Help with track ID

[res]

Ok, quick background. Went out shooting this morning and in the sandy two track road I was driving down, I found these tracks. Now, normally I know them but this one has me thrown for a loop. For the record, it could be some kind of domestic animal since there were bicycle tracks in the sand as well. BUT, the bicycle tracks kept going down the two track and then doubled back and out but these tracks only went one way. I am in the central part of the lower pennisula of Michigan. Hope I was able to capture enough detail. Two track was running through a stand of small poplar saplings from a cut over several years ago. There is a large swamp about 1/2 mile from the tracks with several fingers of the swamp pushing much closer (couple hundred yards) Any ideas??

http://gobirdphoto.smugmug.com/Other/Tracks/IMG2430/852520746_RcHWn-M.jpg (http://gobirdphoto.smugmug.com/Other/Tracks/12016933_PTd6i#852520746_RcHWn-A-LB)

http://gobirdphoto.smugmug.com/Other/Tracks/IMG2434/852522909_BtA5q-M.jpg (http://gobirdphoto.smugmug.com/Other/Tracks/12016933_PTd6i#852522909_BtA5q-A-LB)

http://gobirdphoto.smugmug.com/Other/Tracks/IMG2435/852525265_oHFia-M.jpg (http://gobirdphoto.smugmug.com/Other/Tracks/12016933_PTd6i#852525265_oHFia-A-LB)

http://gobirdphoto.smugmug.com/Other/Tracks/IMG2436/852527232_yi55P-M.jpg (http://gobirdphoto.smugmug.com/Other/Tracks/12016933_PTd6i#852527232_yi55P-A-LB)

http://gobirdphoto.smugmug.com/Other/Tracks/IMG2438/852529204_zJG4h-M.jpg (http://gobirdphoto.smugmug.com/Other/Tracks/12016933_PTd6i#852529204_zJG4h-A-LB)

This animal was on the track for well over a quarter of a mile. There were no other tracks with it. I had thought about a cub bear but could only see nail marks in what I assumed to be the hind foot and the front foot did not seem to be seperated into pads.

http://gobirdphoto.smugmug.com/Other/Tracks/12016933_PTd6i#852520746_RcHWn

Above is a link to the gallery where these are stored. If you want to see the full size version, they are there and can be accessed. Thanks in advance for the help. Rick

[res]

After a bunch of research, I think it is a porcupine. I always thought they would brush the ground with quills and their tails but maybe not. It sure looks close. It is also close to the shape of a skunk but the pictures I am seeing on the net show skunks only haveing about a 2 1/2 inch length. I have certainly seen and been around both in the field but the more I think about it, I have never really taken close notice of their tracks.

[PBeeee]

The large pad, the absence of digit pads and the long claws out in front, that's a porcupine. Size is right on too. Too bad he wasn't there to see. Nice job with the tape measure, sure makes figuring it out alot easier.

[res]

Thanks, I have some shots of a young porcupine I came across last year. Would have loved to see this one and get him to pose. They such willing subjects. :)

http://gobirdphoto.smugmug.com/Gods-Creatures/Mammals/IMG0419/632361696_Y2Mrs-L.jpg (http://gobirdphoto.smugmug.com/Gods-Creatures/Mammals/10279122_RioAz#632361696_Y2Mrs-A-LB)

http://gobirdphoto.smugmug.com/Gods-Creatures/Mammals/IMG0389/632356423_NRTBW-L.jpg (http://gobirdphoto.smugmug.com/Gods-Creatures/Mammals/10279122_RioAz#632356423_NRTBW-A-LB)

[thesupe87]

It's a CHUPACABRA!! hahaha

[res]

It's a CHUPACABRA!! hahaha
HaHaHa, That was right before he attacked me!!!!!! :lol: