fishes, which it captures with remarkable dexterity. 

 It is not as aquatic as the Otter, however, and forages 

 on land, feeding on rats, mice, muskrats, marsh birds 

 and their eggs, rabbits, and, occasionally, poultry. 



The mink is a very valuable fur-bearing animal 

 and is much sought after by trappers, who have re- 

 duced its numbers considerably. The mating season 

 begins in the early part of March and litters of from 

 three to ten young are born in the latter part of April. 



The animal attains a length of about twenty-four 

 inches. The tail, which is quite bushy, is less than one- 

 third the total length. The females are much smaller 

 than the males, although they are similarly colored. 



The general color is dark brown, becoming slight- 

 ly paler beneath and with a whitish chin and throat. 

 The outer hairs are long, harsh and somewhat glossy 

 but the dense undercoat is short and soft. The body is 

 somewhat similar to that of the weasel but the animal 

 is heavier and much larger. The head is almost tri- 

 angular in shape and the legs are very short. There are 

 five toes on all feet, the soles of which are hairy, al- 

 though the foot pads are naked. The ears are quite 

 short. 



Otter 



Lutra canadensis 



Although not as common as formerly, the otter is 

 far from being exterminated in Pennsylvania. The 

 otter is the largest native member of the weasel fam- 

 ily (mustelidae). It is a very shy animal, living chiefly 

 along the banks of lakes and streams, and is remarkably 

 adapted to living in the water. Usually otters live in 

 groups of from four to eight, placing their nests under 



-^ 99 >*- 



