And the Winner is... The River Otter

Scientific Name: Lontra canadensis

Habitat: Riparian habitats where there are lots of aquatic organnisms. A riparian habitat is the interface between land and a stream.** Otters live in abandoned beaver dens in the banks of mountain rivers.*

Diet: crayfish, frogs, fish, young muskrats and beavers* (these are the preferred foods of river otters)

Coloration: dark brown with silver brown beneath*

Mating: mate in the spring; the embryo does not begin to develop until the following winter. The pups are born in early spring, in litters ranging from 1 to 4 pups. While the mother is still nursing the babies, mating occurs again.*

Fun Facts: Otters do not paddle (sometimes they do) when they swim. They instead use eel-like movements with their bodies to get around.* Otters swim for fun, no to hunt.* These animals are much bigger than minks. Twice as long (3-4.5 ft) and five, yes, 5, times heavier than minks (an average of 17.5 lbs).*

Questions? Comments? Leave them here and I'll answer them (or try to).

Sources:
*http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/SpeciesOfConcern/Mammals/RiverOtter.htm
**http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riparian_zone