Otter Scat? (1 Viewer)

[Delia]

I found this scat in a suitable otter environment (on a drain bank) it smelt very fishy and appears to contain fish bones I think it is otter scat, but not sure how to tell Otter scat from Mink scat (Mink also seen in the area).
Anyone able to help? Many Thanks

 

[username]

Delia.....i am no expert...
but i would say that from you're description of the 'smell' [plus photo] that this is almost certainly otter scat! Last spring on my local patch i photographed prints and scat and confirmed the presence of an otter......[id made by expert]..although i didn't see the animal! There are mink in my area too...but their scat smells distinctly 'musty' and very pungent! Intensity of 'smell' varies [depending on age of scat]. Otter often sweet/fishy....mink scats/pellets often have fur and feather wrapped inside. Look for skins of frogs perhaps, my otter left dozens of skins near a pond at riverside.
Hope this may be of help.......fascinating elusive creatures! Hope too that someone more experienced offers you some assistance! All the best....

 

[paulthomas]

The best way to tell the difference is smell. Mink scatt is very pungent, acrid almost. If it just smells fishy or has a not unpleasant smell (which some say is like violets but I don't go around sniffing violets so I wouldn't know ) then it's Otter. It's worth looking around for footprints too.

 

[Delia]

Thanks for your help everyone it was definately 'fishy'!