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Bear? Bobcat? Chupacabra? Photo of paw prints at a Texas park has people guessing
The News & Observer ^ | JANUARY 17, 2022 | MITCHELL WILLETTS

Posted on 01/25/2022 10:45:55 PM PST by nickcarraway

A picture of paw prints left in the morning frost at a Texas park has people guessing what creature could have made them – and most are guessing wrong.

In their defense, a wide variety of wildlife calls Big Bend National Park home, according to the National Park Service.

On Jan. 14, the park shared a picture on Facebook of animal tracks spotted on a nature trail boardwalk, challenging the public to guess which of Big Bend’s many residents left their mark.

“Porcupine? Large cat like puma, bobcat?” one person suggested.

“The shorter stride would suggest a smaller animal,” said another. “Maybe a fox?”

Some weren’t afraid to think outside the box: “That’s a classic chupacabra print if I’ve ever seen one.”

The park service let their participants stew for a couple days before finally revealing the answer: a skunk.

“We believe the tracks were left by a skunk who was out for an early morning stroll,” the Facebook post said.

A handful of folks answered correctly, including one man who seems to possess a deep knowledge of skunks — and even put park officials to the test.

“I’m going with skunk,” he said. “Bonus question: What species? I think the park has Western-spotted, Striped, Hog-nose, and sometimes Hooded.”

“Great answer!” officials responded. “We believe they are skunk tracks as well, and wildlife cameras in the park have confirmed that Big Bend is indeed home to the four species you mentioned.”

Situated in far West Texas, and bordering Mexico, Big Bend park makes up 800,000 acres of desert, boasting 75 species of mammals, from rabbits and bats, to bears and cougars. There are also 450 species of bird, 56 kinds of reptile, and 11 varieties of amphibian.


TOPICS: Outdoors; Pets/Animals; Weird Stuff
KEYWORDS: texas; wildlife
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1 posted on 01/25/2022 10:45:55 PM PST by nickcarraway
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To: nickcarraway

Goldthwait?


2 posted on 01/25/2022 10:51:53 PM PST by toddausauras (How far will the left go in terms of destroying our personal freedoms?)
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To: toddausauras

Bear. Front paw print gives it away.


3 posted on 01/25/2022 11:06:38 PM PST by Organic Panic (Democrats. Memories as short as Joe Biden's eyes)
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To: Organic Panic

i guessed wrong and didnt want the spoiler


4 posted on 01/25/2022 11:07:39 PM PST by Organic Panic (Democrats. Memories as short as Joe Biden's eyes)
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To: Organic Panic

depends on how large the boards are- maybe 2x4’s? 6” boards maybe? if it is 4” the tracks are really small, if 6” then they are a bit larger- I woudl think though a bear track would take up most of the board- but again, not sure what size the board is-


5 posted on 01/25/2022 11:09:08 PM PST by Bob434
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To: nickcarraway

Well, Satan has a cloved hoof print. I know that...


6 posted on 01/25/2022 11:11:13 PM PST by DesertRhino (Dogs are called man's best friend. Moslems hate dogs. Add it up....)
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To: Organic Panic

i was guessing opposum, They have weird feet- but i think their feet are longer and thinner-


7 posted on 01/25/2022 11:11:55 PM PST by Bob434
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To: nickcarraway

Littlefoot


8 posted on 01/25/2022 11:34:09 PM PST by FreedomForce
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To: nickcarraway

Cryptozoology theme going tonight.


9 posted on 01/25/2022 11:38:55 PM PST by ifinnegan (Democrats kill babies and harvest their organs to sell)
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To: toddausauras

Demoncrat


10 posted on 01/25/2022 11:47:11 PM PST by Osage Orange (1961 VW Two Door Truck)
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To: nickcarraway

11 posted on 01/26/2022 12:55:58 AM PST by mylife (France? what can you say? How do you rule a land with 246 kinds of cheese?)
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12 posted on 01/26/2022 1:00:25 AM PST by mylife (France? what can you say? How do you rule a land with 246 kinds of cheese?)
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To: nickcarraway

ManBearPig tiptoes across the Trex Deck in Bare Feet!


13 posted on 01/26/2022 1:06:45 AM PST by Samurai_Jack (This is not about hypocrisy, this is about hierarchy!)
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To: nickcarraway

Beto, aka the Beatoff Beast of Texas?


14 posted on 01/26/2022 1:21:34 AM PST by MadMax, the Grinning Reaper (Figures )
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To: nickcarraway

puppymonkeybaby...


15 posted on 01/26/2022 1:28:18 AM PST by heavy metal (smiling improves your face value and makes people wonder what the hell you're up to... 😁)
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To: Bob434

Looks to Me like 1x4, 1x6 and 1x8. Either way if that’s a Bear print it’s not from Yogi but possibly Boo-Boo based on board sizes.

I’m going with a Canine of some sort.


16 posted on 01/26/2022 1:45:51 AM PST by mabarker1 ((Congress- the opposite of PROGRESS!!! A fraud, a hypocrite, a liar. I'm a member of Congress !!!!)
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To: nickcarraway

fisher cat?


17 posted on 01/26/2022 2:03:15 AM PST by chalkfarmer
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To: nickcarraway

“That’s a classic chupacabra print if I’ve ever seen one.”


18 posted on 01/26/2022 4:04:52 AM PST by PghBaldy (12/14 - 930am -rampage begins... 12/15 - 1030am - Obama's advance team sco uts photo-op locations.)
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To: Organic Panic

Tiny bear if that’s a deck board at 5.75”.


19 posted on 01/26/2022 4:42:44 AM PST by maddog55 (The only thing systemic in America is the left's hatred of it!)
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To: nickcarraway

Skunk tracks.


20 posted on 01/26/2022 4:44:22 AM PST by Godebert
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