A small animal on a country walk
Discussion
This might be a big ask, identification without a pic but here goes.
I was on a coastal path in Lincolnshire with my dog, miles from any houses. A small animal walked between my dogs legs as we walked along and then through her front legs, not sure that she even noticed.
The animal was about the size and shape of a hamster, quite chubby but could move quickly. Chocolate brown back with white undersides.
I had thought perhaps a young stoat
But what I saw did not have the same proportions, much more like a hamster.
Any ideas?
I was on a coastal path in Lincolnshire with my dog, miles from any houses. A small animal walked between my dogs legs as we walked along and then through her front legs, not sure that she even noticed.
The animal was about the size and shape of a hamster, quite chubby but could move quickly. Chocolate brown back with white undersides.
I had thought perhaps a young stoat
But what I saw did not have the same proportions, much more like a hamster.
Any ideas?
Thank you all for your suggestions.
It was the size that puzzled me, size of an adult hamster and broad in the beam, as it was moving away from me I didn't get a look at its face.
It didn't move like a rabbit, for the speed it was moving I would expect both rear legs to be moving together.
In terms of location we were walking along a man made mound that had become a foot path, perhaps a mile inland, no woodlands, no housing nearby either.
I would go with the idea of a stoat but the proportions were short and fat as opposed to long, thin and sinewy. I might be wrong but don't stoats arch their back when they run or walk quickly?
It was the size that puzzled me, size of an adult hamster and broad in the beam, as it was moving away from me I didn't get a look at its face.
It didn't move like a rabbit, for the speed it was moving I would expect both rear legs to be moving together.
In terms of location we were walking along a man made mound that had become a foot path, perhaps a mile inland, no woodlands, no housing nearby either.
I would go with the idea of a stoat but the proportions were short and fat as opposed to long, thin and sinewy. I might be wrong but don't stoats arch their back when they run or walk quickly?
Ambleton said:
Sounds like a vole. Maybe a bank vole as they’re darker brown in colour and white underneath. Voles don’t see very well which is possibly why it was wandering around under the dog’s legs.Catz said:
Ambleton said:
Sounds like a vole. Maybe a bank vole as they re darker brown in colour and white underneath. Voles don t see very well which is possibly why it was wandering around under the dog s legs.However the animal that I saw was a real dark chocolate and a fur that I would describe as velvety, perhaps a very young animal, the line between the brown upper and the white lower was really sharp.
I think it will remain a mystery.
Edited by K87 on Monday 22 December 14:33
FourWheelDrift said:
Finally, AI has a purpose! 
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