Otter in Union County?

[logs22]

Originally Posted by acabtp

it was a beaver or muskrat

Challenge accepted. I will return if\when I see and photograph the otter\muskrat\hallucination.

[Billfish715]

Why not an otter? I've also seen them in the Great Swamp. There have been flocks of turkeys throughout U.C. I've seen gobblers and hens in downtown Westfield and Clark and roosting on houses in Plainfield. There have been bears, coyotes, foxes, lots of deer, pheasants, woodcock, and various waterfowl. Why not an otter.

We had one hanging around our dock in Manasquan. They do get around. Why should there not be an otter in Cranford? As for the fishing, it's still my go to spot for carp. I just wish there were a plan for dredging the place though.

I'm happy that you saw an otter. Most people never will. Good luck seeing one again. They are very skittish. As for beavers, their tell tale tree falls and gnaw marks would be a good indication of their presence.

[liveitup1.75liter]

I saw n otter a few weeks ago in raritan below the junction.. bigger then a muskrat.. longer then a beaver. But it had a dog tail.. big mighty impressive rounded tail.. seen many of mink in my.days so I rules that out too..

[Jigman13]

There was a seal in Woodbridge a few years back. Legitimately on the road off of St George by the Wendy's. I think an otter can find its way into UC.

[Delawareriver]

Otters are definitely rebounding and every year there are more and more with the young ones being pushed out to find their own territory. They are definitely starting to pop up in places that they havnt been seen in years.

[Ken Lyons]

Otters are shaped like a long dachshund. Not at all like a beaver and way bigger than a muskrat. They can swim circles around both. We now have Fishers in many suburban areas that haven't seen them in years. Why not otters?

[logs22]

Originally Posted by Ken Lyons

Otters are shaped like a long dachshund. Not at all like a beaver and way bigger than a muskrat. They can swim circles around both. We now have Fishers in many suburban areas that haven't seen them in years. Why not otters?

The length of their body, the tail, and the way they move in the water make them pretty distinctive. I still want to get a picture though. Hard since they are apparently mostly active at night this time of year.

[Jigman13]

Originally Posted by Ken Lyons

Otters are shaped like a long dachshund. Not at all like a beaver and way bigger than a muskrat. They can swim circles around both. We now have Fishers in many suburban areas that haven't seen them in years. Why not otters?

Fisher cats are nasty dude. They'll eat your small dogs and cats and are known to attack children up in the Adirondacks. I want one lol

[antgogz]

There is a lake in jefferson township that I fish at and I am certain there is an otter living in the lake. I have seen it from boat very close up and it does not have a tail like a beaver and I know it is not a muskrat. They are really quick swimmers.

[JDTuna]

Originally Posted by Jigman13

There was a seal in Woodbridge a few years back. Legitimately on the road off of St George by the Wendy's. I think an otter can find its way into UC.

Makes sense. Must have been after their cod sandwich haha.