Unknown critter tracks

[BruceK]

Woke up this morning to find a huge number of prints in the snow that I don't recognize. If it's a dog I sure do not want to meet up with it! A photo of the prints (contrast heavily adjusted in PhotoShop) can be seen here http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...PawPrints1.jpg

Note that I live in upstate NY about 20 miles SE of Rochester.

Any ideas? I have some thoughts but am looking for suggestions from people that are far more knowledgeable than I about these things.

[Highland Logan]

Looks like it could be coyote



Frank

[BruceK]

Could be. But although it's hard to tell in that photo I didn't really see any signs of claws.

[Highland Logan]

I didn't really see any signs of claws.

True... but for general shape and size it's a close match. It could be a large Bobcat, but it would have to be bigger than most, and the toes don't seem to match. These pictures are just a rough guide, and none well ever look "just like" the picture.

Frank

[Larry124]

From:
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/...ture/track.htm

Four toes on each of the front and hind feet means you're looking at a track from the dog family (fox, wolf, coyote, neighborhood dog), the cat family (bobcat, lynx, neighborhood cat) or the rabbit family (cottontail or snowshoe hare). Does the paw print have small triangular marks in front of it? If yes, those are claw marks. Raccoons, skunks, coyotes, foxes, and dogs will often leave claw marks. Cats, on the other hand, retract their claws when they walk or run. So, you won't usually find claw marks with bobcats, lynx, or house cats.

Four toes on the front foot and five toes on the hind foot means it's a rodent (mice, voles, chipmunks, squirrels, woodchucks, muskrat, porcupine).

[Arlen]

Looks to me very much like the fox tracks I often see here, but bigger.

[JamesA]

My first guess at looking at them was either a dog or coyote. They look similar to what we find down by the river most of the time.

JamesA

[BruceK]

That's what I thought at first too but there are no indications of claws. Just the footpads. FWIW there have been rumours lately of a large cat or two (mountain lion) roaming the area...

[kilted in seattle]

I'm thinking you had a couple of gnomes sitting around in the snow.

[Erisianmonkey]

That's what I thought at first too but there are no indications of claws. Just the footpads. FWIW there have been rumours lately of a large cat or two (mountain lion) roaming the area...

My first thought was a medium sized mountain lion.