Cougar track?

[GaryP1958]

While scouting Dune Donkeys this morning I found this!

 

[Denduran87]

I was trying to remember if cougars normally walk with claws out or not. So i found this, hope it helps.

 

[JeannaJigs]

Doesn't look feline

 

[fishtales]

Big River otter.

 

[upstate88]

The big one for cat tracks are...

1. Is the overall shape of the shape of the track round (cat) or oval (dog)
2. cats do not show claws. cats keep them retracted as they are a tool for taking prey dogs use their claws like cleats. There are always exceptions but 99.9% no claws
3. scat or other sign (a ripped up bird is a pretty good one)
4. cats do whats called "direct registering" where they pick up the front left and put the back left in almost the same spot
5 common sense (do they live in the area, is that spot heavily trafficked by people walking dogs...)

Its really hard to tell from just one track. I have taught many a tracking class and I will get crusty old hunters tell me they can identify any track then they go 0/5 so using your own best judgment is really key for stuff like this. In the future look at a bunch of tracks and try and get an overall idea of what was going on (like the feathers, good job) and looking at a bunch of tracks to try and see claws.