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We received one correct answer to our July Natural Mystery. Congratulations to Kirsten Welge for identifying the maker of these tracks, and interpreting the track pattern.
These are the tracks of a woodchuck (Marmota monax), traveling in a bound. I'll turn it over to Kirsten, for her excellent interpretation:
"Four tracks are present in this pattern. The tracks below the 57” and 63” marks show four distinct toes in a 1-2-1 configuration with clear prominent claws, a robust trapezoidal metapodial pad, and carpal pads. These two tracks are curved inwards, towards the center line of the animal, and measure 2 1/8 ” L x 1.75” W.
The tracks registering at 66” and 67” show five toes, a wide metapodial pad, and a clear cone-shaped “heel”. Toes on these tracks appear to be in a 1-3-1 configuration. These tracks measure 2.25” L x 1.75” W.
Interpretation:
This is a bound track pattern, registering FR FL HR HL (photo L to R).
The 1-2-1 front toe and 1-3-1 hind toe morphology narrows our candidates to a rodent (mice, rats, or squirrels).
The strong inward curvature of these tracks and prominent claw marks on the front tracks suggest a ground squirrel.
Ground squirrel tracks in this size point to Marmota monax, the woodchuck.
The story: This cute chonk of a ground squirrel was booking it!"
Exactly right. Woodchucks typically travel in a walk, but will bound when startled. These tracks were incredibly fresh when I found them--likely just a few minutes old. Given that, I was probably the cause of this woodchuck bounding toward cover.
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