A few weeks ago, I saw a fox saunter through the woods, then slip into a hole that, judging from the earth piled at its entrance is at least several feet deep. I set up a camera to see what was shaking. Surprise: most of the comings and goings were of armadillos snuffling their way in and out of the pit.
The Xenarthans were not alone, though. A fox was also a regular visitor, always alone. My hopes for gamboling pups have not yet been realized. This may be a temporary canine interloper in a armadillo-dug chamber.
What I think is a coyote also came by, no doubt looking for ‘dillo snacks or hot-dogs. The larger size, longer legs, proportionately shorter tail, and stout-shaped face all suggest coyote to me. I’d welcome other ideas.
No cockatrices, yet, in this den. Isaiah says they’re down there, though.
David George Haskell 
Armadillos! Geez. Good catch.
This year they have been through a population explosion here.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2015/07/21/florida-leprosy-infected-armadillos/30465365/
One more good reason to *always* use gloves when preparing road kill for the table.
…and this [https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CI1htUKUkAEyz0E.jpg] is to be avoided unless the armadillo’s lips are just too damn gorgeous.
This is so wonderful, David. Thank you.
Got any out your way, Jim Ann?
David,
Your reports on this world and it’s sundry marvelous details are always a delight.
Thank you!
best//joe
Thank you, Joe!
Definitely a Coyote. Dark tail tip too.
Some can be quite large; I have them on my game cams too.
Thank you for the confirmation.
Armadillo holes are common in the forests bordering the Natchez Trace Parkway north of the Duck River, and likely further south. Sometimes very narrow paths extend from them and along the topographic contours. Earlier this month I saw a pair of armadillos shuffling along the forest floor about 6 feet away and parallel to their trail on which I stood. Apparently they knew that I and another person were there but the armadillos were not alarmed.
They seem very acoustically-oriented, walking around in full view until they hear a sharp sound. Then they race like pinecones out of a shotgun.
Definitely coyote. The sharper angle of the back knee and the tail are giveaways. Thanks for your always interesting observations.
Thank you. The knee angle is a good one: I’ll keep my eye on that for future canid sightings.