loo REPORT OF NEW JERSEY STATE MUSEUM. 



Family MUSTELIDiE. 



Otters, Weasels and Skunks. 



This group comprises our smaller carnivorous mammals, of 

 which the weasel may be regarded as a typical representative. 

 The larger Pine Martin {Mustela americana) and Fisher (M. 

 pennantii) no doubt formerly occurred in the mountainous parts 

 of northwestern New Jersey, but there seems to be no definite 

 record of the fact. It is possible also that another species of 

 weasel, P. cicognani, may have occurred in the same region. 

 At the present time only four species of Miistelidcu are to be 

 found in the State, belonging to three genera, as follows: 



a. Toes webbed, teeth i 3/3, c i/i, p 4/3, m ^. lutra 

 aa. Toes not webbed. 



b. Teeth i 3/3, c i/l, p 4/4, m J^. mustela (extinct in N. J.) 

 bb. Teeth i 3/3, c i/i, p 3/2-3/3, m yi. 



c. Colors black and white. mephitis 



cc. Colors brown (sometimes white in winter). putorius 



Genus Lutra Brisson. 



Otters. 



Lutra canadensis lataxina (Cuvier). 



Carolina Otter. 



Plate 50. 



Length, 3 feet 6 inches to 4 feet. Body long and somewhat 

 flattened, feet short, toes webbed, tail very broad and flat at the 

 base, where it joins the body. Color, seal brown, lighter be- 

 neath, pale brown on the throat. 



Although rarely seen, otters still remain in more secluded 

 localities along the streams and lakes of the State. They are 

 thoroughly aquatic animals, with webbed toes, and are adepts 



