[StuartDH]

If you have any pictures of animal tracks please post them here. It would be great to see what animal tracks are found in your part of the world and how they compare to other species.

[SittingFox]

To anyone who doubts that wolves have big feet



(I admit that this is cheating as I'm not Canadian, but I thought that this thread needed a boost)

[Ivy]

I found some interesting animal tracks on the banks of a creek bed near my home in Virginia this past spring. There are healthy populations of fox and racoon in this particular stretch of woods but these prints seem rather on the large size.

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...ili/track3.jpg

Close-Ups. Placed a quarter to show approximate size.
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...ili/track1.jpg
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...ili/track2.jpg

Any ideas?

[sxtaceytoys]

We bought property in Missouri & when we are there I like to get up early in the morning & take a ride down the lane to see what kind of animals have been around. Well in July I came across these really wierd prints, I have never seen animal prints like this before. I took pictures of the only tracks I saw & they were right by the side of the lane. One of the pictures is a close up of the other pic. Can anyone help me with what might have made these?? Or point me in the direction where someone else might know? Nobody I've shown these to has any clue at all. Here are the links to the pictures.

[sxtaceytoys]

Here is another set (the only ones I saw) that we don't know what they are either. This pic is actual size.

[Jason at Alderleaf]

Hello,

Great mystery track photos. My name is Jason. I am a wildlife biologist and I also teach wildlife tracking courses.

Not sure if you got answers yet on the mystery track photos you posted a while back or not, but thought I'd chime in since I don't see any replies.

The first mystery tracks posted (dated 07.06.2007) are from a raccoon (Procyon lotor). Raccoons have long finger-like toes on both the front and hind feet, very small claws, and large heel pads. The larger foot is the hind foot (shown in the your close-up photo). It is using its unique raccoon walking gait (where the front foot registers next to the opposite hind foot). On a raccoon, the smallest toe is on the inside of the foot (which makes the close-up track photo a left hind foot).

The other track photo posted (dated 03.24.07) is from a cottontail (Sylvaligus spp.). Not sure which specific cottontail you have in Missouri, potentially the eastern cottontail. Your photo is showing the two hind feet. Cottontails have four toes with claws on both fronts and hinds, and often do not show much of a heel pad (unless in snow).

Hope this helps.

If you're interested in learning more about wildlife tracking you can visit Alderleaf Wilderness College - Center for Traditional Ecological Knowledge. There is a whole section of online articles dedicated to wildlife tracks and sign, as well as a free eNewsletter.

Happy tracking,

Jason
-----------------------------------------

Jason Knight
Alderleaf Wilderness College
Alderleaf Wilderness College - Center for Traditional Ecological Knowledge
jason@wildernesscollege.com

[goosey]

Hi Jason, welcome to Wild about the World.
Your ID's are rather impressive and interesting. I didn't actually know what a Cottontail was, being from this side of the Atlantic, so just had to Google it! At least I knew what a racoon was .
I look forward to seeing any more of your posts and photographs, tracking, plants for medicine and survival - fascinating stuff .

[ericrovve]

A nice thread. I'll try to get some wild boar and roe-deer prints when the weather lets up. Meanwhile, on my terrace this morning, evidence of intruders:



There's been a puffed-up robin around, but plenty of others, tits, chaffinches...
The robin is unusual as they mainly drift down towards the coast in winter.