Opinions on what this animal might be

[Nerys Ghemor]

If it's not an otter, my guess would've been boar, looking at the tusk.

 

[Marten]

If it's not an otter, my guess would've been boar, looking at the tusk.

A boar seems more likely, yes.

 

[Canadave]

^ I don't think there are any species of boar native to North America.

An otter does seem likely, though it's still strange how the fur is completely gone around the face and paw.

 

[M'Sharak]

'm pretty sure that's a bulldog.

Partially-saponified wolverine?

Same question to both of you - is there any reason why the facial fur would fall out and not the other fur we see?

I don't know for sure, but different skin characteristics in the facial area from that found on other parts of animal's body or, perhaps due to the presence of organisms normally found on the face/around the mouth of the animal or to small aquatic creatures drawn to them? (Note that the animal's whiskers are also missing.)

There are four photos of it at this site

I think its body is more like a wolverine than a bulldog, though its nose doesn't look like a wolverine's nose.

Could it be an otter?

It does look a lot like an otter, now that I can see more of it. I note the fur also missing from the forepaw seen in one photo - forepaw which looks very similar in shape to that seen in a photo of a live river otter and not much like a wolverine's paw.

 

[gturner]

I didn't think otters had distinctive ears.

 

[melancholymecha]

yep, it looks mustelid-ish. The baldness of the face is very weird.

 

[Cornholio]

^umm, animals can suffer hair loss from fungal infections and stuff.

though the lack of umm, whiskers on this one seems to indicate shaving or something.

 

[Miss Chicken]

I didn't think otters had distinctive ears.

Maybe its ears look strange because of the absence of fur around them.