cougars in the 'Dacks?
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and I don't mean good looking older women, but if you know where they are that would be nice too :P |
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I'm not great at identifying tracks either. The big cat tracks I saw were CLEARLY cat tracks (4 digits, one big fat pad, with claws.) |
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those don't look like cat tracks. maybe a porcupine? it kinda hard to tell from the pic. |
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Ben Botelho wrote:I'm not great at identifying tracks either. The big cat tracks I saw were CLEARLY cat tracks (4 digits, one big fat pad, with claws.)All felines have retractable claws, which they only expose while in use capturing prey. What makes cat tracks distinguishable is the fact that they have NO claw imprints. All other mammals (fox, coyote, weasle, bear, etc.) would leave claw imprints. |
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Ben Botelho wrote:and I don't mean good looking older womenThat's as far as I got. |
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The tracks in the photo look like the dreaded "snow baskets" on trekking poles. I think they grow wild in the Northeast! |
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Regardless of these tracks, I've spent three Summers in the Adirondacks, and although I've never had any encounters out there, I talked to a number of locals who swore they were still out in the North Country. |
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Well...I must have been seeing things with the claws then, because they were definitely cat tracks. I didn't even think of the retractable claws, however I wonder if they also employ those claws for some traction in variable conditions...like a natural crampon? |
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Ben Botelho wrote: The big cat tracks I saw were CLEARLY cat tracks (4 digits, one big fat pad, with claws.)This might help you identify if what you saw were cougar tracks. You said about 2", so probably bobcat tracks then. |
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How old and attractive are these cougars'? Mid 40's or so is OK with me, and a plus if they are a climber. |
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These are the typical lion tracks I've seen (notice fox tracks following along hoping for scraps). |
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If you are interested in knowing more about tracks / scat (beyond random Wiki searches), |
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^^ I think I would piss myself if I was out in the woods and saw a big cat 15 feet from me. Though I suppose if he had wanted to eat you he would have already clamped down on your neck before you even knew it was there. |
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More about cheetahs - |
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I dont know that area very well but here in New Hampshire there is atleast one we know of. It most likely only travels thru looking for food but they are around. Their territory is huge about 500 sq miles so maybe it wanders out that way too. They tracks you saw are way too small to be a mountain lion tho. |
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chick=teens and 20's, puma=30's, cougar=40's , jaguar=50's and up. so that everyone is clear. |
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There are wolves and likely cougars in the Adirondacks. Wolves have been confirmed, cougars (because they tend to be solitary) are much harder to find unless one gets hit by a car or found dead by hunters/hikers. Finding fresh cougar tracks would be a crap shoot as it doesn't take much snow to cover them and it snows frequently in the ADKs. |
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Dana Bartlett wrote: All felines have retractable claws, which they only expose while in use capturing prey. What makes cat tracks distinguishable is the fact that they have NO claw imprints. All other mammals (fox, coyote, weasle, bear, etc.) would leave claw imprints. Cheetahs have claws that don't retract, yes? Yes |
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Bobcat track for comparison. You can see the snowshoe like track of the fur on the foot around the pad as well. |
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There was a mountain lion confirmed in RI (DNA from scat) and one confirmed in CT (hit by car). It may have been the same cat. So they are probably in the Daks. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/13/nyregion/mountain-lion-is-found-in-connecticut.html. |