It’s not everyday that you get to see river animals swimming up close.
Kittiya Reeves had the opportunity to see young otters swimming in the Penobscot River while walking on the Brewer Riverwalk on Monday. She also captured video of a mink hopping along the shore.
Adult otters can grow to be three or four feet long, and have sleek brown fur that is waterproof along with a long, thick tapered tail, according to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. They can be found in Maine’s rivers, streams, ponds and lakes, and like muddy banks to slide on.
Meanwhile, mink have a slender body that resembles a weasel, can grow to about two feet long, and have dark brown fur with white fur on the chin. Adolescent mink may not have the distinctive white chin. They also thrive in rivers, streams, ponds and lakes.
Both otters and mink are carnivorous, eating small fish and other aquatic animals. Otters are typically active in the evenings, while mink can be active before dawn and during the dusk hours.
