Context

Location: North Conway, NH

Habitat: Silver Maple flood plain forest along the Saco river following an extremely flooding event

Month: December, 2023

Substrate: Soft but not particularly fine sand

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Answer:

1. Who made these 2 1/2" long tracks:

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There are 5 toes in the front and hind tracks

The inside toe (toe 1, like your thumb) are lower or farther back on the track than the other 4 toes in each track

The toes are more teardrop shaped and NOT long robust finger

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These are the tracks of the charismatic River Otter! There was a pair loping through the open woodland of the forest. The forest had a recent major flood. This cleared the forest of debris and leaf litter and fresh sand was deposited throughout the forest. It was ideal tracking conditions.