h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Munchkin would like to point out that he is not saying anything, just thinking aloud. And he is a physicist and computing bod, so knows diddly about animals
That said, yes, I do think there is something to paths. Plenty of animals build and then follow paths from pigs in the jungle to kakapos on their little island. I hazard to guess that it might be something to do with knowing where you are, as much as making it easy to get around. I also think that it is not surprising that some species would make use of paths created by others. Humans use them to get about, as they are (usually) bright enough to get out of the way when needs be and panthers use them as a way of knowing that some food will be along soon.

Yup. It is certainly looking more and more likely that we're onto something here.