ID: Mink? Col Sam

[Kin Lau]

Is this a mink? This was at Col Sam this morning.



Thanks.

ps. Any suggestion for a good wildlife ID guide for North America? I've got the Kaufman's & Sibley's for Birds.

[frozenice7885]

yes

[Mark D]

I have the Kaufman's guide for Mammals of North America and I find it quite useful. And yes, your animal is a mink.

Mark

[Brian Bailey]

Chocolate brown all over with white under the chin is a Mink.

How did you get such a nice view?  The only way I've been able to get close to the one (ones?) at Sam Smith is when they are coming along the shore towards me and don't notice I'm there.

I have an old Peterson Guide to the mammals of North America.  It's very comprehensive, but there are probably more user-friendly ones out there now.

BB

[Kin Lau]

Thanks everyone. I'll have a look at the Kaufman's & Peterson guides.

Here's another look at it. We got down to ice level and it came out and about a few times.

[Jaedon]

awwww he/she/it is soo cute lol.  Where is Col Sam Smith pk anyway?

[Kin Lau]

Hi Jaedon,

Col Sam Smith Park is located at the south end of Kipling Ave in Toronto.

If driving, go south on the 427 to QEW East, exit at Kipling Ave, go all the way south, past Humber College and park in the last parking lot (free, but the students use up most of the spots... the 2nd last lot is paid parking and is nearly empty most of the time).

It's a great spot for winter ducks, spring and fall migration.

[Brian Bailey]

Looking at the paws in that first shot, I was thinking that if the Mink had been named by an ornithologist, we would probably be calling it a "Semipalmated Waterweasel".  (Or if it happened to be the same ornithologist who classified the waterthrushes, maybe it would be the Semipalmated Watersquirrel :wink:)

BB

[Kin Lau]

Just an update... I got the Kaufman's Wildlife guide this week, thanks for all the help.