Allotments 4 All

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.

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.

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.  :)

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!

?Muntjac deer possibly

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.

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

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

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