Anybody know what makes these tracks?

[heronz]

Isn't the greatest picture but had to take it fast because the snow was melting.
It has long claws and was apparently chasing after a rat whose tracks where just ahead of it.
Measured 2 inches wide at the widest part.

 

[ThornyRidge]

yeah.. hard to see... mink? coon? possum? those would be my guesses. All bad news for a flock!

 

[tellynpeep]

We really need something for scale. Also, the pattern of the tracks is important...not just the individual print. Could be any of those previously mentioned.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Only a Mink is fast enough to try and chase a Rat

 

[bluebirdnanny]

I think Opossum. There are many here and tracks all the time. They my be sniffing out and following a trail of a mouse... I have watched it happen many times as I've sat in my deer blind or just in the woods near dark. The others mentioned don't normally have their claws extended in walking/searching.

In melting snow the tracks can be quite changed and appear different size than they are.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Quote: Possums have unique prints in that they have opposable "thumbs" and long. skinny toes





I still think it's a Mink, or other Weasel:

 

[heronz]

These do look like the ones here.
I just hope it's not another fisher cat-but sure minks are just as aggressive with the chickens and need to go.

 

[retlaw]

Minks , fishers, weasels, etc hop when they run, meaning their foot prints would be beside each other with long gaps in between the sets.
The farther the gap between the sets the bigger the animal.
Melting snow can make the animal seem way bigger then it is.

 

[bluebirdnanny]

Melting snow can make the animal seem way bigger then it is.

That is what I was trying to say! You worded it better.