Mystery tracks

Saw these tracks while skiing out in the back country. I didn't know what they were but an expert friend of mine identified them for me. Anyone know or care to hazard a guess what critter made these.

No clue at all, George.

James

No idea! hmmm....

Looks like some weasley creature. Wolverine?

Durwood,

Not a bad guess. If you saw them up close you would see that they are really not big enough to be a full-size wolverine, although a young one might be possible. As it turns out we do have a wolverine in our area which has been a real treat for wild life lovers up here. You can read more about it at

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124533254

I'll wait until tomorrow to reveal the critter that created these tracks just in case anyone else cares to make a guess.

I believe it to be beaver tracks.

Polly

The snaking back and forth could be seen as maybe otter-like also.

Beaver is a good guess but there are no beaver in this area. Beaver tracks are also better defined and not as swishy. I have seen beaver snow track down the hill, but never up on the summit.

Otter is also a good guess, but as with beaver, there just aren't any up this way.

2nd guess: Porcupine

I am going to stay with the weasels, but that is as specific as I care to be!
Can't wait to see what it was.

Polly got it. These tracks were made by an adult porcupine. I should have known this because I spotted a porcupine den last summer about a half mile from where I saw these tracks. If you see these tracks up close you can actually see the quill brush marks.

Thanks for playing.

That was fun, thanks for posting the photos.

Polly