alanrosesia's Favorites
Photos / Sounds
What
Cougar (Puma concolor)Observer
alanrosesiaPlace
PrivateDescription
Scat with dimensions 3cm diameter x 30cm net length (1 1/4" x 12" )
Elbroch lists coyote scat as up to 3.5cm diameter and 33cm long while for Puma it is 2-4.1cm dia x 16.5 - 43.2cm long. The measured dimensions are at the upper end of the range for coyote and about mid-range for cougar.
Also noted:
- Scat contains only fur
- It appears more segmented like feline than twisted as with coyotes
- It was in the middle of the wash.
- Orientation implies travel along the wash S-N as opposed to crossing the wash E-W.
- The total length of scat of 30cm (12") is high for coyote from my experience. I have not found coyote scat of this length to date. The scat caught my attention as it seemed wider and longer than usual.
- It should be noted that presence of cougars in the Green Valley vicinity has been confirmed both by trail cam (heading along the wash) and by sign (deer kill) previously.
Note: The trail cam photo of the cougar was found in the same area in subsequent survey.
Photos / Sounds
What
American Black Bear (Ursus americanus)Observer
alanrosesiaDescription
Dims (cm):
Trail width 22cm
9 L x 8 W
Elbroch has following for Black Bear (p. 151-153):
Front
9.5-20.3cm L (actual=9)
8.3-15.2cm W (actual=8)
Rear
13.7-22.5cm L
8.9-15.2 cm W
Trail width:
20.3-35.6cm for direct register
or overstep walk
Measurements match for slightly less than mature adult.
Photos / Sounds
What
Cougar (Puma concolor)Observer
alanrosesiaDescription
Right front paw of adult female Puma
8cm L x 10 W
heel pad 5cm
Stride: 69 cm
Trail width 14 cm
Heading SW alongside a wash
All a good match for adult female sighted in the area. Note Rezendes (see profile page) states that a heel pad width above 5 cm is an adult male.
These were just hours old as the tracks are over rainfall from the night before. Rain later in the day obliterated the tracks so there is a very short window to grab these!
Elbroch data:
Mountain Lion (Puma Concolor)
Front: 7-10cm L x 7.3-12.4W
Rear 7.6-10.5cm L x 6.5-12.4 W
Heel pad width 4-7.3 cm (Rezendes 4-7.6)
Adult female pad width 4.1-4.8 (Rezendes)
male 5- 5.7 up to 7.6 (Rezendes)
Overstep walk Stride 48-81 Trail Width 12.7-22.9
Direct Register 38-71 10-28
Trot 74-97 7.6-14
3x Lope 114-140 Group length 102-127
Gallop 91-305 Group length 127-190
Occasional bounds up to 25 ft (7.6m)
SCAT 2-4cm OD, 16-43 L
Photos / Sounds
What
Common Raven (Corvus corax)Observer
alanrosesiaDescription
Not so common WHITE RAVEN, ie. leucistic. Never seen one before! Was scavenging with several other members of the flock [congress]. And yes, it hopped and gawked like a Raven. Very rare find!
