Okay, game cam is ordered from Walmart, but won't get here for a few days. But i put the camera part of the baby monitor on the ground in the pen and getting much better reception. Moving the monitor around so i can watch it while i watch tv tonight. i swept the dirt area smooth, then used a sifter to sift white flour all over the ground. Then i set the rat trap under the flap of that blanket with peanut butter inside.
I agree with those who say tracks too straight to be snake. I don't think it's even possible for a snake to make tracks like that..
My guess is toad or a big frog like a bull frog? Flat areas being from the belly when it lands.
At least to me it looks like something hopping along or something that likes to lightly dig frequently...
Look close and see if you can see different set of marks that seem to go along those 'drag marks', either right to the sides or in between the drags. If it's a toad, maybe be able to see toe/foot prints...
I agree that the tracks ARE pretty straight for a snake, but I have seen some really straight snake marks. I agree it's NOT a sidewinder. Those are usually only found out in the desert.
Snake tracks normally have obvious raised edges where the snake had to push against the ground. Those are obvious in the first above link. Sometimes you can even see streaks left by individual pebbles or larger dirt grains caused by the snake pushing them 'across' the ground. If that is present, would agree snake. Press finger against the dirt and push to one side to see what it looks like, more or less.
Not to be critical, it could be the pictures are too far back and bit on ambiguous side to clearly see all the signs if it really is snake. It looks to me from the pictures there's no 'sweep' or any drag mark at all between the drag marks as if the ground is completely undisturbed between those drag marks. That is why I wondered if it's something that hops. However if there IS some disturbance between the drag marks, it could very well be a snake not exactly having an easy time getting across the flat terrain.. slide forward, bunch up the body into S shapes(making those drag mark patches) then slide forward, repeat. That normally leaves a clear 'line' (either from neck going forward and/or tail drag) between some of the drag mark patches though... also look close to see if there's any straighter and narrower track line close to the fence and the hole it seemed to be going for.
And I love toads too! Especially the new little baby toads.. so perfectly round and not yet acquired the 'grumpy gus' faces..
p.s. sorry, love snakes too. But we won't talk too much of them here for you okay?