Prepared to embarass myself....

[alisonclair]

Ok, been for a walk around Woodwalton Fen in Cambridgeshire. Dogs are banned from here. Came across this footprint. Any ideas, or did somebody break the rules????

Ta!

[Oy]

Looks a bit Otter / Mink-ish to me.

I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will be along shortly

[ron1863]

I tend to agree with Oy, looks like an Otter's print, nice one Alisonclair

[alisonclair]

Blimey, and here was me thinking its a dog! Mink sounds more likely. They have been seen here. Will now do research on otters!!!

[alisonclair]

Hoping this will give you more perspective. Have just read that Otters are at Woodwalton Fen. Now that would really make my day. Its funny, because we were walking along the river at the time, and something made a big splash in the water and made us jump. Never did see what it was. If only..........

[The Woodman]

Interesting images and I hope I'm not going to embarrass myself by throwing a badger into the ring. The first image shown has four obvious toes which otters often show and badgers do sometimes. However, although it appears to be a good print in good soft substrate it may not show the fifth toe, it also has very long claw marks which badgers have and otters don't.
The image with the hand (posted after the first) is similar in respect of the long nails.

Thoughts?

[alisonclair]

The plot thickens. I would be happy with any of the three suggestions. Although not sure marshy fen is ideal habitat for the badgers.

[RobSutton]

Originally Posted by The Woodman

Interesting images and I hope I'm not going to embarrass myself by throwing a badger into the ring. The first image shown has four toes which otters have and badgers don't. However, although it appears to be a good print in good soft substrate it may not show the fifth toe, it also has very long claw marks which badgers have and otters don't.
The image with the hand (posted after the first) is similar in respect of the long nails.

Thoughts?

Surely Otters like all Mustelids have five toes??

[Phoebe]

I must agree with Badger it was my first thought when I saw the photo.

[The Woodman]

You are quite right Rob. In the prolonged typing and subsequent wording changes, it all came out as rubbish which you picked up on. I've edited to read hopefully as I meant it to now.

With regard to habitat, alsionclair, I know what you mean but always consider the not so obvious. Badger tracks can be found on the tidal estuary shores near me well away from their ususal habitats. They follow the strand line as do foxes looking for carrion and other stuff to eat.

Prophetic words about embarrassment indeed!