Strange mountain critter id ?

• Aug 18, 2017

• #1

Dixiesimpleman32

GONetwork Member

Saw a critter cross the road in front of me today. I was up in rabun county. It was about two n half feet long. It was about 8 inches tall. Dark color in front lighter toward back. Looked like feret or mink . I have not seen a critter like it around my neck of the woods around pike. Any ideas what I saw. It was fast short legged critter. Also saw a armadilo on 441north of athens.

 

• Aug 18, 2017

• #2

Lukikus2

Senior Member

Fox squirrel maybe.

 

• Aug 18, 2017

• #3

Nicodemus

The Recluse

Staff member

Otter.

 

• Aug 18, 2017

• #4

Dixiesimpleman32

GONetwork Member

Could have been fox squirrel but a bunch of those around my place. See them a lot. Looked more like feret or mink .it didn't look like it had a tail

 

• Aug 18, 2017

• #5

Dixiesimpleman32

GONetwork Member

Looked to be to small to be a otter. I see a lot of those around the house. It was long thin like a feret or mink .

 

• Aug 18, 2017

• #6

Nicodemus

The Recluse

Staff member

Dixiesimpleman32 said:

Looked to be to small to be a otter. I see a lot of those around the house. It was long thin like a feret or mink .

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This time of the year it could be a young one.

 

• Aug 19, 2017

• #7

P

Possum

Banned

We have weasels around here. Only one I ever saw was about 12" long. But 2.5' long sounds more like otter. There are no fox squirrels around here.
We have armadillos up here as well.

 

• Aug 19, 2017

• #8

C

C.Killmaster

Georgia Deer Biologist

Dixiesimpleman32 said:

Looked to be to small to be a otter. I see a lot of those around the house. It was long thin like a feret or mink .

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Could have been a mink, that's within their normal range. They're around, but very rare to see. I've only seen one in my life.

 

• Aug 19, 2017

• #9

Dixiesimpleman32

GONetwork Member

Thanks for replies. I believe it was a mink or weasel. Had real short legs ran real fast .stayed low did not jump or hop when it ran. It was a cool looking critter.

 

• Aug 19, 2017

• #10

NCHillbilly

Administrator

Staff member

You familiar with groundhogs? If not a mink, coulda been a half-grown groundhog. Mink are dark all over.

 

• Aug 20, 2017

• #11

jigman29

Senior Member

Im with hillbilly. Bet money it was a groundhog. We got plenty up here.

 

• Aug 20, 2017

• #12

C

C.Killmaster

Georgia Deer Biologist

NCHillbilly said:

You familiar with groundhogs? If not a mink, coulda been a half-grown groundhog. Mink are dark all over.

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If there was kudzu anywhere nearby, that would make a really good case for a groundhog.

 

• Aug 20, 2017

• #13

P

Possum

Banned

Hard to believe any one would describe a groundhog as looking like a ferret.

 

• Aug 20, 2017

• #14

Full Draw McGraw

Senior Member

I bet it was a long tailed weasel. Right dimensions and they can have plenty of color variation.