Beaver or Otter

[Crash]

I've always wanted to see otter in the wild.

This past summer, I came across these two creatures. Not expecting to see otter in a heavily frequented area, I just assumed these two were beaver. Someone I know, who saw the picture of the two on the log, said that these are otters.

I'm awful at identifying creatures. But in the photo, where the two are swimming, I believe I see a beaver tail. But I agree that the tail on the log does not look like a classic beaver tail.

Second opinion?

[Hobbitling]

Yup, otters. beavers dont have much of a neck. I think thats his butt, not his tail. Their bodies are pretty long.

nice picture.

[Swamp Booger]

Definitely otters! Nice going on getting pics of them! I saw one at Lake Durant a few years ago.

[ADKHUNTER]

Otters for sure. Greart Pics!

[Wldrns]

Here's a beaver photo I snapped last summer in the Cowboy Beaver Meadow, just driftin' along.
Compare the head and ear shape with yours.

[chairrock]

I've always wanted to see otter in the wild.

This past summer, I came across these two creatures. Not expecting to see otter in a heavily frequented area, I just assumed these two were beaver. Someone I know, who saw the picture of the two on the log, said that these are otters.

I'm awful at identifying creatures. But in the photo, where the two are swimming, I believe I see a beaver tail. But I agree that the tail on the log does not look like a classic beaver tail.

Second opinion?

The ones in the smaller pic are otter, but the ones in the first pic,the larger one, looks like beaver. Were they the same critters in both pics? I only ask because the pics are different sizes...

[toothlessannie]

Looks to me like two different sets of furbearers, Beaver in the first, Otter in the second.

[chairrock]

Looks to me like two different sets of furbearers, Beaver in the first, Otter in the second.

I agree, you can see the noses on the beavers, hard to mistake that nose when you have worked with a few up close and personal.It is amazing how those teeth curl up inside the sinuses and lower jaw...

[Starshadow]

I see otters in both pics.

[Bill I.]

Both pictures look like otters to me. Yes, the first picture also bears a strong resemblance to beavers, but if you compare the eyes and ears you can see they are the same individuals in both images.

[chairrock]

I think we need to check the DNA or the dental records!

[Hobbitling]

and notice that the beaver snout has a sort of wide crest or bulge on top, wile the otter head snout is relatively flat on top.

Thats the tooth sinus Chairock is talking about. only about 1/4 of the tooth actually shows. the rest is anchored in the skull. The whole tooth, root and all, is around 3-4 inches long!

[chairrock]

and notice that the beaver snout has a sort of wide crest or bulge on top, wile the otter head snout is relatively flat on top.

Thats the tooth sinus Chairock is talking about. only about 1/4 of the tooth actually shows. the rest is anchored in the skull. The whole tooth, root and all, is around 3-4 inches long!

Thanks Halfling! Ive seen them longer...4-6 inches--amazing how they grow out, no wonder they have to chew so much, ahh rodents The lower mandible is the same, goes way back ....

[Bill I.]

Thats the tooth sinus Chairock is talking about. only about 1/4 of the tooth actually shows. the rest is anchored in the skull. The whole tooth, root and all, is around 3-4 inches long!

I posted this picture a while back on the "Beaver Meadow" thread. The entire tooth was as long as one of my fingers.

[chairrock]

Yah, our dogs brought some skulls home one winter also, a couple of guys had cleaned out some problem beavers near camp and had just taken the pelts,critters ate everything but the skulls.