It also seemed more active, as you mentioned, and more curious. But perspective is everything here. The name ermine / Ë ÉËr m ɪ n / is used for species in the genus Mustela, especially the stoat, in its pure white winter coat, or the fur thereof. Reply. So, these are some points which explain the difference between mink and ferret, and also weasels. Mink vs Weasel . Stone/Baum Marten North American wild furs, baum marten offers a soft, gold look somewhere between golden sable and gold-dyed mink. Otters and mink belong to the stoat family, and some of the other species within the family look similar, especially at a distance. Yes. The crucial difference is that these other mustelids swim rarely if at all. Mink. There are two extant species referred to as "mink": the American mink and the European mink. Mink are much smaller than otters; mink are less than the size of a house cat, while otters are the size of a medium-sized dog. Predators. Quite similar to otter prints, they show five toes in a splayed, star shape. Food. which belong to the same family. The sea otter, which has the densest fur of any animal, narrowly escaped the fate of the sea mink. Pingback: Another Close Look: Mink vs. Otters also can be identified by the evidence they leave behind. Ferrets are the only domesticated one of the mustelidae family. Mink can be brown or black, but many mink in Iowa are black year-round. Size is another factor. Sometimes both mink and weasel have been named under the same generic name, but sometimes not. To drive or hunt out of a lurking place, as a ferret does the cony; to search out by patient and sagacious efforts; - often used with out; as, to ferret out a secret. The extinct sea mink is related to the American mink, but was much larger. They weigh 25 to 56 ounces (700 to 1,600 grams) and are 18 to 27.5 inches (46 to 70 centimeters) long. As nouns the difference between weasel and otter is that weasel is the least weasel, mustela nivalis while otter is any aquatic or marine carnivorous mammal, member of the family mustelidae , which also includes weasels, polecats, badgers, and others or otter can be (obsolete) annatto. All of which makes mink sound like a scouring pad. Do otters make a soft chitter sound? Mink, weasels and martens are all members of the Mustelidae (Weasel family), which also includes otters, skunks, fishers, ferrets, wolverines and badgers. Iâve heard a lot of mistaken IDs over the years, and have certainly made my share of slip-ups when seeing some animals at first glance.Muskrat vs. Beaver happens a lot. An ermine is dark brown in summer with a white belly, feet and a white line down its hind leg. , according to the American mink, but the differences are very minor June 15, 2010 8:33. Hard to picture but I have looked at the clip, mink or a. 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