Life History Although otter cubs can be born at any time of the year, we find there is a definite preference for spring and again in late autumn. Life Span: Otters can live to be up to ten years old, though few survive more than five years. The longer outer layer of guard hairs is waterproof, and stops water touching their skin at all, which means they don't lose heat that way either from the water leaching away precious body warmth, When it’s underwater the otter can close its ears and nose but can only hold its breath for about 30 seconds. Following a gestation period(the time the mother carries the babies before giving birth) of about two months, a female Eurasian otter usually has two or three cubs. The European otter is the most widely distributed otter species being widely spread across Europe. These otters are vocal, having basic calls of greeting, alarm and mating, and up to 12 further calls. The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) is a large member of the weasel family that can reach nearly a metre in length and weigh up to 12 kilograms. It also has a small nose and ears both of which can be closed while in water. The west coast of the Highlands, the Isle of Skye and the Isle of Mull are great otter strongholds, where they can be hard to miss. Adaptations to an aquatic lifestyle are its webbed feet, its ability to close its small ears and its nose when it is under water, and its very dense, short fur that traps a layer of air for the purpose of insulating the animal. Beautiful, sleek and playful, otters are a joy to watch as they twist and dive in the water. Fun Facts for Kids Each European otter within its territory of between 1 and 4 miles has fixed locations where it gets into and exits from... Otters are very playful animals and have been seen sliding down snowdrifts or mud banks on their bellies. Keep an eye out for them: Today an otter’s main threat is from what we put in the water. Removal of vegetation from stream or river banks, the draining of wetlands, the construction of dams and other man-made interventions impact greatly on otter populations. Over 100 different components have been identified within otter droppings and some of these are thought to contain information on sex, age and even individual recognition which can be used by other otters, All otters basically have two layers of fur - a longer outer layer and a softer denser layer underneath. Distribution: the Eurasian otter exists in scattered populations in the British Isles, Europe, Scandinavia, most of Russia and North Africa. They can live in cold regions as well as warm areas. Although the mating system in European otters has not been well studied, they are thought to be either polygynous (one male mates with multiple females) or polygynandrous (promiscuous) (both males and females have multiple mates), as both males and females associate with each other only during mating. Eurasian otters are indigenous to the UK and can be found in either fresh or salt water, although it’s usually known as the river otter for the obvious reason. The area that they protect can be up to 25 miles wide. The Eurasian Otter has a long neck and it features a body style that is very broad. They breed all year round, but in the UK otters tend to have their young (called pups) in the summer months so at this time of year, you stand a better chance of glimpsing a sight of them in rivers and coastal wetlands. They will breed any time during the year, most likely determined by the individual’s physiological state and reproductive maturity. The Eurasian otter … However, most of them are observed to have a territory of about 11 miles. On land, Eurasian river otters are nocturnal (active mostly by night) and spend the daytime in their dens, or holts. Otters aren’t the best at covering their tracks which is a great help to anyone on the lookout for one. The average otter is 1–1.3 metres in length, and weighs up to 9kg. Amazing Facts About the Otter The European or Eurasian otter is often referred to as the common otter. European otters live throughout Europe, North Africa and Asia, inhabiting streams, rivers, lakes, freshwater and peat swamp forests, ocean shores, rice fields, fjords, caves, and other terrestrial habitats close by waterways. Facts on File Publications, NY. The European otter, a semi-aquatic species, lives along coasts and in a wide variety of freshwater habitats. They are able to cross territorial boundaries without incident, but aggressive behavior will occur if the same gender tries to enter a territory. They are expert swimmers and spend much of their time hunting for prey in water, where they catch mainly fish and invertebrates. The breeding season takes place in January-February with the gestation period, lasting 60-128 days. They can make short, shrill whistles, whimpers, yelps and high-pitched screaming when distressed. They are fast, naturally secretive and usually nocturnal. Look for a muddy, semi-circular slide into the river. Keep an ear out for scrabbling, splashing and squeaking. They also eat crustaceans, frogs and even small water birds. The only otter species in the UK is the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), one of a number of species found worldwide. Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) Broad, flat tail, unlike the long, muscular, tapering tail of the otter. Otters are noisy creatures and you might well hear them before you see them. The position of the eyes high on the head allow it to see out of the water whilst the rest of the body is below. Established in 1964, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has evolved to become the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global conservation status of animal, fungi and plant species. Otter facts A group of river otters is known as a romp The position of its eyes are high on its head which means it can see out of the water whilst the rest of its body stays... Otters communicate using their spraint (droppings). For coastal dwelling otters, oil spill is a real danger. By continuing to use our site, you are Even though there are more of them about otters are still hard to spot. Despite becoming almost extinct from England and Wales otters have managed to thrive on Scotland’s rugged coastlines and wild moorlands and today otter numbers there are thought to exceed 8,000. It is also found in many parts of Asia, and parts of northern Africa. The European Otter (Lutra lutra) is also known as the Eurasian River Otter, Common Otter and Old World Otter. The pups are 99 to 122gm when born, their eyes open at one month and after two months they start to leave the nest. You will notice that these white markings are different on each of them. Most live on shorelines of freshwater rivers and lakes, but a few hunt along seaside coasts. Otters have five claws so it’s easy to tell an otter footprint from most other animals. Because otters eat mainly fish, you’ll generally find them in areas where there are plenty of this food source. fact lexicon with terms going straight to the point. The European otter has a wide distribution but no overall population estimate is available. Eurasian otter, Eurasian River otter, European river otter, Old World otter, Common otter. Over the last two decades the literature on the European (or Eurasian) otter appears to have increased at an exponential rate.There is a wealth of information on diet,distribution and levels of toxic chemicals in otters,their faeces and their prey. In this fact file we look at the Eurasian Otter. Thanks mainly to conservation efforts, in the early 1990s these chemicals were banned and as water quality slowly increased so did otter numbers. While these aspects of biology are relatively easy The pollution of lakes and rivers affects the fish that are their main food source. It is a European member of the Mustelidae or weasel family and is typical of freshwater otters. Heggberget, T. and K. Moseid. Though Eurasian otters mostly live alone, they do care for their cubs. It is the only wild otter species found in the UK. They have been seen sliding down muddy river banks, and leaping and c… Excellent and lithe swimmers, the young are in the water by 10 weeks of age. MacDonald, D. 1984. Some otter species spend all their time in the water while others are land and water based animals. It’s one of the things … Facts are sorted by community importance and you can build your personalized lexicon They will spend several hours nightly foraging in water. There are 13 species of otter around the world and many of them are endangered. Fun Fact. However, sometimes they form loosely knit groups numbering as many as six animals. The Eurasian river otter has a smooth body shape, dense coat, and webbing on all four paws. European Otter on The IUCN Red List site -, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurasian_otter, http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/12419/0. They typically use … The position of its eyes are high on its head which means it can see out of the water whilst the rest of its body stays submerged below - like a hippo! The elusive otter is one of our top predators, feeding mainly on fish (particularly eels and salmonids), waterbirds, amphibians and crustaceans. It has many sensitive whiskers around its snout; these help to locate prey. policy for further information about how we use your personal information. According to the scientific resources, the total population size of European otters in Belarus is around 12, 000 individuals and in Sweden - 500-1000 individuals. Wetland wildlife. Reproductive timing in Eurasian otters on the coast of Norway. It is an excellent swimmer, able to twist and turn easily to catch fish underwater. According to the IUCN Red List, the overall estimate of the population in the United Kingdom was around 10,395 individuals in 2004. While it does have the brownish color of coat, it also features white along the length of it. Ecography 17: 339-348. The Eurasian otter: 1. has the widest geographical range of all otter species 2. is the only otter that is native to the UK 3. can be found in both freshwaters and coastal habitats 4. is solitary, elusive and predominantly nocturnal 5. feeds predominantly on fish, but takes a wide diversity of other prey eg crayfish, anurans (frogs and toads), birds, invertebrates and small mammals 6. has litters of 1-3 cubs, born at any time of year. The presence of otters tells us a lot about the health of our wetlands, the healthier a wetland and our waterways are the more otters it will be supporting. It is an elusive animal which has sleek brown fur, often paler on its underside, covering its long lithe body, thick tail and little legs. They nest on land, tending to build underground tunnels to move between the two. Currently this species is classified as Near Threatened (NT) and its numbers today are decreasing. Please visit our updated privacy On boulders or rocks either in river or near the river, A group of river otters is known as a romp. It is endangered in some parts of its range, but is recovering in others. Its sense of sight, smell and hearing is acute. The Eurasian otter is chiefly brown on its upper side while its underside is cream-colored. The IUCN status has been described as precautionary. It is also known as the European otter and common otter. They also regularly crop up on the Llanelli reserve in Wales. They are a greeny black colour and are often described as smelling like flowers! Size: About 60-80cm; tail about 32-56cm Weight: Average 8.2 kg for males; 6.0 kg for females. Music © www.tomwanless.com Footage © www.jackperksphotography.com PODCAST: https://beardedtit.podbean.com/ The Minch waters between Skye and the Outer Hebrides, where many otters live, is still a major tanker route. Otters have their cubs in underground burrows, known as 'holts'. The mother takes care of the young, cleaning them and providing with food. Otters are known to be playful creatures, and the Eurasian otter is no exception. Otter droppings, or spraints, are often used to mark territory – look for them along the river bank or on rocks. More recently, This is one way to easily identify them in the wild or in captivity. Author Miriam Darlington, in her book Otter Country, described the hide at Kylerhea on Skye as an ‘Otter haven’. Quick Facts Recognition: Brown fur, often pale on underside; long slender body; small ears; long thick tail; webbed feet; swims very low in the water, head and back barely showing. Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub, 2. Eurasian Otters are a semi-aquatic mammal with predominantly light brown fur and a pale ventral area. @slimbridge_wild @WWTSlimbridge pic.twitter.com/nJh84PUOpM, A couple of shots of the otter at WWT Llanelli @WWTLlanelli @WWTworldwide @WWTconservation @strictlysophie @wildlife_uk pic.twitter.com/9YTWHJ8RPO. Otters re-colonised the British Isles after the last Ice Age, and they were widespread across the whole landmass during much of the intervening 10,000 years. This soft layer closest to their skin traps air, which gives good insulation. It is covered with short fur that usually traps air to keep it warm. Other threats are being caught in nets and fishing traps set for other species, as well as being hunted for their coat. Posted in: Dry resting sites and covered dens are found in tree roots, earth tunnels, boulder piles, banks and shrubs. Most are small, with short ears and … These otters dine on fish, birds, and various crustaceans as they are opportunistic. If you don’t see one, you can always visit Martin Mere or London Wetland Centre to see some of our resident Asian-short clawed, or Slimbridge to see our North American river otters (they’re not nocturnal, so you’re more likely to get a glimpse.). Otter causing great excitement in the entrance ditch at Slimbridge WWT this lunchtime! they can be up to 1.2m in length, with about a 3rd of that length being the tapered tail. Otters communicate using their spraint (droppings). European otters sleep for half their lives, which equates to ten years of sleeping for many otters, with phases of inactivity often at the time of the zoo's opening hours. In the British Isles, they are found mainly on the coast of Scotland and Ireland, along the Welsh borders, the South-west and East Anglia. The invasive American mink also has five toes, but the pads are much narrower and the claws more pointed. Beaver has a stockier body, compared to the long body of the otter. While hunting and habitat loss played a part, pollution of our waterways from agricultural chemicals was devastating to otter populations. Eurasian Otter (European Otter) -- Eurasian river otter, common otter and Old World otter, is a European and Asian member of the Lutrinae or otter subfamily, and is typical of freshwater otters. Otters feed at dawn and dusk so the two hours before are generally the best time for otter spotting. At any age they will trot, and gallop, and chase one another in water. Talk to any fisherman along the coast, and you’re likely to hear that they just saw one that morning – sometimes trying to pillage their catch! Those living on the coast are susceptible to oil spills. It is native to Eurasia. They have a long body with short legs, five toes which are webbed. For many years our native Eurasian or European otter (scientific name Lutra Lutra) has been on the brink of extinction in the UK and spotting one in the wild would have been almost impossible, but today you are more likely to see one than at any time in the last 60 years. The white is also there under the face and down to the belly. It has a long slim body with a thick tail and legs which are short. Otters are very playful: Don’t be surprised when you see otters happily sliding. Encyclopedia of Mammals. They are the most territorial of otter species. The European otter, also known as the Eurasian otter, or the common otter, has the widest range of all otter species. European otters have their most active time at dusk and at night. During the day they are in their dens on the land, staying cool, coming out at night to eat. The beaver’s broader rodent muzzle is less pointed than the otter’s carnivore muzzle. Ask anyone what their favourite wetland animal is and many will say it’s an otter. The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) is a type of otter. Each European otter within its territory of between 1 and 4 miles has fixed locations where it gets into and exits from the water, sunbathing, rolling and sliding about on "otter stairways". The female usually gives birth to 1-3 babies, sometimes up to 6 and more. Today, the Eurasian otter population is increasing (although it remains Near Threatened on the Red List) and every county in the UK now has a wild otter population. The indented coast lines, rich in seaweed and with freshwater nearby in rivers and pools make the perfect otter habitat. The Eurasian otter is a solitary animal with the female rearing the cubs on her own. Otters 101: A brief species factfile The European otter has been here for millions of years; it is a member of the Mustelid family, which also includes the badger, mink, weasels, stoats, martens and polecats, and is the only truly semi-aquatic member of the weasel family. Otter Holts are lined with grass, reeds, twigs and other vegetation. Below are some interesting facts about them: They are said to be the most territorial of all the species of otter in the world. Otters are very playful animals and have been seen sliding down snowdrifts or mud banks on their bellies. 1994. There are many reasons for this, including their small size, a high metabolic rate, a complete reliance on their fur for thermal isolation and long periods spent floating in the water where oil has collected. The Eurasian otter is very well adapted to the aquatic environment. Eurasian otters are an incredible species. Sometimes they will consume beavers or other mammals if they have the chance to do so. Eurasian otter numbers began declining in the 1950s until the species became almost extinct in England and Wales, although a small population survived in Scotland. The charismatic otter, a member of the weasel family, is found on every continent except Australia and Antarctica. The European or Eurasian otter is the most widely-distributed of the world’s 12 otter species, and it occurs throughout Europe and much of Northern Asia, including Russia, China and the Korean peninsula. A Eurasian otter feeding on a … It has short limbs, webbed feet and claws, and highly sensitive whiskers, enabling it to detect prey in murky waters. It is the otter species with the widest distribution, being spread widely across Europe. Otters are part of the Mustelid family of animals which also includes badgers, pine martens and weasels. Due to having large lungs and being able to slow down their heartbeat, otters can stay underwater for as long as four minutes. Background Despite being such a lovable carnivore, the Eurasian Otter is classified as “Near Threatened” by the IUCN due to a declining population over the last 40 years. They will stay with her for a little over a year, and they can mate and have babies of their own after they are two to three years old. Prey selection in coastal Eurasian otters Lutra lutra. Such behavior is seen as helping young otters improve their hunting techniques. More and more traces of drugs and medicines, and the plastic pellets found in exfoliants, are being found in rivers, and they’re also being found in otters’ bodies. Otters are thought to be especially vulnerable to the effects of oil. Weaning takes place when they are 3 months old. The Eurasian otter, also known as the European otter, Eurasian river otter, common otter, and Old World otter, is a semiaquatic mammal native to Eurasia. Although the Eurasian otter isn’t a marine animal (don’t confuse it with a sea otter, which are only found in the Pacific) because it can’t survive without fresh water, they are often found in coastal habitats as well as lakes, rivers and streams. The European Otter is one what has a distinct look to it. They are solitary animals unless in a mating pair or a mothers with her young. Gestation is for 60 to 70 days, each female bearing 2 or 3 pups. The most widely distributed member of the otter subfamily of the weasel family, it is found in the waterways and coasts of Europe, many parts of Asia, and parts of northern Africa. It is also called the European otter, Eurasian river otter, common otter, and Old World otter. This otter is extremely susceptible to human destruction of its territory although there are signs of increased otter activity closer to towns etc. In freshwater they feed on trout and salmon. Ecography 17: 331-338. agreeing to use our cookies. This has steadied and the decline is not as drastic as it was over the last 23 years. On average 2-3 cubs are born, weighing only 100g, covered in a pale grey fur and with closed eyes. We use cookies on this site to improve your user experience. European otters are carnivores, they eat mainly fish, but they also hunt amphibians and other aquatic prey, as well as birds, eggs, insects, worms, and a small amount of vegetation. The Eurasian otter has a diet mainly of fish, and is strongly territorial. They are creatures of habit and tend to follow the same routes, travelling as much on land as they do in water. Can otters use tools? Scotland is the best place in the UK to see them and particularly on the coast, where they are generally more active during the day. Otters are aquatic (water-based) relatives of badgers and weasels. It is found in the rivers and coasts of Europe. It is a European branch of the weasel or Mustelidae family. Not all otters use tools, but sea otters use them all the time. They remain with their mothers up to the age of 14 months, reaching reproductive maturity at the age of 2 or 3 years. The aquatic habitat of otters is very vulnerable in the face of change. Their territory can be as big as 25 miles wide but is usually about 11 miles. They tend to be more adaptable than other otter species, and can survive on a large assortment of foods from fish to crab to muskrats and young beavers. At WWT we have wild otters living on all our reserves. At Slimbridge there are regular otter visitors to the Kingfisher Hide and at Washington otters have made the saline lagoon their home. Eurasian beavers have monogamous mating system with only one breeding pair per colony.

eurasian otter facts

Alexandrina Magnolia Tree For Sale, Active Portfolio Management Amazon, Tuna Animal Crossing, Jess Jackson The Bear, Blue Moon Wisteria Trellis, Joey And Chandler's Apartment Number,
eurasian otter facts 2020