Distinguishing tracks of mink Mustela vison and polecat M-putorius

Targeted trapping and monitoring methods for mink rely on the correct identification of mink tracks on tracking plates. Previously, there has been no reliable method by which mink tracks can be distinguished from polecat tracks. We present a simple discriminant function based on three measurements that can be used to distinguish the tracks of mink and polecats on clay-based tracking plates with classification success greater than 90%. The method could potentially be used in other circumstances.