Hunters, Trackers--What is This?

[InTheLight]

Was walking past the basement patio door and saw some animal tracks outside in the snow. (Yes, snow!)

I didn't think much of it until my brain registered that there were only two paw prints, as in one left and one right foot, as if the creature were bipedal and walking on two legs, not four. I'm going to guess it was someone's house cat, but how do you account for only two prints? In a couple of instances it appears that there may be two prints inside of one, so do cats purposely walk in their own paw prints (hind feet landing in front feet tracks?) Country folk, please educate this suburban dweller.




Closer view:

 

[Reynolds]

Was walking past the basement patio door and saw some animal tracks outside in the snow. (Yes, snow!)

I didn't think much of it until my brain registered that there were only two paw prints, as in one left and one right foot, as if the creature were bipedal and walking on two legs, not four. I'm going to guess it was someone's house cat, but how do you account for only two prints? In a couple of instances it appears that there may be two prints inside of one, so do cats purposely walk in their own paw prints (hind feet landing in front feet tracks?) Country folk, please educate this suburban dweller.

View attachment 3332


Closer view:


View attachment 3334

I say bobcat.

 

[Revmitchell]

Racoon

 

[Reynolds]

Racoon

A coon will have distinct, very long, claw impressions. A coon rarely ever steps in its own track.

 

[Rob_BW]

Yeah, cats step in their own prints.

Polydactyl cat is my guess.

 

[Revmitchell]

A coon will have distinct, very long, claw impressions. A coon rarely ever steps in its own track.

Yea i thought about your second point after i posted it

 

[Rob_BW]

The angle of the shot does kinda make the toes look elongated.

 

[InTheLight]

Yeah, cats step in their own prints.

That's good to know, because I was freaking out!

 

[Rob_BW]

That's good to know, because I was freaking out!

When walking they also use both feet on side, both left then both right. Not the ambling gait like horses or most other four legged critters. Running is front and back.

 

[Hollow Man]

It's a cat.

 

[Reformed1689]

Come on guys, the aliens finally arrived!

 

[Reformed1689]

Come on guys, the aliens finally arrived!

Calvinist aliens.

 

[Deacon]

Last Thursday

 

[InTheLight]

Yes, that is a coyote in my back yard. This was about 2 weeks ago.

 

[Deacon]

Coyotes should keep the cat population in check.

Red Foxes on the other hand are spooked by cats.

I’ve got four foxes (and that cat) that regularly take turns catching little critters in the backyard.

Rob