Posted by Bill Maile on August 18, 2012 at 12:24 PM
This is in northeastern PA where I have seen river otters several times before. When I look online at various sources, I'm convinced it is another river otter. It appears the tail is elongated, and the fur a bit different--but I'm not sure.
The small pond this is in however, has seen a lot of beaver activity this year. A wonderful dam was recently bulldozed out, as it was creating some flooding of the area. However, right near where this animal was spotted, the dam is obviously being rebuilt.
Your positive ID is appreciated--yes I labeled the photos "beaver" at first! Thanks. :)
Posted by Bill Maile on August 18, 2012 at 12:30 PM
OK, should have posted this first. IDK.
Posted by Jake Dingel on August 18, 2012 at 2:39 PM
Looks like a beaver to me.
Posted by Eva McDermott on August 18, 2012 at 9:35 PM
Looks like a beaver to me too Bill. We have a pond behind our place which has 3 beaver lodges on it. I see them swim by ever now and then. They also slap their trail on the surface of the water if they feel threatened (dog or people too close).
Hi Bill! Would be awesome if you had a friendly river otter to photograph...at least that would rank pretty high for me...but I'm awfully sure this is a beaver. As a former fly fishing outfitter along the Canadian Rockies, I've seen these guys literally hundreds of times I think, and both your pictures look pretty classic beaver to me!
Still a fun critter to watch and photograph, though!
BUT, I can't say unequivocally it's not an otter...just giving you my first and second impression.
Posted by Bill Maile on August 18, 2012 at 11:22 PM
Thank you folks!! I have been wrong so many times before. :)
John, I have photo'd a "friendly" river otter or two in the same pond before, according to the knowledge base here. Which I trust implicitly. Several times.
But this past year, with the dam they put up... I'm very happy to know this is a beaver this time. Within a half of a mile here, I've had the pleasure to watch river otters (almost extinct in PA 10 years ago), a mink scampering on ice, and now a beaver.
The otters to me are the most fun, as they were/are much more active and approached me as I hissed at them. They were ID'd as river otters a couple of times, so I hope that was correct and I will be watching for this beaver again. :)
Discussion
6 repliesThe small pond this is in however, has seen a lot of beaver activity this year. A wonderful dam was recently bulldozed out, as it was creating some flooding of the area. However, right near where this animal was spotted, the dam is obviously being rebuilt.
Your positive ID is appreciated--yes I labeled the photos "beaver" at first! Thanks. :)
Still a fun critter to watch and photograph, though!
BUT, I can't say unequivocally it's not an otter...just giving you my first and second impression.
John, I have photo'd a "friendly" river otter or two in the same pond before, according to the knowledge base here. Which I trust implicitly. Several times.
But this past year, with the dam they put up... I'm very happy to know this is a beaver this time. Within a half of a mile here, I've had the pleasure to watch river otters (almost extinct in PA 10 years ago), a mink scampering on ice, and now a beaver.
The otters to me are the most fun, as they were/are much more active and approached me as I hissed at them. They were ID'd as river otters a couple of times, so I hope that was correct and I will be watching for this beaver again. :)