Examples of animals like otters include badgers, beavers, martens, minks, and raccoons.
Otters belong to the family Mustelidae and belong to the order Carnivora. Otters have furry bodies, long tails, and webbed feet that make them excellent swimmers.
While they are often found in water, otters can also adapt to living on land. This characteristic allows them to occupy a wide variety of habitats around the world. Although they share some similarities with other animals, otters have unique features that set them apart from their counterparts.
In this blog post, we will take a closer look at some of the animals that resemble otters the most.
Examples of Animals that Look Like Otters
1. American Badger
| Scientific Name | Taxidea taxus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North America |
The American badger is a member of the mustelid family and is found in North America. Badgers have short legs and stocky bodies with a wide head. They are proficient in digging animals and often create burrows to live in or store food.
Badgers are solitary creatures and are not often seen in groups. Although they are shy animals, they can be aggressive when threatened.
2. American Beaver
| Scientific Name | Castor canadensis |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North America |
The American beaver is one of the most well-known animals in North America. These rodents are known for their dam building and their furry tails. Beavers also have webbed feet, which help them swim well.
While beavers do share some similarities with otters, there are also some key differences. One of the biggest differences is that beavers are strictly herbivores, while otters are carnivores. Beavers also have shorter legs and rounder bodies than otters.
Related Article: Are Beavers Vegetarians?
3. American Martens
| Scientific Name | Martes americana |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Canada and Alaska |
The American marten (Martes americana) is a member of the weasel family and is the closest living relative to the otter.
While the American marten does not have webbed feet, it does share many other similarities with otters. Both animals have long, slim bodies that are covered in fur. They also have long tails, sharp claws, and are proficient swimmers.
The two animals also occupy similar habitats. American martens can be found in forests across North America, where they climb trees in search of prey. They are also known to enter streams and ponds to catch fish.
4. American Mink
| Scientific Name | Neovison vison |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North America |
The American mink is a semi-aquatic mammal that is found in North America and Europe. Minks are small animals with dark brown fur and long, slender body. They have webbed toes and sharp claws that help them climb trees and swim.
Minks are solitary animals and prefer to live in wooded areas near water. They are good swimmers and can stay submerged for up to five minutes.
5. Asian Badger
| Scientific Name | Meles leucurus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Asia |
The Asian badger, also known as the honey badger, is a member of the mustelid family. This family includes weasels, otters, and ferrets. The Asian badger is native to Asia and is found in countries like China, India, Nepal, and Pakistan.
The Asian badger has a few features that make it resemble an otter. First, they both have long, slender bodies. Second, they both have short legs and webbed feet, which help them swim well. Finally, they both have furry coats that keep them warm in the water.
6. Chesapeake Bay Raccoons
| Scientific Name | Procyon lotor |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North America |
The most notable similarity between raccoons and otters is their physical appearance. Both animals have long, furry bodies, masked faces, and bushy tails. They also both love swimming! In fact, the Chesapeake Bay area is home to a species of raccoon known as the “swamp rat” which is an excellent swimmer.
7. Eastern Raccoons
| Scientific Name | Procyon lotor |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | all U.S. states and Canadian provinces |
Although eastern raccoons are not water dwelling animals, they have several physical features that make them look like otters. For instance, both animals have long, furry tails and webbed feet. In addition, their bodies are similar in size and shape.
However, there are some key differences between the two animals. Eastern raccoons have black “masks” on their faces, while otters do not. In addition, raccoons are omnivores, while otters are carnivores.
8. Eastern Spotted Skunk
| Scientific Name | Spilogale putorius |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | United States and northeastern Mexico |
The Eastern Spotted Skunk is a small carnivore that is native to North America. The animal is closely related to the Striped Skunk and has similar features such as its black and white fur.
However, what sets the Eastern Spotted Skunk apart from other skunks is its spotted fur pattern. This feature gives the skunk its name and is also one of the main ways to distinguish it from other skunks.
Read Also: 22 Animals that Look Like Skunks
9. Eurasian Beavers
| Scientific Name | Castor fiber |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | southern Scandinavia, Germany, France, Poland and central Russia |
The Eurasian beaver is the largest species of beaver in the world. They are also the only species of beaver that is found outside of North America. Eurasian beavers have many similarities to otters, including their furry bodies, long tails, and webbed feet.
One main difference between these two animals is that Eurasian beavers are proficient tree-climbers, while otters are not. Another distinction is that Eurasian beavers build dams and lodges out of sticks and logs, while otters do not.
Read Also: Platypus vs Beaver
10. European Badger
| Scientific Name | Meles meles |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | British Isles, Europe, and Scandinavia |
The European badger is a member of the mustelid family, which includes otters, and is found in Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Badgers are relatively small animals with short legs and bodies. They have long, thick fur that is brown or black in color.
Badgers are mostly nocturnal animals that live in burrows. They are omnivores and feed on a variety of foods, including insects, small mammals, and fruit.
Badgers have short, sharp claws that they use for digging and for defense. They are also proficient swimmers and can hold their breath for up to two minutes underwater.
Related Article: Do European Badger Burrow Underground?
11. European Mink
| Scientific Name | Mustela lutreola |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Eastern Europe |
The European mink is a species of mustelid that is native to Europe. This animal is similar to the otter in appearance and behavior. Both animals have long, slim bodies and webbed feet. The European mink is also an excellent swimmer and can be found in a variety of habitats including rivers, streams, and lakes.
12. Ferrets
| Scientific Name | Mustela putorius furo |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Worldwide |
Ferrets belong to the same family as otters, Mustelidae. They are small carnivorous mammals with long bodies and short legs. Like otters, they have long tails and furry coats.
Ferrets are often mistaken for otters because of their similarities in appearance. However, there are some key differences between the two animals. For instance, ferrets have shorter noses and ears than otters. In addition, ferrets typically weigh less than otters.
Related Article: Do Ferrets Kill Snakes?
13. Fishers
| Scientific Name | Pekania pennanti |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North America |
Fishers are often mistaken for otters because of their long, slim bodies and furry tails. They are also members of the mustelid family and share many of the same characteristics as otters. However, fishers are actually more closely related to weasels than they are to otters.
14. Florida Raccoons
| Scientific Name | Procyon lotor |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North and South America |
Raccoons belong to the same family as otters, Mustelidae. Both animals have long tails and are proficient swimmers. Raccoons are found in North and South America and their diet consists of fish, amphibians, reptiles, and birds.
While they may look similar at first glance, there are some key differences between raccoons and otters. Raccoons have shorter legs and rounder bodies, while otters have longer, slimmer bodies. In addition, raccoons are nocturnal animals and their fur is not as dense as that of otters.
15. Greater Hog Badger
| Scientific Name | Arctonyx collaris |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North and South America |
The greater hog badger (Arctonyx collaris) is a species of mustelid that is found in central and Southeast Asia. Despite their name, hog badgers are not closely related to true badgers. They are, however, more closely related to otters than any other animal on this list.
Hog badgers have long, coarse fur that is dark brown or black in color. They also have a white stripe that runs down their back and a white patch on their chest. Their bodies are compact and muscular with short legs. Like otters, hog badgers have webbed feet that help them swim.
16. Hog-nosed Badger
| Scientific Name | Arctonyx collaris |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Southeast Asia |
The hog-nosed badger looks somewhat like a cross between an otter and a pig. These badgers have long, stout bodies with short legs. Their tails are relatively short and their noses resemble that of a pig.
Hog-nosed badgers are found in Southeast Asia. They inhabit forests, swamps, and grasslands. These badgers are proficient swimmers and often enter the water to catch fish.
Hog-nosed badgers are solitary animals. They are nocturnal and spend most of their time alone. These badgers are not considered to be endangered.
17. Honey Badgers
| Scientific Name | Mellivora capensis |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | sub-Saharan Africa |
Honey badgers (Mellivora capensis) are members of the mustelid family, which includes otters, weasels, and ferrets. These animals are known for their fierce demeanor and their ability to take down prey much larger than themselves.
The honey badger is native to Africa, Asia, and Europe. They have short, dense fur that is gray or white in color. Honey badgers are excellent diggers and often make their homes in burrows underground.
Related Article: Does Honey Badgers Have Claws?
18. Muskrats
| Scientific Name | Ondatra zibethicus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North America |
Muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) are a type of rodent that is closely related to the otter. These animals are found in North America and parts of Europe and Asia. Muskrats have brown fur and can grow to be up to 2 feet (60 cm) long.
Like otters, muskrats are excellent swimmers and have webbed feet. These features help them move through the water with ease. Muskrats also build dens on the banks of rivers and lakes.
19. Sea Mink
| Scientific Name | Neovison macrodon |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Gulf of Maine area |
The sea mink (Neovison macrodon) is a species of mustelid that is closely related to the otter. The sea mink is the largest member of the weasel family and can reach lengths of up to 3 feet (0.91 m).
The sea mink is found along the coast of North America from Newfoundland to Nova Scotia. It is a marine mammal that spends most of its time in the water, where it preys on fish and shellfish.
20. Siberian Mink
| Scientific Name | Mustela sibirica |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Siberia, Russia |
The Siberian mink is a subspecies of the American mink. They are both members of the Mustelidae family, which includes weasels, badgers, and wolverines. The main difference between the two is that Siberian minks are larger in size.
Both otters and Siberian minks have long, furry bodies that help them stay warm in the water. They also have webbed feet, which assist with swimming. Otters have a more streamlined body shape that helps them move through the water quickly, while Siberian minks have a more compact body that allows them to maneuver better on land.
21. Striped Skunks
| Scientific Name | Mephitis |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | throughout North America |
The striped skunk is a member of the mustelid family and is closely related to otters. These animals are actually part of the same subfamily, which includes weasels, badgers, and wolverines. Like otters, skunks have long, furry bodies and tails. They also have webbed feet that make them good swimmers.
22. Stoats
| Scientific Name | Mustela erminea |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North America, Europe, and Asia |
Stoats are a member of the weasel family and are also Carnivores. Like otters, they have long, slim bodies with short legs and long tails. They are also excellent swimmers and have webbed feet. The main difference between stoats and otters is their fur. Stoats have white fur on their belly and black fur on their back, while otters have brown fur all over their body.
23. Weasels
| Scientific Name | Mustela |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | all over the world |
Weasels are members of the Mustelidae family, just like otters. They have long, slender bodies with short legs and tails. Weasels are also excellent swimmers and have webbed feet.
One of the most notable differences between weasels and otters is their fur. Weasels have brown or reddish-brown fur, while otters have darker fur that is usually gray or black.
24. Wolverine
| Scientific Name | Gulo gulo |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Canada and Alaska |
The wolverine is a land-dwelling creature that is native to North America, Europe, and Asia. Like the otter, the wolverine has a furry body, long tail, and short legs. Wolverines are also proficient swimmers and climbers.
One of the main differences between the wolverine and otter is their size. Wolverines are much larger than otters, weighing up to 140 pounds. They are also more aggressive and have been known to kill prey larger than themselves.
Read Also: Do Otters Live in Ponds?
Conclusion
Many animals look like otters and they all share some common characteristics. They are all proficient swimmers with webbed feet and sharp claws. They also have thick fur that helps to keep them warm in cold climates.
Otters occupy a wide variety of habitats, from forests to streams to the open ocean. While they are typically solitary creatures, they will sometimes form small groups or families.
Hi, I’m Garreth. Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal. When I was younger I always wanted to be a game ranger but unfortunately, life happens and now at least I get to write about them and tell you my experiences.