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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.
Goldthwait?
Bear. Front paw print gives it away.
i guessed wrong and didnt want the spoiler
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-
Well, Satan has a cloved hoof print. I know that...
i was guessing opposum, They have weird feet- but i think their feet are longer and thinner-
Littlefoot
Cryptozoology theme going tonight.
Demoncrat
ManBearPig tiptoes across the Trex Deck in Bare Feet!
Beto, aka the Beatoff Beast of Texas?
puppymonkeybaby...
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.
fisher cat?
“That’s a classic chupacabra print if I’ve ever seen one.”
Tiny bear if that’s a deck board at 5.75”.
Skunk tracks.
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