Animal ID

[alabjr]

Since I wasn’t able to snap a picture, I know there’s no way to be 100% sure but here’s what I saw:

I was walking my property with some friends and got to the point of showing them the wooded portion. They were literally at that moment asking about what kinds of critters I’ve seen around and I was saying I’ve seen fox and coyote. Then a few seconds later maybe about 75yds away I saw what I initially thought was a fox because of the similar body length, height, and fluffy long tail. However, it was definitely not red or gray, but black or close to it. Also, the torso was longer meaning the front and back legs were farther from eachother. Lastly, the head was not pointy like a fox. And it definitely didn’t look like or walk like a cat either. 
 

I’m in Whitehouse Station, what seems likely? Marten? Fisher? Mink? Not sure which of those (if any) are normally found around here, but when I did some research online those are the 3 body types that most closely match what we saw yesterday. Fisher being the closest match in my opinion. Just don’t know if that makes sense, I assumed those species are found up farther north.

Thoughts?

[Rusty]

Eastern coyotes have significant amounts of dog and wolf DNA in them.  As a result they come in all shapes, sizes, and colors.  It sounds like you saw a young yote.  

[bushden]

8 minutes ago, Rusty said:

Eastern coyotes have significant amounts of dog and wolf DNA in them.  As a result they come in all shapes, sizes, and colors.  It sounds like you saw a young yote.  

I do believe you are correct.

[Bucndoe]

Fishers are in the weasel family and are tree climbers. They are nothing like a fox or coyote. They are mink on steroids. There are no marten in NJ presently, but fishers are here in numerous counties.

Coyotes have numerous color phases and combinations. Foxes when rubbed up have multiple different colors as well.

If mange, at any phase in the disease is present, it will alter the look of the animal as well. Tough call without pictures.

Edited January 29, 2023 by Bucndoe

[gregtpal]

If it was big enough to b a possible coyote, you can eliminate mink & martin.  Fishers are much bigger

[ratherbhunting]

It is impossible to figure out without a picture. I live in Whitehouse Station and it is loaded with coyotes where I live so it is a possibility it could be a coyote.

[Buck154]

Sounds like a Fisher with the body and tail and not move like a cat. If it was a smaller than a red fox and dark brown/blackish then probably a Fisher 

[Dominant buck]

[Nomad]

Maybe a coyote?

 

Edited January 29, 2023 by Nomad

[Rusty]

13 minutes ago, Nomad said:

That looks a lot like a dog Rusty.

So does yours. 

Technically they are all dogs.  Cross wolves, coyotes, and dogs and they have puppies, genetically they are all the same animal.  But my picture is a coyote.  

[Bucndoe]

Fisher

 

Coyote, two different colors. Was a breeding pair caught together 

Edited January 30, 2023 by Bucndoe