Otter or mink?

[werdnal]

One morning last year, we discovered nearly all the fish in our garden pond had been eaten by something overnight. The weed in the pond was churned up, so something had obviously been in the water (therefore not a heron), and we found a patch of small fish fragments and scales on the side, suggesting the culprit had brought out each catch and eaten it there and then. We assumed we might be lucky enough to have an otter in the area (or unlucky depending on how you looked at it!).

We have a stream running along our boundary which is the start of the River Fal. There are small trout in it, its is very rural and quiet and we are confident that it could be good otter territory. This stream runs through our neighbours land, and she was out gardening, when she caught sight of something moving along the bank. She maintains it was definately an otter, and it got quite close before seeing her and dashing away.

However, having discussed this with a local aquatic supplier recently, he said otters would not discard any scales or fish fragments and it was more likely a mink, as they are much more bold and would venture into our pond (quite close to our house), without any fear of us.

As this happened at night, I am still quite willing to believe it could be an otter. As we have not actually seen it ourselves, we obviously only have the evidence and our neighbour's account to go on. Any views or comments would be appreciated.

[Earth Hart]

Mink sounds right as they do go on killing sprees given the chance. I've seen what the vermin can do & it's not nice. The ALF have a lot to answer for.

[Tragus]

Hi Werdnal
I wouldn't like to say for sure, but if it is Otter, then Lucky you!!!!!
You could try looking out for footprints and 'spraints' (otter droppings). Usually if there are Otters around the Mink are on a hiding to nothing as Otters are the Minks only real enemy.
Keep a look out for droppings and footprints and take photos.

Hi Earth Hart. I agree with you that the ALF should NEVER have released the mink, but Mink were also already in the countryside due to escapees from fur farms before the ALF interfered.
Also please don't blame the mink for the way they are....they are successful hunters and are ruthless but that is not their fault. Sadly they should never have been brought over here in the first place, and to think they only were for their fur
I truly do feel sorry for the Mink, it's hardly their fault in the end. Yet again man makes a huge mistake and the animals take the blame!
Jo

[Earth Hart]

Originally Posted by Tragus

Hi Werdnal
I wouldn't like to say for sure, but if it is Otter, then Lucky you!!!!!
You could try looking out for footprints and 'spraints' (otter droppings). Usually if there are Otters around the Mink are on a hiding to nothing as Otters are the Minks only real enemy.
Keep a look out for droppings and footprints and take photos.

Hi Earth Hart. I agree with you that the ALF should NEVER have released the mink, but Mink were also already in the countryside due to escapees from fur farms before the ALF interfered.
Also please don't blame the mink for the way they are....they are successful hunters and are ruthless but that is not their fault. Sadly they should never have been brought over here in the first place, and to think they only were for their fur
I truly do feel sorry for the Mink, it's hardly their fault in the end. Yet again man makes a huge mistake and the animals take the blame!
Jo

I have to agree with you Tragus. Shame the european mink wasn't used instead, at least they are not so vicious.

[Bodger]

Mink as people say, shouldn't be here, but you can hardly feel sorry for them. They should be extermiated whenever and wherever they appear !

Thankfully, they are a lot easier to control than the grey squirrel.

[Hokum]

Werdnal, one thing, did your neighbour say it was big? as otters are not small, also was it "fuzzy" or sleek? I've seen mink and they look like water born polecats, otters look much "squarer" in the head.

[colincurry]

Hallo Werdnal

I thought that I had snapped an otter earlier this year, but it turned out to be a mink. If you search the Gallery for mink, there are two snaps there - one head and one complete creature. Perhaps your neighbour's memory might be jogged by these.

Colin

[Gill Catton]

I don't know that that's right about otters, I found a fresh fish skeleton with skin and scales present attached to the bones and otter prints in the sandy shore of the lake by the bones, I suppose like any well fed animal it might leave the not so nice bits if there are more juicy easy to catch fish still in the water....?

[honeybee]

Originally Posted by Tragus

Hi Werdnal
I wouldn't like to say for sure, but if it is Otter, then Lucky you!!!!!
You could try looking out for footprints and 'spraints' (otter droppings). Usually if there are Otters around the Mink are on a hiding to nothing as Otters are the Minks only real enemy.
Keep a look out for droppings and footprints and take photos.

Hi Earth Hart. I agree with you that the ALF should NEVER have released the mink, but Mink were also already in the countryside due to escapees from fur farms before the ALF interfered.
Also please don't blame the mink for the way they are....they are successful hunters and are ruthless but that is not their fault. Sadly they should never have been brought over here in the first place, and to think they only were for their fur
I truly do feel sorry for the Mink, it's hardly their fault in the end. Yet again man makes a huge mistake and the animals take the blame!
Jo

Very well said Tragus

[chunkychambers]

Otters certainly do leave scales and general fish debris where they devour their catch, and, as long as you keep your distance, would have no concerns about entering your pond.

If you know where the animal enters your property, lay down a sand trap which it has to walk over, this will allow you to check its prints.
Also the Otter is much larger than the Mink with a longer tail and white throat.
If you come across any droppings (spraint) they are black, pencil thin, and usually in a prominent spot, smell them!! Otter spraint smells lovely, really, all sweet and fishy, but Mink is a harsh ammonia aroma.

Mink are wanton killers, and as such have many enemies, but you can't blame an animal for doing what comes naturally, where they enter an Otters territory they come off second best and are seen off!!

Good luck with your spotting, the two animals are not really alike, I'm sure you'll know as soon as you see something.

Keep us informed please.....All the best