It is a pity that you have not provided a reference for this line. It seems suited to either a poem or other literary genre with possibly a military theme. The word 'tank' in this instance is probably a reference to a military tank.
What makes these tracks unique is the fact that they are made by vehicles that use a continuous band for propulsion. The treads are made up of smaller rubber or steel plates which are attached to each other and form a continuous tread driven by two or more wheels. As such, these treads leave a very distinct mark on whatever soft surface they are driven and are, therefore, easily identifiable.
The reference in the above quote is most likely a reference to the marks impressed upon a surface when one or more of these tanks was driven over it. The 'snake riddle' is a metaphor in which the tracks are compared to the marks left behind by a snake as it slithers over a soft surface. Since there are many such tracks, it is difficult to determine where they start and where they end as there is a confusing array of markings, probably crisscrossing each other numerous times, which explains the 'riddle' part of the quote.
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