What tracks could this be?

[mr dazzler]

When I went to get some firewood I saw these foot prints next to the wood store, any ideas what they might be? A 50p piece would just nicely cover the print, to give an idea of scale. It looked like the culprit went under the shed so I dont think it was a cat....

cheers Jonathan

 

[rancid badger]

Squirrel?

R.B.

 

[shep]

I'd go for squirrel too. 4 claws and well defined pads, right gait by the looks of it. I'll look at the book when I get home from work unless anyone comes up with something definitive.

 

[mr dazzler]

I cant be sure but it seemed to me like it had 5 toes? and sharp claws? Just went out for another look but its melted somehwat and is very unclear now

 

[tjwuk]

Looks like a sqwerl to me as well. If they make tracks like this on my post then its squirrel. http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=51506

 

[mr dazzler]

Thanks for your sudgetions I do see squirells fairly often, but up till now, never that close to the house. I supose it could of been a rat, I see them from time to time as well (dont tell Mrs D )

 

[SOAR]

If the tracks are all over the place its a squirrel, if its around boundries and against walls it will be a rat, they like to keep themselves against walls to protect themselves from attack.

 

[Adze]

Just found this with a bit of googlefu:

Big rat? Small squirrel? Not an enormous difference between the two, just more evidence that grey squirrels are just rats with a cuter outfit and a better PR man.

 

[zorro]

Could be a young fox?

 

[mr dazzler]

I will keep a lookout to see if it returns....
cheers Jonathan

 

[Laughoutlouder]

Looks like 5 toes so wouldnt fit with squirrell if thats the case.
Either cat ot martin with 5 i would guess.

 

[FerlasDave]

Just looked in my guide and it looks to me like it could be a hedgehog.

 

[Laughoutlouder]

Just looked in my guide and it looks to me like it could be a hedgehog.

Interesting! Never thought of that

 

[mr dazzler]

I need to get a video cctv. Last night I think we had a fox run in and back out again judging by the tracks. I could see where it took off and leaped up onto a step. It went under some trees in the hedge then turned round and went back out. The tracks looked too big heavy and deep to be a cat's. I followed them out to the front, I could see where there were scratches where it dug something from under the snow, each scratch was a band of lines gouged in, about 2 inches wide, you could see the claw lines very clearly.

 

[Weesi]

I did think hedgehog but this cold would be too much for them. They'd also not find any grubs or the likes at this time of year. Might be one with a death wish lol
Probably a fox as said before....

Simon

 

[gowersponger]

i would go with young fox

 

[Bushwhacker]

Foxes don't have young at this time of year.

 

[wolf_diver]

What about polecat stoat or weasel????

 

[FerlasDave]

I did think hedgehog but this cold would be too much for them. They'd also not find any grubs or the likes at this time of year. Might be one with a death wish lol
Probably a fox as said before....

Simon

Do they not wake up every now and then during winter to empty themselves and fluff up the pillows etc? Im sure other mammals do.

 

[Wolfie]

i would go with young fox

Fox has 4 digits not five