Otter

Otter (Lutra lutra)

Otters are well known for being playful characters. Happy on land or in water they are returning to our landscape. If you’ve ever seen an otter you can’t fail to be captivated by them. Watching them in water never ceases to amaze with their twists, turns and flowing movement.

They are part of the mustelid family meaning they are related to weasels, badgers, pine martens and stoats. They have the characteristic long slender body with brown fur which lightens underneath. They have small ears, bright eyes and strong legs and tail. Webbed feet help them to effortlessly glide through the water.

Habitats include canals, rivers, lakes, coastlines or really anywhere where freshwater is available. They are found in less polluted waters, a main reason why England’s otter numbers fell so dramatically. But these days numbers are increasing. They can be found throughout the UK. It is said that the Scottish coastline has such a high number of individuals that there is on average one otter per mile of coastline.

Food is very important for otters who have a wide ranging diet. They often eat fish such as trout or carp, amphibians, crustaceans or even waterbirds like moorhen. But it has been found more recently that the otters’ feeding is beneficial in the control of invasive species. The American Signal Crayfish is becoming an increased menace within our water network. They are prolific breeders and will quickly colonise a freshwater area and decimate local populations of native species. It has been repeatedly found that introducing otters has decreased the Signal Crayfish population. Otters can eat up to 25% of their body weight in a day-that’s a lot of fish!

Otters are able to breed at any time of the year but normally in Spring. They produce 2 or 3 cubs which stay with the parents for about a year. During this time they will have to undergo swimming lessons. They will normally leave the parents about about 15 months old and by 2 years old they are able to produce young of their own.

While otters are now more common throughout the country, they’re still vulnerable to habitat pollution or destruction. It is illegal to hunt otters and this offers some protection but polluted water still threatens population numbers.

Fun Fact; Young otters will communicate with their parents by a series of whistles, other vocalisation and scent.