There is a clear difference in muskrat vs. nutria size. But muskrats often hold their tails out of the water which otters also do when they are diving for fish. Otter: Dec. 1 - March 1. by all legal rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, crossbows, bows, pistols and air guns. s_man, Sep 9, 2006. s_man, Sep 9, 2006. A similar species, the round-tailed muskrat (Neofiber alleni), is found only in the southeastern United States. I’ve heard a lot of mistaken IDs over the years, and have certainly made my share of slip-ups when seeing some animals at first glance.Muskrat vs. Beaver happens a lot.

It also seemed more active, as you mentioned, and more curious. Muskrats eat plants such as cattails, and sometimes consume animals such as crayfish. Otter spraints are messy smudges with a distinct, not unpleasant smell, and contain bones and fish scale remains. Sea otters are twice the size of river otters, and are never far from the ocean. Sea otters are larger and fluffier than river otters, and are almost always seen in the water, often floating on their backs. Do otters make a soft chitter sound? Mink are semi-aquatic mammals that are part of the mustelidae family, which includes animals such as the weasel, otter and ferret. Beavers are exclusively vegetarian and eat the soft tissue under tree bark. The most obvious difference between beavers and muskrats is their size. The name “muskrat” is derived from a musky yellowish The Disease Distinctions. But muskrats are by far the most common of the animals listed here and can be encountered frequently. I had a five gallon bucket full of water and shad sittin at the edge. Also, otter pelts may not be taken out of Florida unless tagged. Thanks.). So my question is do muskrat eat shad? Tracks are usually at least 2cm wide (wider than your thumbprint). Muskrats weigh about three to four pounds, while nutria range from 11 to 22 pounds. Beavers build dams in order to block off streams and create ponds, and muskrats do not. Also found along the west coast of Scotland. otter sightings in Puget Sound are still extremely rare. SeedTick Guest. Those with a hunting license may pos­sess no more than 1 otter pelt between April 1 and Nov. 30, unless pelt has CITES tag. The problem is the muskrat's tail which can look like an otter's tail from a distance. Habitat: Otters can be found beside rivers, streams and lakes, mostly in north and west England and Wales. The muskrat belongs to the Family Cricetidae in the Order Rodentia. Watch for the long skinny hairless tail that helps give the muskrat its name. This is The much smaller muskrat averages about four pounds. It is found primarily in marshes, wetlands and other aquatic habitats throughout North America. The photo on the left is a muskrat; the one on the right is an otter I’ve heard a lot of mistaken IDs over the years, and have certainly made my share of slip-ups when seeing some animals at first glance.Muskrat vs. Beaver happens a lot. SEA OTTER (Enhydra lutris) In California, sea otters are most often seen around Monterey Bay and Elkhorn Slough. Occasionally we see them in the SF Bay Area. The tail is thinner. There’s a superb Otter/Beaver/Muskrat article with photos and descriptions here. Bag Limit: No Limits We’ve had one reported otter sighting on our Montana property, by one of our cabin guests, but I have yet to see them. For more information search the web for ‘river otters vs. sea otters’. But as I came closer I heard a low hum or purring that I think was a defensive growl. Structures. MUSKRAT. Messages: 1,414. s_man said: I was fishing with a buddy on the bank on the new riprap at riverside park in Z-ville last monday night. Or did I see a young otter? Muskrats are much smaller than otter and do not share similarities in body shape either. Sep 9, 2006 #2 . Well, he won, it was a beaver. TRACKS Much larger than mink tracks, and very different shape than muskrat, nutria, and If you see a stump that has been chiseled into a point, the culprit was a beaver.

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