Possible otter footprint?

[Feral Rob]

Could I get peoples opinions on the bigger footprints shown in this image. They are recorded from beside the River Don in central Sheffield. I think it is a bit unclear but suspect they may be otter. It was an area of bank that would be difficult for dogs to access.

Thanks,

[Dogghound]

Yes an otter, you can see 5 digits, although it seems to have another footprint over it making it harder to make out. The print on the left isnt a rat. It looks more like a small mustelid. Hard to say without a size.

[Donstalker]

I will get some better pics, I was fishing at the time and trampled the best of them not quite registering how out of place they were. I will keep my eyes open for spraints too, to confirm the presence of an Otter in such an unlikley place.

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by Donstalker

the presence of an Otter in such an unlikley place.

Otters are very common in urban areas so not to much of an unlikely place.

[Mike H]

Yes Otters are becoming quite common in city centres etc. For example we get them in the centre of Bristol near to the new shopping centre.

In fact we are trying to sort out a survey to see just where they are in Bristol and how they get there (check out Gloucestershire Mammal Group - Bristol Otter Project if you are interested)

Amazing where they can get though. On one of the sites I check we get spraint on a ledge under the bridge that must need a rope and pitons to get up to! (Or maybe just very good aim when looking over their shoulders!)

Also had Otter prints in one of the Mink Rafts I check on the River Cam. That must have been one very tight squeeze for an Otter!

Mike

[Tracey.A]

Hi Loz, what an amazing find Great to know that you have found otter prints and their spraints

Feral Rob, the small foot print in your pic looks like a water vole to me, Vole-woman will be able to let you know for sure. If I remember right their prints can be confused with rat prints, because rats feet can become splayed in the soft mud. Still think it's a water vole Well I'm hoping it is

Tracey