So I'm trudging through the swamp the other day and floating in the water is the front arm of a mink from the shoulder on down. The flesh was knawed off of the shoulder leaving only the blade. The rest of the arm was un touched. This was fresh, I would say that evening since it was mid morning. I'm curious as to what would have taken this mink? I'm ruling out a bird of prey unless maybe an owl but even then, the location I found it at doesn't have anything in the way of perches. I can't see a rat doing it and it's to cold for snappers. Mink are tough critters and in 35+ years of trapping, I haven't seen this one. Coon or Possum? I suppose it's possible but I would think a mink would be a might craftier than that. Heck you never know, on my line he may have died of old age!

crayfish attack.

Vole perhaps?

bigger mink.

great horned owl perhaps?

Yep crawdads,lol.

X 2

Otter will tear-up a rat, maybe Mink too?

I never thought of an otter but around here that would make the papers. I did think of another mink but it would have to be a pretty big one. Judging by the front leg, this was a big buck.

otter.. you got a very large population of otter around you. shenango river system is polluted with them,alot came in from ohio. the Allegany river system is full of them also. and yet we have no season on them.we are the forgotten ones in pa!

Sounds like a bird of prey.

https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2012/09/12/river-otter-attacks-fisherman-in-western-pennsylvania/
this one made the papers,look at the date!

Mink are to otter like a fox is to a coyote I believe.

I find it odd that a mink leg would be floating.Would think it would be on bottom.

Well, I believe you. I've only lived in this area about 7 years. However, I've floated down the Shenango from Kids Mill to Big Bend quite a few times in the summer in my canoe and I've never seen a track or any other sign like raised mussel fields or anything like it. Again, I believe you, just say'in though. By the way, what does otter scat look like. I did see some odd scat nearby and I know it wasn't mine.

Minkless, Good call. I just looked at some pictures of otter scat and it just might be an otter. It's very similar. Unfortunately, it was in the water at the crest of a small beaver dam so I won't be able to look at it again, closer. Well, I'm going to have to keep my eyes open for more otter sign. I don't want to accidently get it in a 330 during beaver season.

Here’s the pecking order....A Mink hates a Weasel....and an otter hates a Mink...also seen mink fighting before too..

horned hamster??

We definitely have otters,quite sure you do too Finster,
have seen them numerous times in Big Sandy and at Wilhelm.
The little Shenango river comes out of the ground at a friend of mines house
and you can see Wilhelm,1/4 mile at most,one of the tribs to Wilhelm is on the
other side of one of his fields . I've seen sign on Cool Spring so they're there,

the Oswayo and Honeoye behind the house are gettin polluted with them.