What kind of tracks are these?

[drssg]

Ever had a problem with pack rats ?

I don't know. I have seen a rat on rare occasions, but I could have more than I realize. I know I've had rabbits, woodchucks, raccoons, skunks, and opossums. We also have foxes and coyotes, but they usually stay out of the barn.

 

[rademamj1]

It may just be an otter cutting across your arena. Checking "tracks in snow" reveals otters have a track in snow....that looks similar to yours in the sand. Hope that trail cam solves the mystery.

Stories in the Snow | Mason City & North Iowa | globegazette.com

 

[ruffdog]

A critter hauling it's food will hold it to the side so it doesn't hinder walking. Like a cat pulling a rabbit.

or....deformed or wounded? Maybe, igor the misshapened cat?

 

[ponytug]

Hmmm. I'd guess a weasel, dragging a mouse back to its nest.

I look forward to the trail cam images.

All the best,

Peter

 

[stuckmotor]

The drag path in photo from the first night shows a narrow, deeper drag Mark near the center of the wide one at regular intervals. In the photo from the second visit, the deeper mark seems to continue for a much longer distance. I'm speculating that the critter began to lose it's grip or tired the first night before taking a fresh grip, lifting, and going again. Maybe the first load was heavier requiring more rest periods or regrips.

 

[stuckmotor]

drssg,
Since you have hay stacked on pallets I probably should mention, some years I get around to putting my round bales on cedar poles and once saw a skunk go into the tunnel beneath the bales.

 

[rekees4300]

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?

Raccoon is a good guess. They are active/aggressive all year and they are capable of doing things that are hard to believe.

 

[drssg]

The drag path in photo from the first night shows a narrow, deeper drag Mark near the center of the wide one at regular intervals. In the photo from the second visit, the deeper mark seems to continue for a much longer distance. I'm speculating that the critter began to lose it's grip or tired the first night before taking a fresh grip, lifting, and going again. Maybe the first load was heavier requiring more rest periods or regrips.

Yes, I am also guessing it's some sort of critter dragging its dinner. I see a larger volume of normal-looking tracks that are about the same size as those in the second photo. That would explain the more rare occurrence of the tracks with the drag.

 

[two_bit_score]

Yes, I am also guessing it's some sort of critter dragging its dinner. I see a larger volume of normal-looking tracks that are about the same size as those in the second photo. That would explain the more rare occurrence of the tracks with the drag.

Looking forward to seeing what that trail camera produces.

 

[Gem99ultra]

Pack rats, good idea. Big suckers. And persistent. Here's the engine of my Jeep stored in a barn too long. I moved it 100 feet to another shed and cleaned out the mess. They were back that night rebuilding their nest.

View attachment 685038View attachment 685039

Dang! I don't think I'd want to confront one of those big pack rats! Man-Size.

I'm anxious to see what the trail camera turns up on the critter making the trail though. Drssg, please keep us posted.