Mink are sometimes confused with otters. The most obvious difference is size; the mink is slightly smaller than a domestic cat, while an otter is considerably larger — closer in size to a medium-sized dog.
The tails differ as well. Otters have a stout tapering tail, horizontally flattened, whilst mink have a more cylindrical and somewhat bushier tail.
In coloration, mink are usually dark chocolate brown with a while chin patch; an otter’s coat is mid-brown, with a paler throat and chest.
1 response so far ↓
1 Steve L. // May 25, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Here in Oregon that critter is an otter. One reason I’m sure is that as far as I know there are no wild mink in the state. Your illustrations are accurate in that an otter is much larger than the caged mink I have seen where they were being raised for the fur. We have skunks but no pole-
cats. sl
Leave a Comment