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Random Track, for real- help with ID?
- Chamois
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12 years 7 months ago #210187
by Chamois
Replied by Chamois on topic Re: Random Track, for real- help with ID?
It's a small bear. Five toes showing on both feet, longer back foot. Marmots have four toes showing on front, five back.
Plus I'd hate to see the size of the marmot that made 4-5 inch long tracks. With my luck he'd find my pack and luch when I went up for another lap.
Plus I'd hate to see the size of the marmot that made 4-5 inch long tracks. With my luck he'd find my pack and luch when I went up for another lap.
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- Ken M
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12 years 7 months ago #210188
by Ken M
Replied by Ken M on topic Re: Random Track, for real- help with ID?
Yeah, small bear is closer to the size of creature I would expect to be making tracks almost as big as my hands- the elongated back of the foot looked more like weasel family prints to me, whereas bear pads are usually more similar in shape to dog tracks- but it might just get that shape when it's running in softish snow and it sinks in a bit before it pushes off again.
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- Gary Vogt
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12 years 7 months ago #210189
by Gary Vogt
Replied by Gary Vogt on topic Re: Random Track, for real- help with ID?
Interesting thread! My first reaction to the photos was 'bear'. Try Google Images and search for "wolverine (or otter, or bear) tracks in snow". What stood out for me is the 'diagonal stagger' of the wolverine, where the axis of one set of four tracks was seldom parallel to the travelway axis.
River otter tracks I've seen in powder were close to circular, a bit smaller, and show the classic weasel-family paired track, where the hind feet mostly land on the front prints. They also tend to be blurred by belly drag if the snow is very deep or soft. The OP location & elevation don't seem right for otter either, though I spent several days last December tracking one around Reflection Lake at MRNP, even up drainages onto Mazama Ridge at over 5000 feet. Never actually saw it, but it was cool to see how it would go down one creek hole and come back out another. I think perhaps it was after frogs.
That would be a truly formidable marmot to leave tracks that large! I once had a marmot destroy my pack straps for the salt while I was lapping Hurricane Hill. Three miles is a long way back with chute cord shoulder straps; I always keep my pack with me since.
River otter tracks I've seen in powder were close to circular, a bit smaller, and show the classic weasel-family paired track, where the hind feet mostly land on the front prints. They also tend to be blurred by belly drag if the snow is very deep or soft. The OP location & elevation don't seem right for otter either, though I spent several days last December tracking one around Reflection Lake at MRNP, even up drainages onto Mazama Ridge at over 5000 feet. Never actually saw it, but it was cool to see how it would go down one creek hole and come back out another. I think perhaps it was after frogs.
...I'd hate to see the size of the marmot that made 4-5 inch long tracks. With my luck he'd find my pack and luch when I went up for another lap.
That would be a truly formidable marmot to leave tracks that large! I once had a marmot destroy my pack straps for the salt while I was lapping Hurricane Hill. Three miles is a long way back with chute cord shoulder straps; I always keep my pack with me since.
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- Randito
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12 years 7 months ago #210194
by Randito
Replied by Randito on topic Re: Random Track, for real- help with ID?
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- Griff
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12 years 7 months ago #210195
by Griff
LOL!!!!
Replied by Griff on topic Re: Random Track, for real- help with ID?
yeti for sure.
LOL!!!!
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- Ken M
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12 years 7 months ago #210204
by Ken M
Replied by Ken M on topic Re: Random Track, for real- help with ID?
The river otter idea is interesting. The dimensions and shape of paws and gait add up (for a big otter), though I would think the tail might register more in deep snow. They say otters will travel overland on the route between water sources, but this location seems like a pretty odd route to get to any water source.
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