Vuxenspår

Vuxenspår is a term used in Swedish wildlife biology to denote the tracks and other signs left by adult individuals of a species, as distinct from those associated with juveniles. In spoor-based surveys, vuxenspår are used to infer the presence, density, and movements of mature animals when direct observations are difficult.

In identification, vuxenspår are typically larger and deeper than juvenile signs, with proportionally longer strides and more robust pads or claw marks, depending on the species. Researchers assess track size, arrangement, gait, and the spacing of signs to distinguish adults from younger animals. The reliability of age classification from tracks depends on substrate quality, weathering, and the time since the animal passed.

Methods and limitations: Field recognition of vuxenspår relies on trained observers and reference guides. Substrate that is soft, frozen, or cluttered with other wildlife signs can obscure size cues. Disturbances such as overlapping tracks and multi-species activity complicate ageing from spoor alone. Genetic analysis, camera traps, hair snagging, or scat analysis are often used to corroborate age structure.

Applications: Vuxenspår contribute to population monitoring, age structure estimates, and habitat-use studies, especially where telemetry or camera-based methods are impractical. In Nordic boreal forests, adult signs for species such as moose (älg), roe deer (rådjur), and wild boar (vildsvin) inform management decisions about harvest, predator interactions, and habitat quality.

See also: spoor, tracks, wildlife sign, population monitoring.