Animal tracks on the Wabash River bank

Snow cover reveals animal activity. These tracks are on the bank of the Wabash River, at the footbridge over the ditch just north of Lyboult Park. They could be either from river otters (Lontra canadensis) or from beaver (Castor canadensis), I don't know.

Link to Lontra canadensis:

Link to last year's post on otters:




Animals climb out of the water on to the bank of the river here. Notice that the Wabash River water is clear today and not murky with algae as you see it in the summer.

Obviously these tracks in this last picture are from beaver activity. This area of tree saplings is close to the trail along the Wabash. Beaver have come out of the river and crossed the trail to harvest these trees. They chew them down here and drag them back to the river.

Link to Castor canadensis:

All pictures were taken December 25, 2010.