I am pretty sure this critter is a river otter; however I am not 100 percent sure. I am much better at shooting photos of animals and birds in our area than identifying them.
This is sure an interesting animal and it did not stick around long at all for me to take photographs. If you have not stopped at the overlook area on Tennessee Highway 49 between Bear Spring and Carlisle at Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge, then you are missing some great opportunities for nature watching and photography.
This little animal, a river otter I am fairly sure, was on the bank where I was looking to see if I could get a shot of the swans.
I can identify a squirrel and sometimes I will go out on a limb and say I have shot a bird .. and name the bird.. Sometimes I hedge on that. This animal was on the banks of Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge Sunday near the new ‘lookout area’ that has been built on Tenn. 49. On down I have a photo of the animal having jumped (or almost having jumped) completely into the water.
So if anyone knows for certain if this is or is not a river otter. It was sleek a long tail rather than flat like a beaver and it has chin whiskers.
River otters are supposed to have chin whiskers, but almost no chin. I am pretty sure this little fellow isa river otter. He (or she) sure did not stay around long to pose for photos!
I originally posted these photos on March 15, 2022, but updated some of the content.
