What made these footprints?

[JrFreak]

Not hunting it, just didn't know where to post this...

Central PA, these were found in a lagoon off a river. It didn't dig the hole in the ice. Pattern looks like something from weasel family. Do Fishers like icy cold water? Pretty much the whole pond/lagoon was
frozen over.

[GrumpyBear]

Just a guess,but my money is on it being an otter.

[Sshuker]

I have seen beaver out that way but there is usually a mark from the tail dragging.

Maybe it is a baby bigfoot. Call the press!

[JrFreak]

Just a guess,but my money is on it being an otter.

I didn't think Otters were in PA. Not a beaver... this thing was hopping like like a weasel or something.

EDIT: Looks like they do. I'd say river otter also.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_River_Otter

[pennlineman]

I'm thinking muskrat.

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...racks&tbm=isch

Vs otter.

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...racks&tbm=isch

[Sshuker]

I am still voting baby bigfoot. More because of how cool that would be than because there is anything really pushing a rational conclusion that way.

I was also unaware we had otters anywhere in PA.

You learn something new every day.

[Bang]

Looks like the animal is hopping due to the depth of the snow...creating a track different from a normal gate. Front feet plant, rear feet slightly drag the snow and plant in contact with the front feet. I assume it is not a den, so it's about food. Something that fishes. Or, it is about a den...that has to be approached underwater to the bank. Or, maybe it's simply getting a drink?

[Mike3888]

I'm going with otter.

[Bill67]

maybe a mink. Otter is also a good guess.

[GunDog]

Fishers hop so that is a huge possiblity. Also the wildlife organizations have been working closely with the pa wildlife commissions for awhile now to re-establish populations in pa. There is a family of fishers living at Mauch Chunk lake park. I've seen them on land hopping about and the tracks that I've seen in mud look like those in the pic. But if you wanna find out for certain get a game camera.