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.

 

[drssg]

Will do. I haven't seen anything the first two nights. In addition to checking the game cam, I've been checking for drag marks that were out of range of the camera.

 

[drssg]

Just a small update, I've been getting some footage of a skunk traveling along the same path that I saw the furrow tracks. So far, this skunk hasn't done anything unusual, and he just leaves behind normal skunk footprints, but I'm keeping an eye on him.

 

[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.

Ah ha!

 

[JethroB]

Just a small update, I've been getting some footage of a skunk traveling along the same path that I saw the furrow tracks. So far, this skunk hasn't done anything unusual, and he just leaves behind normal skunk footprints, but I'm keeping an eye on him.

Maybe Pepe le Pew dragging home his latest feline girlfriend?

 

[drssg]

Ha! Pepe would get "cancelled" hard these days. No means no! :laughing:

 

[PILOON]

Rather ironic as today I saw very similar tracks but in my case on snow.
Paw prints were somewhat more spaced apart (suggesting whatever was in the12 inch long size) but had that same 'dragging something' appearance.
I was able to determine that whatever critter it had paw 'pads' and fingers like print as the snow left perfect imprints, paws were slightly larger than one inch and clearly indicating a slender animal by the spacing lt/rt.

Now around here they could have been beaver, nope,
raccoon-possible but the 'drag'? nope, besides to early for them to be out.
Otter? don't know
Muskrat? don't think so but maybe.
Porcupine? maybe other than the dragging something.

Also this critter walked down the street and wandering somewhat from side to side.
I'll add that I also observed same style last spring but they were all in straight line following the snow berms.

LOL, the joke might be on me if it was a neighbors dog dragging his leash, but dragging off to one side?
Also the tracks started from the waterfront and onto the roadway, travelled a bit and crossed over to the forest.

Nope, I wont set up a webcam but perhaps take my camera to capture the tracks.
Problem might be definition of white prints on white snow.

 

[Toyboy]

I had a similar track last spring in the snow go through my yard. Except in my case the drag mark was between to foot prints and never varied. Turned out to be a muskrat. It had come a long way when backtracking it. But it ended up in a small pond on my property. Maybe stayed a week and moved on to parts unknown looking for love.

 

[goeduck]

I think it is one of those illusive immature pallets

 

[Wagtail]

Maybe Pepe le Pew dragging home his latest feline girlfriend?

View attachment 685417

Trivia: Pepe's girlfriend was "Penelope Pussycat".

I learnt this when deciding on my female 'tuxedo' cat's name.

 

[the old grind]

Can't rule out a mink dragging a meal. Great natural control of barn rats and muskrats. Not much fun to have around if you have chickens or ducks.

btw, That Jeep hood could/should remain at least 1/2 way open to deter immigration and nesting. Works in the barn as well as outdoors. My trucks are driven once or twice/yr & have dual batteries. Propping hoods open just a foot or so keeps critters away. It also facilitates easy semi-weekly check/rotation of the trickle chargers. (Battery Minder 1500s, I have five)