mustelid
Otter's taxonomic group
A mustelid is any member of the weasel family, a diverse group of carnivorous mammals that includes weasels, ferrets, otters, badgers, wolverines, and minks.
Mustelids are typically characterized by long, slender bodies, short legs, and scent glands that can produce powerful odors.
They range from the tiny least weasel to the hefty wolverine and occupy habitats from arctic tundra to tropical forests.
The river otter is my favorite mustelid.
Semi-aquatic weasel relative
- ferretDomesticated weasel kept as pet
- minkFur-bearing aquatic weasel
- badgerNag persistently
- martenTree-climbing weasel relative
wolverine · stoat · ermine · sable · polecat · fisher · honey badger · sea otter
Fur-bearing animal skin
- coatOuter garment or layer
- pelageMammal's fur collectively
- softYielding to touch
- denseClosely packed together
waterproof · luxurious · glossy · silky · plush · underfur · guard hairs · prized
Smooth and elegant
- streamlinedMade smooth and efficient
- litheSupple and graceful
- elongatedStretched beyond usual dimensions
- slenderThin and graceful
flexible · sinuous · agile · short-legged · long-bodied · nimble · muscular · spine
Animal-derived fragrance base
- anal glandsSecretion sacs near anus
- pungentSharply strong-smelling
- sprayDispersed liquid droplets
- odorousEmitting a scent
stink · secretion · defense · warning · scent marking · gamey · skunky · pheromones
otter
Semi-aquatic weasel relative
marten · wolverine · stoat · ermine · sable · polecat · fisher · honey badger · sea otter · pine marten
pelt
Fur-bearing animal skin
dense · waterproof · luxurious · glossy · silky · plush · underfur · guard hairs · prized · trapping
sleek
Smooth and elegant
- streamlinedMade smooth and efficient
- litheSupple and graceful
- elongatedStretched beyond usual dimensions
slender · flexible · sinuous · agile · short-legged · long-bodied · nimble · muscular · spine · low-slung
musk
Animal-derived fragrance base
- anal glandsSecretion sacs near anus
- pungentSharply strong-smelling
- sprayDispersed liquid droplets
odorous · stink · secretion · defense · warning · scent marking · gamey · skunky · pheromones
carnivore
Creature eating only animals
stalker · nocturnal · fangs · claws · territorial · solitary · apex · pounce · kill · rodent
den
Private room or lair
underground · chamber · excavate · lair · earth · hole · digging · nest · warren · gallery