Large tracks along the river

[Deb London]

Amongst the following tracks, I think there are fox prints. But I really thought I could smell otters under the bridge where these shots were taken. Might any of these tracks have been made by an otter?

1. ?

2. ?

3. Fox?

Thanks

[ViperaBerus]

Those are definately fox. The centre one could possibly be otter, but without seeing the surrounding arwea and subsequent tracks, may be fox that has overlayed another print. Got anymore pics?

[Deb London]

Thanks VB.

[ViperaBerus]

Here's a good tip for sorting out fox prints from dogs etc.

If you grap some straight pieces of grass and lie them as an X between the pads, a foxes print will not allow the grasses to cross over pads. Also if you lay one across the top of the outer toe pads, then the front pads should always rest above the line and not protrude below it.

Difficult to show it in the pictures as they are taken at an angle, but you should get an idea from this...



Also depends on the track degredation, but once you have your 'eye-in' to spot this detail, you can easily track foxes along busy woodland paths well used by dogwalkers.

[Deb London]

This is very interesting, VB. Thank you!

[vole-woman]

Originally Posted by ViperaBerus

Here's a good tip for sorting out fox prints from dogs etc.

If you grap some straight pieces of grass and lie them as an X between the pads, a foxes print will not allow the grasses to cross over pads. Also if you lay one across the top of the outer toe pads, then the front pads should always rest above the line and not protrude below it.

Can you show us this with a photo sometime?

[Deb London]

Hi VM - VB has edited my photo - look at the one in VB's post.

[nigel_b]

Originally Posted by ViperaBerus

Here's a good tip for sorting out fox prints from dogs etc.

If you grap some straight pieces of grass and lie them as an X between the pads, a foxes print will not allow the grasses to cross over pads. Also if you lay one across the top of the outer toe pads, then the front pads should always rest above the line and not protrude below it.

Difficult to show it in the pictures as they are taken at an angle, but you should get an idea from this...



Also depends on the track degredation, but once you have your 'eye-in' to spot this detail, you can easily track foxes along busy woodland paths well used by dogwalkers.

Thanks VB, excellent stuff.

[vole-woman]

Oh, thanks, Deb. Must start wearing my glasses for computer work!

[dampflippers]

The middle one could be an otter, but is very indistinct.
Look for 5 toes and an elongated heel.