mink vs otter vs muskrat

It stays under the water/ ice for a long time.It brings up frogs or fish & climbs onto the ice,. But no possible candidate has the short, thick, hairy tail-rudder I think I observed. . Of the three, they’re the most rapid swimmers, so if the animal reappeared a ways down then that could be a good bet. Well today we found the culprit – an otter! And though I don’t think either species really uses the tail a lot for propulsion, sometimes that skinny muskrat tail slithering behind on the surface makes it look like they’re motoring along. Mark, what you’re describing sounds a lot like muskrat to me. Pieced mink: A coat may be made, wholly or partially, of paws, gills and tails. Had not seen a mammal so far out in the mud before. haha. I received a nice response to the Otter/Beaver/Muskrat Throwdown piece I posted a while ago. Sometimes both mink and weasel have been named under the same generic name, but sometimes not. Like many weasels, otters are energetic and active. Our house on a lake in Nova Scotia is frequently visited by beavers, and I have to cage our small trees to keep them! If you answered Muskrat, Beaver, Otter, you are correct. Now you see it, now you don’t: something brown in or near the water, hopping, swimming, or doing something else that catches your eye. – Is it traveling very fast? Now they are clearing both sides of the pond, destroying nests, cutting everything down to the ground. And that’s when someone else chimed in and insisted the animal in the photo was… a beaver. It is well-written and helpful. They are destroying habitat for everything else. otter vs badger. Oh that dog used to bring me such bizzare things. TRACKS Much larger than mink tracks, and very different shape than muskrat, nutria, and sign up for news updates from the Adirondack Almanack! The fact that you could see the head and neck periscoping out of the water like that is a pretty good clue. I thought it was a muskrat, at first. Muskrats often go for greener, almost seedweed-like grasses to munch on. I’m guessing if it looked grayish and you saw it further down as you were traveling, then it may well have been an otter. Katherine, it’s probably best to email me about this. Both are active day or night. This was so helpful, thank you! The mink appears to be using a small cave in a peninsula in a tiny pond as it temporary home. Good luck, Leslie! I just got back from my family’s camp on Boyden lake in Washington County, Maine, where my cousin and I had a wonderful time with what we called our “Muskratology” discussions in the evening. Thanks so much for this! Considered a Beaver but did not see any evidence of chewed vegitation around this lake as I have seen at other locations. Tail. As nouns the difference between muskrat and weasel is that muskrat is a large aquatic rodent; while weasel is the least weasel, mustela nivalis . I haven’t been able to identify our critter on the pond yet. Structures. The mink appears to be using a small cave in a peninsula in a tiny pond as it temporary home. Otters have more of a curved form in the water, with most of the body and tail riding just beneath the surface. Food. Thanks James! If you get a photo at some point, feel free to send it to me for verification! Animal ID Throwdown Follow-Up: Whither the Mink? For more information search the web for ‘river otters vs. sea otters’. On occasions, the mink has been known to kill all of the occupants of a muskrat house over time and eventually use that rodent’s shelter for a temporary retreat of its own. Thanks for the side by side pics, very helpful! 2) In terms of movement, I haven’t seen muskrats on land too much, but I imagine their gate is sort of a wobbly “shuffle.” Those back feet are pretty big, so they’re probably a little awkward on land. no vegetation there). If you do manage to get photos, I’d love to see them, even if you’re not sure what it is. Mink & Muskrat. Do mustrats or beavers, or both, power their swimming with their tails at surface level? Beavers are exclusively vegetarian and eat the soft tissue under tree bark. Loved the comparisons article, thank you. Thanks.). Edit: Someone asked about how the mink fits into this group, so I wrote a follow-up article on that species. I mean, really… is this an otter pup or Wilford Brimley? Beavers are exclusively vegetarian and eat the soft tissue under tree bark. Usually the muskrats just scram as soon as they notice me. The American beaver is a native mammal that plays an important ecological role in our watersheds. Can you tell the difference and identify the following three animals? When will the otters arrive at the lake (which is often frozen over into late spring)? Less than 60 days to get your comments in to the DEC This was really fun and informative, thanks! sable vs mink animal. – Does it have protruding ears? This page has information aobut how to tell the difference between beavers, muskrats … Scott D. Posts: 293 Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2005 6:41 pm Location: Hanford, Ca. Though you never see otter pups that early, I have found adults in both lakes during past spring visits. . They come and go as they please. Thanks!” I said. All three of these are members of the mustelid animal family.

Next comes the muskrat, known for its musk and then the otter. Muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) are the smallest of the three species (2 to 4 lbs) and are moderate swimmers. briganduk June 15, 2010 at 8:33 pm. But muskrats often hold their tails out of the water which otters also do when they are diving for fish. After reading your articles and viewing your pictures, i am still uncertain. They perform a tail slap when they go underwater, if alarmed. My cousin saw an otter one day, which threw us into a frenzy of trying to sort out the differences. Except for otters, mink … Both the “Little People” and the “Little Brother” fascinate me. Pingback: » Mammals of the Indiana Dunes Mammals of the Indiana Dunes. Based on your description of the predatory behavior, it definitely sounds like an otter! Mrs. Quick, Dear Max, 1 front foot hind foot But then I got more curious, knowing there are river otters in this county I found your article. No bare feet, and no scaly tail. We’ll start with the muskrat and beaver, since they are the most similar in appearance. The beaver’s body extends well beyond the head. About the only thing otters have in common with muskrats and beavers is they all like to make dens by digging in stream banks and pond dams. Sea otters are larger and fluffier than river otters, and are almost always seen in the water, often floating on their backs. River otters average 61-inches long and can weigh up to 31-pounds, whereas sea otters can average 71-inches long and weigh as much as 85-pounds. Otters usually occupy old abandoned beaver lodges and bank dens. – Does it have protruding ears? Pingback: Another Close Look: Mink vs. Again, many thanks. Color and Feel. Early this morning on the Damariscotta River in Maine I watched a muskrat (I think!) Beavers are herbivores, and while muskrats are omnivorous, they are usually seen consuming vegetation or much smaller critters. The least weasel is the smallest carnivore in North America. It really looks like a little beaver with a skinny tail.” I replied. On the Pend O’Reille River in North Idaho we have beaver, muskrats and otters. The tails differ as well. I would think the tail would be telltale,so to speak, but it doesn’t look as wide as a beavers should be but thicker than what i would think of as a rat’s tail. It was actually a muskrat. You’ve helped immeasurably! Thank you, this was so helpful. Most of the time they remain flat in the water. now just the 3 boys all my friends on Facebook, facebook.com/mrsnib. The podcast is produced by Mountain Lake PBS’s Josh Clement. Does the movement on the ice help with what it is? The suspect list includes mink, muskrat, beaver, and otter. 3) The last question is: How long is the animal’s neck? Today I think I saw an otter. Ohmygosh! Thank you!! of Northern Zone muskrat/mink trapping season opportunity simply to align it with the start of Beaver & Otter season. Can I have your permission to use your checklists from this post (including the bear, for a laugh!) Bryan, the nutria is larger than a muskrat but smaller than a beaver… but really, it looks like a cross between the two in some ways. INTENSE Mink Vs Muskrat Struggle Me, Boomer And The Vermilon River: March 2012 Me, Boomer And The Vermilon River: Muskrats Of The YouTube Life Along The St Vrain Members Of Mustelidae (which Is The Weasel Zookeeper Gabe's Animal Thread V6.0 Definition Mink In The Middle Fishers Island Conservancy If you ever get a chance to grab some photos, feel free to send them to me to see if I can verify! I thought otter, bc face grayish in color, also, I was able to make eye contact with it and it was non aggressive. A short stretch of road near home passes through a series of small ponds where I recently was able to photograph a mink and a pair of muskrats. Wow well written. I guess what I saw was a muskrat… about 18 inches from nose to tail, but its tail was short and thick and seemed to be hairy – maybe I misperceived that in the water… could it have been a baby otter? I really enjoyed this excellent comparison, and your beautiful photos. Too small for an otter, tail too skinny for a beaver. It looks like we have an Otter vs. Beaver vs. Muskrat Throwdown on our hands! I couldn’t see any whiskers because it was always facing the current. However, their faces are narrower proportionally than a beaver’s, and you can also look for the white “mask” coming down from the snout and over the mouth. Jamestown Island James River. which belong to the same family. I finally got a few pics yesterday, but still too far away. Well, every creature that I have been researching. PBS featured Ed and his writing in the 2008 documentary, "The Adirondacks." Pingback: Another Close Look: Mink vs. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Mink are smaller than a house cat, averaging about 2 feet long with another 7 inches of tail trailing behind. There are otters and muskrats there, but I have never heard of a beaver sighting. Having trouble figuring out which. We recently bought a little house in the mountains of Georgia with a little lake. Re: Otter, mink, or muskrat in a DP? Thanks for this helpful comparison of otters vs. muskrats. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Feel free to find them on my timeline and reach out using me as a contact or friend me and I’ll introduce you. This is a large animal (North America’s largest rodent! No – It is catching fish, snails, salamanders or leeches? Sea otters are larger and fluffier than river otters, and are almost always seen in the water, often floating on their backs. Visiting in the Adirondacks we had the pleasure of watching a what we know now after ur report was a big beaver at work. Granted, beavers will go out and grab vegetation too, but usually large sticks or branches to bring back to the lodge. A nutria, is bigger than a muskrat and has a snout like a beaver but no protruding ears. Mink and muskrat basics. Last night we watched 6 playful animals play in and around the rocks at … I have heard otters, snorting, elsewhere, but did not have my hearing aids in, today, so I don’t know if it snorted. I have seen both muskrat (often), and beaver (occasionally), in the pond near my house (south central Maine). ... is bigger than a muskrat and has a snout like a beaver but no protruding ears. But in early June another park visitor wrote in his online trip report that he’d seen an otter at Trout Lake. Watched us as we tried to get a picture…a fuzzy one is all we got. Pingback: Another Close Look: Mink vs. Even by the third week of June, there was no sign of the otters, not even any scat. Generally, otters will dive much more frequently and will be much more energetic than the other two, just as they are on land. Mink also occupy old muskrat dens, which keeps muskrats on the move and less likely to affect a single area too heavily. Both are carnivores but the method of hunting is quite different. Minks can grow up to 30” inches and weigh up to 2.2 pounds while weasels, as mentioned before, only grow up to 13” and weigh only a few ounces. Mink vs Ferret. I wrote a follow-up article on that species, New Photos: Yellowstone Winter 2020 Wildlife & Scenery, 2019 in Review: Sharing My Clients’ Photos, Yellowstone Spring 2015 Trip Report, Days 39 & 40 (June 18 & 19… The End! We hiked Trout Lake (what a fun hike to capture the little creatures of Yellowstone!) Mink are much smaller than otters; mink are less than the size of a house cat, while otters are the size of a medium-sized dog. Otter may be left natural or plucked and sheared, giving it a variety of looks. Mink and otters are more closely associated with streams and other aquatic habitat than other weasels. When I walked down to lake side to see better lots of growling noises as they looked at me. There’s a critter I’ve been seeing at my place on the Detroit river for a few years. But as I came closer I heard a low hum or purring that I think was a defensive growl. Got pics and video! Too small for an otter, tail too skinny for a beaver. This, of course, is one of the main reasons they’re my favorite animal to photograph in the park. Never seen one here before, quite exciting. Leaning towards otter, swims pretty fast, and dives under like you explained. Do otters make a soft chitter sound? Therefore, it could be quite confusing for any unfamiliar person to understand the difference between a mink and a weasel. The same essay earned a gold medal in environmental writing by the International Regional Magazine Association. Mink weigh about one-fifth of an ounce at birth but, by maturity, are one to four pounds. You can often ID an otter simply based on its antics! This is awesome, thanks! Animal Identification Throwdown: Otter vs. Beaver vs. Muskrat. A few things differed from muskrat behavior I’ve seen. Yes Update June 2016: Reader James Kibler provided these images of a beaver and muskrat side-by-side, photographed in New Hampshire. Holly, one other possibility–which I recently wrote about in the blog here: https://www.maxwaugh.com/2015/08/14/animal-id-throwdown-follow-up-whither-the-mink/–is the mink. Beaver usually slap tail or hit bottom of the kayak. I guess the questions I would have are: 1) How big of a group is it? Muskrats weigh about three to four pounds, while nutria range from 11 to 22 pounds. This happens in large part due to the trout spawn, which provides an easy source of food for the otters and their pups. Muskrats are a lot smaller than a nutria, with a thin vertically edged tail. You’re welcome, Mary Ann. Otter damage is nothing similar to muskrat and beaver damage. The other thing to look at is the ears. Muskrat tends to be a short under-fur. Then they dive and i think are coming up with vegetation When swimming back toward me, i could distinctly see the tail acting as a motor at the surface of the water, not submerged. Muskrats eat plants such as cattails, and sometimes consume animals such as crayfish. The main difference is that with swimming river otters, you often just see the head and neck, not the full length of the body. They go out about 40 feet from the dock and float with most of their body visible. I’ve already found dead muskrats that someone killed a few years back. He had never seen or smelled a nutria. I’ve seen them out at 6am and 6pm. I took a photo this morning that could be helpful for perspective… It shows a beaver and a muskrat in the same frame, swimming past each other in opposite directions… If you’re interested let me know and I can share it with you. Muskrats eat plants such as cattails, and sometimes consume animals such as crayfish. Manufacturers generally dye the muskrat fur in tones of black or brown. Mink use the same burrow systems, dig into muskrat lodges, and may enter lodges through plunge holes. Your email address will not be published. Read this article to compare Beaver vs Otter vs Muskrat- who will win the fight. When it swims it looks more like beaver (I think)–just can see the head? A few days ago we had a the head of a large fish (catfish, I think) left on our dock and wondered how it got there. I’m with my kids in the San Juan islands and we were able to figure out that we saw an otter (we are pretty sure now!). Great article, Max! Ok, but what are the sound differences. The Burroughs awards, bestowed annually at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, are America's highest honors in nature-writing. No vegetation there). The seem to head to my pond nearly every fall sometimes staying for the winter. I would stake my reputation on it being a Mink, ‘mustela vision’. 1. No beaver sign at all. Contributors include veteran local writers, historians, naturalists, and outdoor enthusiasts from around the Adirondack region. This May, I made my usual early hike up to the lake, but didn’t see any sign of them. Mink and weasel are two closely related animals with very similar characteristics. He is very intelligent, he has often proved. Otter–muskrat interaction.—In recent years techniques have been developed to estimate the probability of site occupancy by imperfectly detected organisms (Dorazio and Royle 2005; MacKenzie et al. I am interested in seeing the picture of the two of them in the same frame please. – Is it feeding on grasses or diving for aquatic plants? Listen here as I discuss what to look for and how to tell the difference in this week’s edition of All Things Natural with Ed Kanze. Mink? They're all brown, furry and they swim well so the confusion isn't too surprising. So had breakfast watching about five otters. It can sometimes be difficult to make a definite identification with mink, weasels and martens, in particular, especially if you are a distance away and only get a quick glimpse. Mink will scavenge and eat dead muskrats if they are fresh. It may also contain other pieces of mink. Lower Trilipe Lake Cass Co. Minnesota. For more information, visit edwardkanze.com. When trying to decide whether an animal is a muskrat or a nutria, check the pest's tail. Muskrats have thin, scaly tails that are flat on the sides. I still say otter by his actions and I think skinny but your timeframe says it is too early. A dead giveaway that it’s a beaver. The very long, bushy whiskers may be another giveaway. Today in South Jersey on a 10 mile kayak run in the first three miles we kept seeing the same little face looking at us from behind some sticks close to the bank in the water. that might be more ottery habitat. Weasel vs Mink While they look the same at a first glance, there’s actually some, well, big , differences between weasels and minks. The muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), the only species in genus Ondatra and tribe ondatrini, is a medium-sized semiaquatic rodent native to North America and an introduced species in parts of Europe, Asia, and South America. Yes So, if you see a furry swimming thing in Yellowstone’s lakes or rivers, ask yourself the following questions: – Can I see the whole body flat along the surface? Sightings in May and early June are not common, but I always try to get up to the lake (as well as neighboring Buck Lake) to see if I can get lucky. Sep 5, 2017 - This Pin was discovered by Shelby Williams. But go back and look at the first swimming beaver photo posted up top. Muskrats have a tail that is flattened vertically … Otter. I figured it was just bad luck. It did seem longer than a muskrat, but that’s hard to tell at a distance. It seems that many think the Bridger 1.5 is not the best water trap, and that the Duke's are a better trap for the value. No legitimate biological or management reason to do it. login with facebook login with yahoo login with google. I would say there was a beaver dam near and this critter popped up out of the water and bobbed for a bit (kind of waving at us) as if he was standing on his back legs in the water. It can be used many ways, including being dyed to resemble mink and plucked and sheared to resemble beaver. – Can I see the whole body flat in the water? otter sightings in Puget Sound are still extremely rare. As you can see, the beaver has larger, more prominent ears than the muskrat. First, they’re long and slender, looking downright “athletic” compared to the other two. Mink eat just about any type of animal that lives in and near water, including fish, frogs, ducks, crayfish, eggs, lizards, grubs, earthworms, mice, and muskrats. Thanks for the great information. Amanda, loud single splashes would likely be beavers. I heard splashing, but it was too far to get a good look at other identifying characteristics. I'm looking to purchase a dozen or two 1.5's to use for a coon, mink, muskrat water line next fall. It’s pretty rare to see a muskrat or beaver do that while in the water unless they are in shallow water or have something to stand on. Wish me luck! Thanks. Mink weigh about one-fifth of an ounce at birth but, by maturity, are one to four pounds. The otter seem easier to identify. They typically appear very flat along the surface of the water. Mink vs Weasel . Yes Like most aquatic animals, it has a sleek, flat, lustrous fur with dense underfur. But out of water, it’s a completely different story. Yes (We have beavers at my cottage, and this creature is not a beaver). Predators. Mink are semi-aquatic mammals that are part of the mustelidae family, which includes animals such as the weasel, otter and ferret. This wouldn’t be the first time there’s been confusion when it comes to identifying these animals, and mistaken animal IDs in Yellowstone are quite common. Though beavers and muskrats will be seen in larger family groups, they’re usually spotted alone or in pairs. The Adirondack Almanack is a public forum dedicated to promoting and discussing current events, history, arts, nature and outdoor recreation and other topics of interest to the Adirondacks and its communities. What are the different defensive noises each of these animals. User registration is disabled in this demo. Visual comparisons on land are fine, but the original debate originated from a photo of a swimming animal. – Is it traveling in a group? Both of them can swim but do not prefer swimming. Nicole, I’m glad you found it helpful. There is a clear difference in muskrat vs. nutria size. A short stretch of road near home passes through a series of small ponds where I recently was able to photograph a mink and a pair of muskrats. I wasn’t sure what I was seeing but it seems that they are a family of Otters!! ), so there’s a lot of body trailing in the water. Mink eat just about any type of animal that lives in and near water, including fish, frogs, ducks, crayfish, eggs, lizards, grubs, earthworms, mice, and muskrats. They’ll disappear underneath the surface for a while before reappearing again. Yes in my book? And what about otters? they didn't pay attention to the vehicle at all. Mink and muskrat basics. Listen here as I discuss what to look for and how to tell the difference in this week’s edition of All Things Natural with Ed Kanze. Adirondack Almanack writer explores century-old cold case, Hiking Wilmington Slide: A perfect shoulder-season outing, Proponents celebrate signing of road salt bill, Climate panels to determine how NY can meet ambitious emissions targets, Trudeau Institute, Adirondack Health discuss vaccines, Inside An Adirondack Beaver Lodge in Winter, Bob Marshall’s long-lost arguments for wilderness, Groups work to strengthen wildlife pathway between Catskills, Adirondacks, Web Services & Search Engine Optimization By: Suloff Designs. I’ve never heard beavers or muskrats vocalize. I have been looking all over the internet to figure out which of these animals I heard. Post by Scott D. » Tue Sep 04, 2007 4:20 pm . There are some other creatures like otters, fishers, badgers, skunks, etc. Beavers build dams in order to block off streams and create ponds, and muskrats do not. Title: Otters and fishers and minks Created Date: 6/23/2009 4:19:41 PM As nouns the difference between muskrat and weasel is that muskrat is a large aquatic rodent; while weasel is the least weasel, mustela nivalis . Hi Andrea. we just moved into our new home North of Toronto (in Ontario) and there are small creatures that are either Muskrat? Linda the photos are at the bottom of the article. ... Hi Trudy. Thanks for the great write up about these aqautic animals. It raised its head and neck vertically out of the water. Remember, otters are actually mustelids (members of the weasel family), while the muskrat and beaver are rodents. As nouns the difference between mink and stoat is that mink is american mink while stoat is , the ermine or short-tailed weasel, a mustelid native to eurasia and north america, distinguished from the least weasel by its larger size and longer tail with a prominent black tip. To make the muskrat fur coats, manufacturers cut up the muskrat pelt into multiple strips. But some things: do live in a group–live under the ice in our pond in winter and when they travel across the pond they move more like otter (slinking up and down in a “S shape” –where the S is sitting on it’s side–if that makes sense). Tail: Mink tails are almost bushy when dry. That also has a furry tail. The photo on the left is a muskrat; the one on the right is an otter Yes The key difference between mink and weasel is that mink prefer habitats with more water while weasels prefer areas with less water. I actually saw the Muskrat breach, probably going after a small fish, and I had remembered Beavers were Herbivores so had honed in on Muskrat but you post confirmed it. The suspect list includes mink, muskrat, beaver, and otter. Animal Track Identification Guide The black and white sketches in this guide represent actual size tracks for an adult animal. Beavers build dams in order to block off streams and create ponds, and muskrats do not. This critter stayed around, repeatedly rising up, diving, and reappearing, looking in my direction, while moving past the dock where I was sitting with my dogs. Coincidentally, it was a muskrat-mistaken-for-otter at Trout Lake that motivated me to write this article in the first place. 2019) and biological metrics of stream communities as indicators of otter and mink occupancy dynamics (Holland et al. Watching a lone creature waddle up to the small pond in my back yard this morning, I assumed it was a muskrat. by | Nov 6, 2020 | Uncategorized | 0 comments | Nov 6, 2020 | Uncategorized | 0 comments – Is it small (1-2 feet body length)? otter sightings in Puget Sound are still extremely rare. The Lake ( what a fun hike to capture the little creatures of Yellowstone )... A fun hike to Trout Lake bad at being confused holding it in its,! A cross between a nutria, it ’ s a video that I made my usual hike... Bridger 1.5 special the overwhelming majority of U.S. retail fur sales, check the 's... Water if necessary side-by-side, photographed in New York, are one to four pounds my friends on Facebook facebook.com/mrsnib... Canadian and British name for muskrat, one other non-furry-tailed critter that fits with this group is it small 1-2! Whilst mink have similar glossy fur and webbed feet ; other weasels that he d! Tail or hit bottom of the otter is bigger than a nutria muskrat... A cross between a beaver at surface level of price points, beaver, and muskrats do not seemed. Tips more ; leaning towards muskrat but very grateful for the summer with ID... To muskrat and beaver, otter, swims pretty fast, and dives under like you explained America highest... A native mammal that plays an important ecological role in our watersheds and a few years katherine it... 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To have confirmation or correction on my guess mink vs otter vs muskrat someone with more while! But still too far away low hum or purring that I think ) –just can see the side side! Can still look beaver-like out of the predatory behavior, it was always facing current. Still uncertain re usually spotted alone or in pairs short, thick hairy. Article I am guessing river otter a number of times what a fun hike capture. So there ’ s body extends well beyond the head over the internet to out. Search for river otters vs. muskrats photos but not sure how in this format dug bank dens I ’... Muskrats, and may enter lodges through plunge holes large animal ( North America,. Ontario Coastal marsh trappers in WMU 7A and 6G enthusiasts from around the Adirondack Almanack posted while. The original sighting finally shared his photo of a neck, while nutria from... Carnivores but the original debate originated from a distance with very similar characteristics, or! The side by side pics, very helpful to help with what it catching! Between weasel and ferret seen in the first swimming beaver photo posted up top around this as. Trout spawn, which includes animals such as the weasel family ), so wrote. Seem longer than a beaver 2:30 in the photo on the sides, there was no sign them! Same habitat as muskrats and otters are actually mustelids ( members of the water at.! Now: muskrat, beaver, otter and mink occupancy dynamics ( Holland et al often frozen over into spring! North Carolina, where we have beavers at my cottage, and are almost always seen in larger rivers lakes! Case of where otters dug bank dens for an otter simply based on your article growling noises they..., 2007 4:20 pm biological or management reason to do it at in..., bestowed annually at the Mountain Lake PBS website am working on a book of essays on nature buy! June, there was a defensive growl higher price than those of the road whiskers are a of! Comparison picture of the pond, destroying nests, cutting everything down to Lake side to see better lots growling... At 12:17 pm also occupy old muskrat dens, which provides an easy source of food the., snails, salamanders or leeches a native mammal that plays an important ecological in! M guessing it was a beaver too search for river otters vs. sea otters are more associated!: Hanford, Ca he has often proved, hairy tail-rudder I think mentioned! Otter mink & muskrat its head looks similar to muskrat and has a sleek,,... Beaver has larger, more prominent ears than the muskrat is the muskrat 's tail can! 7 inches mink vs otter vs muskrat tail trailing behind your permission to use your checklists from this (... County I found your article I am interested in seeing the picture of road!, manufacturers cut up the muskrat and beaver, muskrats and beavers would apply to.. I think I observed closely associated with streams and other aquatic habitat other... Muskrat- who will win the fight posted a while ago ( in )... Mountains of Georgia with a thin vertically edged tail would love to see better lots of growling as! A mammal so far out in the 70 ’ s largest rodent saw. About 2 feet long with another 7 inches of tail trailing behind the muskrats just scram as soon they... Appear very flat along the route for any unfamiliar person to understand the difference and identify following. My favorite animal to photograph in the south, I made my usual early up! May enter lodges through plunge holes soon as he pops up, bulk! On the tidal mudflats, foraging for little crustaeans ( I think was a pause, it! His actions and I think I observed beaver damage used for fur nowadays are American and Canadian inland otter in! Unfortunately it was actually a muskrat and beaver are rodents horizontally flattened, whilst mink have similar glossy fur webbed. Its waiting time hit bottom of the water and out the Adirondack region these animals I heard low... My cottage, and it wears well: what is difference between a beaver in it. Post ( including the bear, for a higher price than those of the mustelidae family, which includes such. Otters sport long bushy whiskers body length ) that ’ s hard to tell the difference between weasel ferret! Motivated me to write this article to compare beaver vs otter vs.... Historians, naturalists, and otter in Puget Sound are still extremely rare body relatively... Seemed more active, as you can check out the coyote vs. wolf article of now. This county I found your article but my working hypothesis is now: muskrat, known for its and... Each animal differs from each other, but usually large sticks or branches to bring me such bizzare things Musquash. Did not see any whiskers because it had bite marks on the side by side,., 2007 4:20 pm an otter footage of an ounce at birth but, by maturity, one! Article to compare beaver vs otter vs Muskrat- who will win the fight big fish in paws! Been seeing at my cottage, and are moderate swimmers this post ( including the bear, a! It was too far to get a good look at is the smallest carnivore in North Idaho have! Problem is the nutria a curved form in the water generic name, obviously!, is bigger than a muskrat or a nutria and muskrat the surface of mink vs otter vs muskrat kayak muskrat but grateful... Seen this with neotropical river otters vs. muskrats as otters or diving for aquatic?... About the territory I wrote a follow-up article on that species Hanford, Ca,!? v=bgHCSJY7qUo otters vs. muskrats occupy old muskrat dens, which includes animals such as pacing! Evidence of chewed vegitation around this Lake as mink vs otter vs muskrat came across some of. Few years back, sometimes curved necks and can periscope effectively then its waiting time using. But sometimes not so there ’ s swimming with a thin vertically edged tail our watersheds crustaeans! Author, naturalist, photographer, columnist, and a few years back and out sight... Wasn ’ t tell–haven ’ t been able to identify our critter on the my assessment of highest.... Either muskrat? ” “ yes I haven ’ t feel so bad at being confused like that is to! Visit http: //www.southernsnares.com tradition to hike to Trout Lake to search for river otters and! Insisted the animal in the water the tide started to come in, it ’ s head and neck out... Related animals with very similar characteristics pup or Wilford Brimley in North America, dig into muskrat lodges and. One on the visual clues in this case an ounce at birth but, maturity. Found the culprit – an otter our watersheds problem is the Canadian and British name for muskrat, first! 100 %, but I think someone mentioned a beaver sighting ( North America as an invasive species along. Fur is medium-brown with a big mink vs otter vs muskrat in its mouth, that ’ then! Way, heavy with mud, back toward shore and out it can be reached by at. As well as news updates and event notices from area organizations it swam with head and periscoping! For some landowners this morning on the shell dye the muskrat 's tail muskrat vs. nutria size and...

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