Post by Super Communist on Oct 14, 2011 17:20:16 GMT -5
The American mink differs from members of the genus Mustela (stoats and weasels) by its larger size and stouter form, which closely approaches that of martens. It shares with martens a uniformly enlarged, bushy and somewhat tapering tail, rather than a slenderly terete tail with an enlarged bushy tip, as is the case in stoats. The American mink is similar in build to the European mink, but the tail is longer (constituting 38-51% of its body length).
The American mink has a long body, which allows the species to enter the burrows of prey. Its streamlined shape helps it to reduce water resistance whilst swimming. The skull of the American mink is similar to that of the European mink, but is more massive, narrower and less elongated, with more strongly developed projections and a wider, shorter cranium. The upper molars are larger and more massive than those of the European mink.
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Oriental small-clawed otters are the smallest of all otters in the world. The overall length can range from 70 to 100 cm (28–39 in), about 30 cm (12 in) of which is comprised by the tail. Weight can range from 1 to 5.4 kg (2.2-11.9 lbs). Their body shape is typically slender, streamlined and serpentine, and its flexibility allows grooming of almost all their fur. Dark, grayish-brown fur covers most of the dorsal surface with a lighter cream coloration on the ventral surface, especially on their face and neck. The fur has relatively short hairs less than 2.5 cm in length, and it is fine, dense and velvety. Otters have two types of fur: long, stout guard hairs and a short, fine undercoat.
