What animal owns these tracks?

[Rare Feathers Farm]

Quote:
Julie, THANK YOU!!!! Okay they look NOTHING like fisher tracks and the paws were not together like that!


Im thikning bobcat now for sure...i just dont understand the claws out on flat ground thing but now i see it as a possibility!!!!!!


THANK YOU!!!

Maybe the snow was slipperly? Or icy? And it was having trouble getting traction?

 

[conny63malies]

I thought they look like skunk tracks
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44609302@N00/2327199445/

 

[monarc23]

Quote:
I wish it was just a cute skunkie....(not so cute when they go after your birds but i still thikn they're cute) the toes arent long like that. Plus if it was a skunk, that'd be the worlds biggest skunk

thanks though

 

[monarc23]

Quote:
Julie, THANK YOU!!!! Okay they look NOTHING like fisher tracks and the paws were not together like that!


Im thikning bobcat now for sure...i just dont understand the claws out on flat ground thing but now i see it as a possibility!!!!!!


THANK YOU!!!

Maybe the snow was slipperly? Or icy? And it was having trouble getting traction?

the snow has been very slippy lately....i hope so bad that you're right on the bobcat thing and now after looking at tracks....i hope i hope it IS a bobcat.

 

[lorieMN]

Quote:
Maybe the snow was slipperly? Or icy? And it was having trouble getting traction?

the snow has been very slippy lately....i hope so bad that you're right on the bobcat thing and now after looking at tracks....i hope i hope it IS a bobcat.

I had a siamese cat that could not retract her claws..she was born without that part I guess..they were always out,,even when she slept..

 

[monarc23]

I went back out and looked, followed the tracks somemore (took more pictures too) it walks just like a cat does...AND i found a few that did not have paws extended!!! I thikn we've found a winner! Very odd it's been hanging around with my cats.....hiding in the same places they do...and it even came near the porch. It's defifnatly not a domestic house cat...but i think it may think its one

PHEW!!!!! I'll take a bobcat anyday over a fisher.

 

[lizardz]

Glad it's not a Fischer, but be warned that bobcats will eat your chickens, too. We have one around here that's taken about six of my hens (seems to prefer the BO) over the last year. Has only taken them when they've been out free-ranging, but it's been enough. Also, when our beagle was a puppy, she got out and when she returned she had puncture marks on her butt. The vet said it looked like they were made by bobcat claws and we were lucky to still have a dog. You may want to keep a close eye on your kittys, because bobcats have been known to take them, too. And, they do hunt during daylight. Good luck. I hope it's just passing through.
Liz

 

[Big Red's Mom]

I live in Mississippi and we have seen more Bob cats this year than before. While in the woods hunting my husband said he was to busy watching the Bob cats (very large ones) going after rabbits and even a Goose to actually watch for deer. My brother had one try to climb the tree he was sitting in while hunting. They have been super active and very visible this year. Good luck keeping your kitties and birds safe.

 

[CTChickenMom]

Here is what I found:
Bobcat

"Bobcats walk in an alternating pattern (See Track Patterns), making prints about twice the size of a house cat's (2 to 2.5" long). Tracks could be confused with coyote or fox tracks -- for bobcat, look for lack of claw marks, prints as wide as or wider than long, and lack of foot drag marks. As with lynx, hind legs sink in deep snow to make a "handle" at the back of the print. Bobcat trails meander rather than run directly. See tracking patterns below."

I was sure you had large cat prints, my Max weighs in at nearly 18 pounds. His front paw measures 1 1/2" by 3" (tip of paw to thumb pad) but cat species don't walk with claws out. Dog species however do. (http://www.bear-tracker.com/caninevsfeline.html). The prints are quite small, fishers and wolverines have chevron shaped feet. Lynx pads don't register in snow. Fox prints are longer than wide, that said, check out this fox print...http://www.bear-tracker.com/foxbykc.jpg. Skunks have more pads showing.

I vote for fox. They are solitary and have small prints shaped like a domestic dog.

 

[redhen]

we have a fisher here....my husband has seen him in our backyard in a tree..and crossing the road once at dusk...and the neighbors have seen him also....