the visitor center where there is a lot of vegetation.
 
Three sets of tiny Apache pocket mouse run horizontally across the screen; each track is a collection of four small, circular footprints Three sets of tiny Apache pocket mouse run horizontally across the screen; each track is a collection of four small, circular footprints

Left image
Credit: NPS Photo

Right image
Credit: NPS Photo

 

Apache Pocket Mouse

Perognathus flavescens Apachii

Fur-lined inner cheek pouches earned the Apache pocket mouse its name. Their diet consists of seeds found in the interdunal areas, and they never drink water. They get all the water they need from the seeds they eat. Their scat is rice shaped and crystal-like because of their efficient use of water. The total length of a pocket mouse varies from four to seven inches with a tail length from two to three inches. The length of their back feet is about one and a half inches with their front foot being much smaller.
 
A set of kangaroo rat tracks; each track has four prints -- two larger rear feet and two small front feet with a tail line down the middle A set of kangaroo rat tracks; each track has four prints -- two larger rear feet and two small front feet with a tail line down the middle

Left image
Credit: NPS Photo

Right image
Credit: NPS Photo

 

Kangaroo Rat

Dipodomys spectabilis

The kangaroo rat gets its name because of its large hind legs. If scared, it can jump up to 10 feet high. Just like the Apache pocket mouse, they get all the water they need from the seeds they eat, so the scat is the same shape and texture. The total length of the kangaroo rat is about 13 inches with a tail length of eight inches. The tracks are very similar to the Apache pocket mouse in size, but the kangaroo rat will rest its tail when still, leaving a tail imprint.
 
Two small paw prints on sand; similar to a dog print, there are four small toe pads ending in a point Two small paw prints on sand; similar to a dog print, there are four small toe pads ending in a point

Left image
Credit: NPS Photo

Right image
Credit: NPS Photo

 

Kit Fox

Vulpes macrotis

The kit fox can be up to 30 inches long. Average weight is three to six pounds, similar to a Chihuahua. Their diet consists of kangaroo rats, desert cottontails, and Apache pocket mice. Their scat can have fur in it, which will leave it pointed on the ends. The tracks of a kit fox are very hard to distinguish from dog tracks in the park. The length of one footprint is one to one and a half inches. A good distinguishing mark is that there will be claw marks with the print of a kit fox.
 
Two coyote paw prints in the snow over white sand; each print has four toe pads with fingernail indents and a main paw pad Two coyote paw prints in the snow over white sand; each print has four toe pads with fingernail indents and a main paw pad

Left image
Credit: NPS Photo

Right image
Credit: NPS Photo

 

Coyote

Canis latrans

A coyote’s diet can range from garbage to big game animals like elk and deer. Their scat is pointed at the ends just like the kit fox because they consume animals with fur. The scat can also have seeds. The coyote can range in size from 15 to 45 pounds. The tracks of a coyote are difficult to tell apart from dog tracks. The length of the back footprint can range from two and a half to three inches, with the front foot being slightly smaller. They live in the edges of the park and eat smaller mammals like the Apache pocket mouse and kangaroo rat.

Last updated: June 3, 2024

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

PO Box 1086
Holloman AFB, NM 88330

Phone:

575 479-6124

Contact Us

Tools

Stay Connected