104 



Order CARNIVORA 



In summer, a tuft of fur or feathers and bluebottle flies near 

 what appears to be a woodchuck or a muskrat burrow are 

 signs that a mink may be using the burrow. 



Distribution. — The mink is fairly common in all parts of 

 Illinois. The subspecies Miistela vison letifera HoUister is 

 found north and west of the Illinois River and M. v. mink Peale 

 & Beauvois in the remainder of the state. The range of the 

 species includes most of Canada, Alaska, and the United States. 

 It does not include the extreme north or the arid regions of 

 southwestern United States. 



LUTRA CANADENSIS (Schreber) 

 River Otter 



Description. — The river otter, fig. 66, is an elongate, short- 

 legged, thick-tailed aquatic cousin of the mink and the weasels. 

 Its thick, short fur, small ears, round tail, which is thick at the 

 base and tapered to a tip, and large webbed feet are adapta- 

 tions for agility and speed in the water. The fur is mostly a 

 rich dark brown, slightly lighter in tone on the under parts, 

 grayish brown on the throat, and grayish white on the chin and 

 lips. 



Length measurements: head and body about 28 inches (700 

 mm.) ; tail 16 inches (400 mm.) ; over-all about 43 inches 

 (1,100 mm.); hind foot 5i/^ inches (130 mm.). Width of tail 



Fig. 66. — River otter. 



