Mammals: Big Cats
In the fresh snow of March 23rd, 2008, I came across these recent cat prints just off my driveway in Marenisco Township. The tracks were approximately 1-1/2 to 2 feet apart.
The prints were approximately 3-1/2" wide. Note the lack of claw indentations in the snow as well as the round pattern.
The highly contrasted image on the right shows a slight indentation near the back, perhaps indicating that this is the hind paw.
The chart on the left indicates that the stride pattern is consistent with that of a cat. The distance between the prints, as well as the spread on paw, suggest a mountain lion might have been roaming CLT on this early spring day.
MOUNTAIN LION AT CLT?