A trapper in southern Vermont submitted this photo showing the tanned pelts of three Northeastern mammals. From left to right, what are they?
Answer
From left to right, fisher, opossum, coyote.
The give away for the fisher is its size and the length of its fur – much larger than a mink, longer fur than an otter. The small red tag affixed to its hind foot was also a clue. Vermont trappers must report fishers to their local game warden, and a permanent tag is affixed to each pelt. The opossum fur is recognizable by its distinctive dirty-white coloration. The red coyote is the curveball of the group. As a general rule, coyotes are husky colored, but they can skew blond, or, like this one, very red. While the guard hairs are red fox colored, the husky tail and darker underfur indicates coyote.
This week’s contest winner was Christina Roy of Rutland, VT