Topic

Need help identifying animal tracks in snow.

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Travis L BPL Member
PostedMar 6, 2012 at 9:03 am

These were taken this past saturday in Wisconsin. I'm not sure if it is a wolf or cougar track. There is a large population of wolves in the area, and a cougar has been spotted in the area, but cougars are really rare here.

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PostedMar 6, 2012 at 9:23 am

In your top picture, it looks like there might be evidence of a claw–mountain lion tracks don't show claws. But it's hard to rule out mountain lion given the quality of your pictures. The tracks are about as wide as long (which would suggest cat), and there aren't obvious claw marks. Also, it looks like the animal was directly registering (i.e. the front left foot stepped almost exactly where the front right one did), which is also something that cats usually do and dogs/wolves don't.

Got any better pictures?

Travis L BPL Member
PostedMar 6, 2012 at 9:27 am

Sorry Scott, these are the only two I have. I was surprised at how far apart the tracks were, which as you suggest points to direct registering. The prints were almost 3 feet apart.

PostedMar 6, 2012 at 9:47 am

By the general shape (no index digit, middle digits about equal length), and hint of claw in top photo, I'd guess canine, But if the print are one ontop of the other from a feline it would look about the same. Hard to say.

Kattt BPL Member
PostedMar 6, 2012 at 12:22 pm

"Not lynx?"

That would be a very large lynx, at 3 feet apart.

PostedMar 6, 2012 at 12:46 pm

Just asking because I have seen Canadian Lynx near that area and they can be up to 41 inches.
lynx

Nick Gatel BPL Member
PostedMar 6, 2012 at 1:22 pm

"By the general shape (no index digit, middle digits about equal length), and hint of claw in top photo, I'd guess canine, But if the print are one ontop of the other from a feline it would look about the same. Hard to say"

Agree.

PostedMar 6, 2012 at 2:29 pm

Looking at the second picture again, the tracks look more elongated than in the single picture above. And I can sort of see claw marks. I'd vote canid now, too, but tracking is an art, not a science.

Travis L BPL Member
PostedMar 6, 2012 at 7:17 pm

The person who sort of oversees the Wisconsin DNR's role in wolf pack study says this is a wolf track. That jives with most opinions on here. Thanks everyone!

Luke Schmidt BPL Member
PostedMar 6, 2012 at 7:21 pm

I'm thinking wolf too. Partly the track but also the pacing. Tracks can be confussing but often a look at the pace of the tracks clears things up.

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