[Womble]

They were heading downhill, away from the loch (1/4 mile away), and possibly towards the burn at the bottom of the hill (another 1/4 mile).  I did try tracking them futher, but this was the only area of mud in the field, next to the gate, which is I suppose where he crossed the fence.

By the way, here is a photo of some otter footprints I took up in Assynt a few years ago. I'm sure you'll agree, much the same only different!



Bigchicken - that's the other reason I'm leaning towards Badger, as it says here that they often put their back foot right on top of where their front foot went. I really hope it's not badgers though, since it would be almost impossible to keep them away from our poultry  .

Anyhow, I've added a poll just for fun, so let's see what people think!!

[bigchicken]

Dont think it is a badger I think it has 4 toes. 

[Penninehillbilly]

I say badger, you can just see 5th toe, further back, heres a photo I took a few years ago (the swine tore a door off a weldmesh cage and got a call duckling, mum duck was crazy when I went down in the morning)

[Womble]

Does anybody know if badgers are prone to biting their fingernails? 

[littlelugs]

my great dane leaves prints like that as her claws are higher up on her toes than in other breeds so the claws dont touch the ground but she wasnt up that way at the time lol 

[bigchicken]

Not a fox to wide a print, Yes I would have said badger but the lack of claw marks ?

[Fleecewife]

Might it be an otter?

I just checked pics and their prints are more pointed at the heel, and not so broad.  So probably a badger that bites its toenails (my brother could do that  )  All mustelids though.

[JulieS]

I think badger too.  I've seen badger prints before without the claw marks......maybe we have nail biting badgers in these parts too.

[colliewoman]

Badger toes are closer together and they don't step on their own footprints. their waking gait is all wrong for that as they would have to swing their legs under their bodies to do so. There is a species that DOES step on it's own prints and that is indeed a cat. Bloody big one though!

[bigchicken]

Sorry colliewoman but you are wrong badger do step in there own foot print, These prints are typical of a badger as the back foot steps shorter than the front foot so you can see the front foots toe marks and the back foot in one print.

[mab]

if you're in Scotland how about a Scottish wildcat (though I'm doubtful that they're that big).

[Bangbang]

Definately a Womble, my older sister had one in the 70's and when she wasn't looking I would take it to the garden and push it in the mud and stomp on it a bit, and thats the impressions I used to get.
Once I recovered from the severe beating....I'd do it again, but not always with her womble.
 

[deepinthewoods]

badger i reckon.

[colliewoman]

Sorry colliewoman but you are wrong badger do step in there own foot print, These prints are typical of a badger as the back foot steps shorter than the front foot so you can see the front foots toe marks and the back foot in one print.

Every day a school day eh? They must be lazy around here and slouch!

[NickiWilliams]

Its definately a womble, closely followed by a badger ; hope this insight helps!!!!!!