[eneville]

Hi All,

In the snow we noticed this paw print, the key is a normal house front door sized key as a rough guide.

Does this look familiar to anyone? What is it?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/38949224@N02/8401880313/lightbox/

Thanks

[ThatsNice]

Badger?

[LilacSandy]

Looks more mole size to me.

[Herb]

I think it may be too small for a badger, maybe a stoat or weasel?

[ANHBUC]

Looks like stoat as Herb said.

http://web83.extendcp.co.uk/scottishmink.org.uk/Footprints%20Factsheet.pdf

Think the footprint is too big for a weasel.

[SkyeEnt]

Hope it isn't a mink...

[arugula]

Stoat or mink, I agree. If the OP had their location in their profile, we'd be able to help more by identifying whether they have mink in their area.

[Thrift]

It looks like something from the stoat family but bear in mind that the size can be misleading. The snow is obviously thawing slightly and this always enlarges prints somewhat.

[Beano]

It might be a badger or otter. It has to many toes to be any of the others (I think).

[Herb]

It has to many toes to be any of the others (I think).

Stoats, Weasels and Mink all have 5 toes.

[olde9856]

Too small for Badger or Otter and too big for Weasel most likley is either Mink or Ferret both bad news if around chickens!!

[eneville]

Thanks very much for all the replies.

Seems the most likely possibility is for the print to have been from a stoat then, I've bought a pest repeller, if this doesn't work then I'll get a humane trap or something. Partly I feel like I've put the chickens in the garden and it's my responsibility to ensure their safety, so if I can't repel the rodents then I think I have to trap and release them back into their habitat.

What are the rules and regulations around humane trapping?

[ANHBUC]

It depends on what you catch.  If is is a non British species like grey squirrel you can't release it!     Please correct me if I am wrong on that as it is what I have read online.   

[arugula]

Grey squirrels are a slightly different case as you can obtain help to get them relocated in order to save reds. There is a code of practice on trapping pest mammals which according to the BASC website is currently under review.

You could contact BASC for more information:

http://www.basc.org.uk/en/codes-of-practice/trapping-pest-mammals.cfm

or get in touch with a local pest controller who will know the rules (and may be prepared to advise you rather than just do the trapping for you).

[wendyg]

Actually it looks very like the foot prints I found on my allotment, my boots are ladies size 6.