Puzzling track

[Kent Shootwell]

This was shown to me and I've hear two different identities of it. I have a third but don't want to cloud your input. It's in sand stone located in Wyoming. The water bottle is a 16.9 ounce size for reference.
IMG_0965 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr

[Dave T]

First thing that came to mind, given it's in sandstone was a paw print of one of those cave bears from back in the mastodon, saber-tooth tiger time frame. I read some where those bears would make a modern day grizzly look like a cub.

Best guess,
Dave

[Kent Shootwell]

Bears have five toes both front and back. This track is of unusual size and the area of sand stone is large and much weathered. Also there are large hoof prints, like a elk or camel that go in the same direction.

[dusty texian]

Can see the claw points in the track , my guess a ancient wolf of some kind .,,,,DT

[River City John]

Sabre Tooth?
Dire Wolf?

[Kent Shootwell]

I've been reading a bit and the track has the form of a canine mostly but a Dire wolf was about the same size as todays gray wolf. This is much larger. Still a puzzle to me!

[Coffinmaker]

Far enough back, to have left that track to become stone, the wolf is known to have been much much larger and heavier than what we think of today.

I'm for a Wolf.  And it was hunting.

Play Safe Out There

PS:  There are Malamutes today that make a Great Dane look small.

[Dave T]

Well foo. I said the cave bear was the first thing to come to mind. Goes to show ya should sometimes pause and think about what yer gonna say or type. And sadly, can't say it hasn't happened before.  LOL

OK, I'll go along with some variety of "big" member of the family Canis lupus.

Dave

[Professor Marvel]

4 pads in front, trace of claw tip:
Smilodon, aka Giant Sabretooth "Tiger"

those things were huge.

[Niederlander]

Whatever it was, I'm really glad it's not following me!

[Blair]

I believe the Professor is correct. This is a large cat track. Cats have retractable claws. This helps to keep the claws sharp. The other animals like bears and dog types do not.
The track is just deep enough in the sediment that you can just see the tips of the claws.
My best,
Blair

[Coffinmaker]

To be from a BIG cat, that would have to be from a hind paw.  Front paws have 5 toes and the claws are retracted when walking, unless the "Cat" is attacking or defending.

I would also NOT want to be whatever it was following.

Let Us be Safe Out There.  And watch your back trail you betcha.

[dusty texian]

Not a cat track , the outside  toes and pad  have canine shape  . And  its a front paw . ,,,,DT

[Mogorilla]

It looks like a big Tiger print.  I am with the Prof on this.   

[Coffinmaker]

SO:  It's the track of a Predator.  A large and very powerful Predator.

A large, Powerful HUNGRY Predator.

We, collectively, DO NOT want it on OUR back trail.

It's runs much faster Hungry, then we do Frightened.

Let's be Safe Out There

[Blair]

Kent,
Take a good look around the area, to see if there are more tracks that maybe related to this animal. If there is one track there may well probably (?) be more.
You may be able to get more info about its stride and overall size?
I hope his helps.
My best,
Blair

[Kent Shootwell]

There are a few hoof prints beyond these but no more predator tracks.
IMG_0964 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr

[River City John]

This from an article . . .

" . . . North American lion, an extinct Ice Age cat that was 25% larger than the modern lion. . . ."