We often follow paths and trails but probably don’t think too much about where they came from or why they are there. Most early human trails probably followed animal trails. Why? Animal trails would have sought the literal path of least resistance. Animals are all about conserving energy–their own energy!
By choosing a route that doesn’t encounter a lot of resistance, whether it be large boulders, briars, holes in the ground, mud holes, etc. these natural paths often made good tracks, paths and eventually roads for people, too. Most animal trails would also eventually lead to water, too.
Not all trails are readily visible to our eyes, however.
These trails were made under the bark of the tree (when the tree still had bark) and have only been exposed after both the animal and the bark is gone. Do you know who the animal might be?