Another Mystery Animal

Susan had a good day yesterday when she picked up this creature from the vet. Nobody there knew what it was. Do you?

No, it isn't a squirrel, although it resembles one.

At first, Susan thought it was an otter, but you'll notice, as she soon did, the feet aren't webbed.

We wondered for a while if it were a muskrat, but look at that tail.

Finally, with the aid of the white chin, we realized...


...that it is...


Well, I'll give you a hint:


... one is worthless,


................two could be rather valuable,


........................and several breeding pairs could have you living high.

It's a mink!

Susan is thrilled.

She'll be a little less so when that baby is a bit older and develops its characteristic odor. You see, it's a member of the Mustelid family, which includes martins, weasels, ferrets, and, of course, skunks.

Oh, well. It's still worth being thrilled over!

Tomorrow I'll tell you about the three skunk kittens I had three or four years ago.

Right now, bed, because Tiki the mouse is going to want a feeding around 3 a.m.

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