Answer 5

Context

Location: Tamworth Village, NH

Habitat: Main Street- road/trees/shrubs/etc.

Month: November, 2024

Substrate: Soft moist snow, dusting

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Questions:

1. How many species?

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2 species

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2. Which species (second photo for confirmation below)?

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Domestic Dog is the larger track with thick and long claws. Wild dog species are constantly on the move so their claws wear down naturally and appear shorter and finer in tracks. Negative space in this dog's front track (green arrow) is almost absent. The "negative space" is the snow in the track that was not compressed by the foot and forms the interior outline of the foot's pads. Notice the tracks where the arrows are pointing, you can barely distinguish the palm pad from the outer toes. Wild dog species are more athletic and put more of their weight on their toes and therefore show a smaller relative palm pad.

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The second species is a Gray Squirrel. The 5 inch wide trail width is way out of range for the Red Squirrel. The Gray Squirrel tracks are more square in shape, whereas the Red Squirrel is more rectangular in shape because their toes are longer in proportion to their overall track. I would also expect a Red Squirrel's heel pads on their front feet to be proportionately larger.

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3. How many gaits are shown? 

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3 Gaits

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4. Which gaits?

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The Gray Squirrel is in two of it's typical gaits, the bound is marked by the red arrow and the walk is marked by the blue arrow.

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The Domestic Dog is more unique. We've already established that the larger front track of the dog is behind the smaller hind track. I am also noticing that the hind track lands to the outside of the front track (it's really obvious in the middle tracks). I suspect this is a straddle trot, where the hind leg swings to the outside and in front of the front foot. This is a bit of a fast speed than their regular trot.​