Whether out tracking animals or just hiking, bring some Plaster of Paris along so if you run into some great prints on an outdoor excursion, you are sure to have some fun with casting animal tracks. They can be used as souvenirs, extra-credit for school, or as part of a bigger collection of animal prints.
Materials Needed:
- Plaster of Paris
- Ziploc baggies (gallon size), or any container to mix the plaster.
- A tin can (or coffee can) with both ends cut off. The can should be lightly oiled on the inside. You can use a 12” x 2” strip of cardboard as a mold if you don’t have a can.
- Big paper clips
- Water
- Plastic spoons
To make the ends of the can smooth, after the ends are cut off, take a metal spoon and push along the insides of each end pressing the jagged metal against the can.
How to Cast
- When you come across a nicely formed track, carefully remove any twigs or debris in the print.
- Place the can around the track or using the cardboard, form a circle and secure it with a paper clip, then place the cardboard over the print.
- Using one of the Ziploc baggies, put 2 parts plaster to 1 part water (example: if you used 1 cup of plaster, you would use ½ cup of water) in the baggie and mix with a plastic spoon until it reaches a pancake batter consistency. Mix immediately as the plaster sets up fast.
- Pour plaster into the mold by pouring it on the side of the print letting the plaster ooze into the track. If you pour directly onto a track, you could distort it. Fill it to about 1” inside the mold. Don’t add any plaster or water once it starts to set up.
- While the plaster sets up, you can take a paper clip and place it flat about 1/3 of the way into the mold as a hanger if you wish (don’t forget to leave a little of the end sticking out).
- This is the time to add a stick or wire to the back if you want to reinforce the cast.
- Tap on the back of the cast lightly to bring up any air bubbles that could interfere with the cast of the print.
- Leave the mold there for about 1 hour. You can work on other tracks while you wait.
- After 1 hour, lift the mold from opposite sides of the can. Don’t put sticks or anything underneath to help lift it, or it could crack.
- Place it inside a new baggie to take home.
At Home
- Take the mold (with cast) out of the baggie so moisture can escape, letting the cast dry.
- After 24 hours of drying inside the mold, remove cast from mold.
- Clean off dirt and debris by placing it under running water while gently brushing away dirt. Avoid rubbing on the print itself.
- Leave it natural or try painting it. Don't seal over the paint.
It’s good stewardship to leave the things we find in nature where they were found. In casting animal tracks, we have a great way of bringing nature home.
Related Reading
Want to know more about animal tracking and getting closer to wildlife? Check out How to Track Animals and How to Build a Blind For Wildlife Viewing.
Chris McLaughlin - Chris McLaughlin's gardening books include "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Heirloom Vegetables." Check out her complete profile.
