Topic: help identifying mammal

[rdak]

I need help identifying something I saw yesterday! Was in a very thin strip of trees just off a main road. Couldn't get that close and light was failing but
- was about the size of a large terrier (wasn't a dog or fox!)
- was reddish or reddish-brownish colour
- didn't have any noticeable tail
- walked like a dog (i.e. didn't hop, and wasn't moving particularly fast)
- short legs

Have no idea what it was. Definately wasn't a dog,cat,fox,deer and wasn't the right shape to be a weasel/stoat/pine martin.

And not a badger- similar size but not black and white.

Any idea what it could be? Seen in Berkshire, S E England.

[eileen]

Weird.

I'm popping off to have a look at my books - if I find anything I'll let you know.

I know there are capybara running wild but they're usually lighter in colour, I think. Was the head broad or narrow?

Did you have a look for spoor or dropping - might help with IDing it?

Cheers Eileen.

[Mimi]

Ross, your posting reminded me of something I had forgotten all about..  You are probably too young to remember,  I think that they where called 'tracker' boys shoes.  They had embossed animal's paw prints on the sole and if you stepped in moist ground they left a print as though the animal had been there.  Ahhhh innocent days.  :)

[rdak]

eileen- had a look on google images for a capybara and it could well be what I saw. It at least looks quite close. perhaps a bit less round but the hind legs were definately a bit taller than the front ones. The head was more broad than narrow. Didn't have time to do any tracking for prints!

[Palustris]

?Muntjac deer possibly

[eileen]

Hi again Ross,

Couldn't find anything else in my books that resembled what you saw.

Hope you get to see it again and get a clearer view as I'd love to know what your mystery animal is.

Eileen.

[Mrs Ava]

Just what I was going to say Eric.  I saw one last year on the edge of our common and at first had no idea what it was, took a good long look before it vanished and then asked and looked it up and yup, muntjac deer.

http://www.chantec5.co.uk/animaluk/articles/deer/deer1.html#Muntjac

See what you think. ;D

[anna]

http://www.bristolzoo.org.uk/images/animal%20fact/Capybara.pdf
http://www.lastrefuge.co.uk/images/html/capybara/preview_html/capybara1.html

Capybara are not uncommon in Kent, so might also have reached Berks.

I must admit, I;ve seen quite a few hares and I've sometimes mistaken them for dogs when they're moving fast, because of the way they move (then done a double take)

http://www.lastrefuge.co.uk/images/html/ColinSeddon/Small_Herbivores/pages/CSeddon59.htm

[Doris_Pinks]

Reminds me of a friend who's builders swear to this day they saw a black panther at the edge of his lake when they were working on his house! (he is in the middle of the country) Makes me a little uneasy when the kids want to go and play down there :o DP