Animal print identification

frequent_flyer

Registered User

Arizona, USA

• Aug 18, 2022

• #1

Does any one know what animal made this print? Environment is central AZ near Verde river. My index finger tip to thumb tip about 8 inches (edit - relaxed hand as in photo is about 6.5 inch index to thumb) . Track was not continuous, maybe 2 or 3 only where the wet gravel had just the right consistency.

 

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Last edited: Aug 18, 2022

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OLDCROWE

FRIEND

Meanwhile,...

• Aug 18, 2022

• #2

No claws showing so not K9, I'm thinking young lion or Bob Cat.

 

frequent_flyer

Registered User

Arizona, USA

• Aug 18, 2022

• #3

OLDCROWE said:

No claws showing so not K9, I'm thinking young lion or Bob Cat.

Click to expand...

I was thinking Bobcat too but there is no rear central pad showing. I imagined the cat at the edge of the flooded area testing the ground with an extended paw.

I have heard a least one report of a mountain lion sighting in this area but it wasn't recent.

 

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1934A

SPONSOR

SE Montana

• Aug 18, 2022

• #4

Sure doesn't look like a cat track to me, not rpund enough. How big are the coyotes in that area? Claws don't always show in a k9 track, my money is on it being a domestic dog, or a 40lb+ coyote.

 

frequent_flyer

Registered User

Arizona, USA

• Aug 18, 2022

• #5

I edited the hand size reference in the original post. Relaxed hand as in photo is more like 6.5 inches between thumb and index finger. That makes the print about 2.2 inches wide. Seems a bit too big for a Bobcat but about right for a Coyote. I had previously eliminated coyote because no claws showing.

Thanks for the suggestions. Maybe I'll see the critter one day and have the long lens on the camera.

 

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Oliver

Registered User

• Aug 18, 2022

• #6

Looks like a fox,

 

wireweinie

FOUNDER

Palmer, AK

• Aug 18, 2022

• #7

El Hefe?

Web

 

soyAnarchisto

MEMBER

Boulder, CO

• Aug 18, 2022

• #8

chupacabra for sure

 

BC12D-4-85

SPONSOR

Fairbanks, AK.

• Aug 18, 2022

• #9

Set up a game camera and find out. They are popular for this.

Gary

 

wireweinie

FOUNDER

Palmer, AK

• Aug 18, 2022

• #10

BC12D-4-85 said:

Set up a game camera and find out. They are popular for this.

Gary

Click to expand...

I agree. It would be cool to find the animal. Whatever animal it is.

Web

 

BC12D-4-85

SPONSOR

Fairbanks, AK.

• Aug 18, 2022

• #11

Some of those cameras also work in dark and then send pics or video via cell to you if in range. https://www.cabelas.com/r/shop/en/game-cameras-trail-cameras#numberOfResults=32 Also good to have at home or business to catch porch thieves.

Gary

 

skywagon8a

MEMBER

SE Mass MA6

• Aug 19, 2022

• #12

soyAnarchisto said:

chupacabra for sure

Click to expand...

Absolutely!

 

spinner2

MEMBER

Montana

• Aug 19, 2022

• #13

soyAnarchisto said:

chupacabra for sure

Click to expand...

that’s a mythical creature isn’t it?

im thinking Bigfoot.

 

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OzAK

FRIEND

Fairbanks, AK

• Aug 23, 2022

• #14

Oliver said:

Looks like a fox,

Click to expand...

I have to agree. The canids have bigger feet than a lot of people realize. I’ve watched foxes just being foxes, hunting and such, and after they’ve passed by gone and investigated their tracks specifically for the purpose of getting a size reference. A foxes “dainty” little leg is disproportionate to the size of their feet. And no, especially depending on the terrain they live in, their claws don’t always show. Rough, rocky terrain will keep their claws worn down to the point they’ll rarely if ever show. Based on the finger in the picture, looks to be about two inches long or just a bit more…easily within the realm of a mature adult fox.
Could possibly be a young coyote I suppose also.

Oz