tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17836460.post8258472869839245723..comments2014-06-11T20:25:47.022-07:00Comments on Natural Path: Track of the Week 11Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04918481494505350514noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17836460.post-46666736608888173502008-12-03T16:54:00.000-08:002008-12-03T16:54:00.000-08:00That seems like pretty good reasoning.I'm glad you...That seems like pretty good reasoning.<BR/><BR/>I'm glad you noticed the claw marks there. I would recommend looking through a field guide with those in mind as well as other observations you have of the tracks (e.g. that they seem a bit round for a canine). But I would say the claws are one of the big clues for this animal.<BR/><BR/>As for the hip/sexing thing, I've heard that as well. But none of the experienced trackers I've been out with have found it to be a good indicator. I would be particularly cautious to try and use it in a situation like this where you can't see much of the trail... But it's great to be paying attention to details like that to see if you notice any patterns.Jonathanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04918481494505350514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17836460.post-6268062778989524122008-12-03T07:26:00.000-08:002008-12-03T07:26:00.000-08:00Well, the track on the right seems a bit round for...Well, the track on the right seems a bit round for canine, so at first I thought it might be feline. But then I noticed the claw marks ahead of it. The fact that there are claw marks and the shape that they're in made me think it was definitely canine.<BR/>Also the track on the right is larger so I assumed it was the front foot, and the direction of the claw marks makes me think it's the left front.<BR/>What makes me think it's a female is that if that is the left front, then it seems that the left rear has fallen slightly to the outside of the front track.If I remember correctly, female tracks show up this way because their hips are wider than a male.<BR/>Finally, the reason I think she was looking slightly to her left is because the left toes on both tracks are slightly deeper than the toes on the right.ForestMusichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02803327400160766635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17836460.post-45422140113523353352008-12-02T22:32:00.000-08:002008-12-02T22:32:00.000-08:00Thanks for posting :)Could explain what led you to...Thanks for posting :)<BR/><BR/>Could explain what led you to those answers?<BR/><BR/>One of your answers is correct :)<BR/><BR/>I'll give a hint that there is a part of the track that is less obvious, but is a helpful characteristic for identification.Jonathanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04918481494505350514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17836460.post-21383553455001077812008-12-02T17:55:00.000-08:002008-12-02T17:55:00.000-08:00Oh yeah, which feet.On the right side of the photo...Oh yeah, which feet.<BR/>On the right side of the photo I think it's the left front and then the left rear behind it.ForestMusichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02803327400160766635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17836460.post-16296542658932112902008-12-02T17:27:00.000-08:002008-12-02T17:27:00.000-08:00I don't really expect to be right with this...but ...I don't really expect to be right with this...but I'll give it a shot.<BR/>Female coyote looking slightly to her left?ForestMusichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02803327400160766635noreply@blogger.com