Page 2 of 2

Re: Animal tracks?

Posted: November 25th, 2019, 6:22 pm
by pcg
retired jerry wrote:
November 24th, 2019, 9:26 pm
No toenails present.
The other tracks I saw, coyote?, had toenails
Jerry, the presence of nails is not a reliable criteria. It is a common myth that canine tracks always show nails and feline tracks never do. It is not unusual for canine tracks to not show nails, and it is also not unusual for feline tracks to show them. Gray foxes actually have semi-retractable claws and almost never show, but this is not a gray fox track. Morphology (shape and structure of toe and heel pads) is wrong for both gray and red fox. These are either coyote tracks or a dog that makes tracks like a coyote (which some dogs do). Given that the tracks were in a remote area and (I assume) were not accompanied by human tracks, the tracks you posted are coyote tracks.

Re: Animal tracks?

Posted: November 25th, 2019, 6:30 pm
by pcg
Blazersin7 wrote:
November 24th, 2019, 10:11 pm
Wish I had taken more time to capture a better pic but I was tired and trying to beat sunset. Tracks weren't there on my climb up, only the descent. I'll post 2 more pics I took from my video clips. I unfortunately doubt it will confirm anyone's beliefs but oh well. There was a thin layer of soft ice on about 1'-1'6". I couldn't see much detail in the footprint when hovering above. Here are 2 more snaps and the lighting sucks
Yeah, not much help - really need some scale, as well as better pics. No matter though, I'm convinced those are feline. If the diameter of the holes was 3" to 6" (holes in snow will be substantially larger than the tracks) I'm pretty sure that is bobcat. The larger holes are direct register - hind foot stepped where front foot just was. The smaller holes are tracks from single feet.

Re: Animal tracks?

Posted: November 26th, 2019, 9:02 am
by pcg
Here's some photos of bobcat tracks I took on Harts Pass last fall.
Direct register walk coming up a hill in fresh snow...
PA040944.jpg
Closeup of a single-register track at top of hill...
PA040975.jpg
Same bobcat on wind-blown hardpack on hilltop. Note how it's moving its front feet around lightly and indecisively. I surmise it's moving its nose around as well, investigating scents in the air, and trying to decide where to go next.
PA040987.jpg
Here's what he was after...
2018-Harts Pass - snowshoe hare-11.JPG