What kind of tracks are these?

[drssg]

I live in southern Ohio, and I found these tracks in my barn. The footing is loose sand, so it doesn't take too much pressure to dig a little furrow. I initially thought the animal was dragging a kill in its mouth, but the trail covers a long and meandering path.

Any ideas? An obese raccoon?

 

[two_bit_score]

Armadillo? Their tails drag and leave a track like that. I couldn’t see the foot prints very well in the picture.

 

[two_bit_score]

This guy got a pretty good picture in sand of the tail drag from an armadillo.

Flickr

 

[oosik]

Where are any foot prints off on each side of the "drag" mark?

 

[drssg]

That track looks rather similar, but I've never heard of an armadillo in Ohio.

 

[drssg]

Where are any foot prints off on each side of the "drag" mark?

Yes, I also thought that was strange. Maybe they are inside the "drag" and got filled in?

 

[oosik]

Horrid thought - what makes a drag mark like pictured, with no foot prints. A REALLY BIG snake ............

 

[Jstpssng]

I'm not sure why people are saying "no footprints" because I sure see enough of them in that picture. If it was on snow I would say an otter, they like to lay on their bellies and push along with their hind legs. How far apart are the footprints, both lateral and along the drag marks?

 

[two_bit_score]

Yes, I also thought that was strange. Maybe they are inside the "drag" and got filled in?

They are usually on each side of the tail drag.


Also too straight of a line for a snake.

 

[Big Chief]

Big foot tracks....!!!

 

[Big Chief]

Sorry couldn't help myself

 

[stuckmotor]

The evenly spaced ridges on either side of the drag mark are interesting. Were they made by a tracked vehicle?

 

[Xfaxman]

Snow Cat:

 

[drssg]

The evenly spaced ridges on either side of the drag mark are interesting. Were they made by a tracked vehicle?

This area is a horseback riding arena, and I regularly drag it with a chain harrow.

 

[stuckmotor]

This area is a horseback riding arena, and I regularly drag it with a chain harrow.

Is it possible the drag mark was made by some trash caught in the chain harrow and had nothing to do with the tracks?

 

[drssg]

Is it possible the drag mark was made by some trash caught in the chain harrow and had nothing to do with the tracks?

I don't think so. The harrow drag pattern is completely different from the path of the tracks.

 

[drssg]

I'm not sure why people are saying "no footprints" because I sure see enough of them in that picture. If it was on snow I would say an otter, they like to lay on their bellies and push along with their hind legs. How far apart are the footprints, both lateral and along the drag marks?

I think I can see some footprints on the right side of the drag mark, but I don't really see them on the left side.

I didn't measure the tracks before I destroyed them with the chain harrow. For perspective, the ridges from the chain harrow are about 4-5" apart.

 

[rademamj1]

It's a Mice highway and their swinging tails remove all tracks. That's my story and I am sticking with it.

 

[stuckmotor]

Unless more tracks appear or the creature turns it's self in, I'm afraid this mystery will remain unsolved.

 

[rademamj1]

How about installing a trail cam, just to see if whoever took the shortcut comes back. Everyone is mighty curious.