beaver
If you spot a furry, brown animal along the banks of a local waterway, several possibilities may spring to mind. Is it a beaver or muskrat? It could be, but another likely possibility is that it's an American mink, a lesser-known mammal that can be seen in and near our waterways.
Here are a few fast facts about minks:
1. If you get a good look, you can easily identify a mink thanks to the patch of white fur they have on their chins.
2. They are ferocious hunters and can kill animals much larger than themselves.
3. Just like cats, minks will purr when they are happy or content.