Comments on: Animal Tracks

By: Ryan

Ryan — Tue, 06 May 2008 21:58:42 +0000

I do know a bit about animal tracking, but next to nothing about how to estimate the proportions of tracks from an aerial image. I’d guess human because whoever said the tracks appear bipedal is correct, and especially given the proximity of a jeep track and what appear to be salt mines (to the northeast), and the otherwise trackless nature.
However, if they are too big to be human, try this one on: moving at a certain steady pace and on poor soil where you can’t pick out precise toemarks, elephant tracks appear bipedal because they put their hind feet down almost exactly onto the spot they’ve just lifted their front foot from.
Decent example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c37_ZspZi8c&
Also, the structure of their foot (flat and with an almost spongy shock-absorbing pad under the bones behind the toes) is such that they walk quite lightly and silently for their size, and leave surprisingly shallow footmarks–due to the large surface area of their feet–even when moving quickly.
As I said, I would guess human, but there are a few quadrupeds with unusual walks that can make apparently bipedal prints.

By: Romanov

Romanov — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 07:41:58 +0000

The footprints are about 75cm apart, so it could be human.

By: Alex

Alex — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 06:20:03 +0000

I’m going to guess human. The way the tracks go, it looks bipedal. And I doubt you’ll find any other primates in that area.

By: High Up in PA

High Up in PA — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:52:16 +0000

I have no idea what the tracks are, but this object confounds me even more. No idea what it is, but clearly got a prime spot at the corner of two “roads”. Probably a Starbucks.

Placemark: Google Maps / Google Earth&z=18

By: Alex

Alex — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 18:21:02 +0000

@ jiminlax & dr.R. - there’s another patch of high-res to the east with many more tracks - which look even more like marks made by some sort of creature. I’m not denying that it could be the human kind of creature of course!

By: cookie monster

cookie monster — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 17:43:36 +0000

@Alex - me!

@dr.R - by the looks of it i dont think privacy is such an issue in that part of the unihabited barren desert.

By: dr.R.

dr.R. — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 15:10:09 +0000

With the car tracks nearby, it could be some guy who was just driving around and had to stop to go to the loo and walked around to find a good spot?

By: jiminlax

jiminlax — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 14:15:59 +0000

i think it’s rocks or stones being blown across the desert by the wind. no crap!

By: Alex

Alex — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 10:37:32 +0000

@cookie monster - who you calling fat!?

By: cookie monster

cookie monster — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 10:27:08 +0000

@jack
you dont get camels in South Africa………..except maybe in a Tobacconists.