Species of the Week: European Otter

Species of the Week:

European Otter(Lutra lutra)

1. The otter's diet mainly consists of fish but during seasons where fish are scare(usually winter) it also eats insects, frogs, crusteceans, birds and sometimes berries.
2. The otter is a territorial animal competing in territory with only members of the same sex. So for example males will only compete with males and it is common for male and female territories to overlap. They are usually solitary animals or living in small family groups of a male and female.
3. Otters are non seasonal breeders. That means that they will breed at any time of the year so long as they are capable of breeding.
4. Their territories are vast, ranging to up to 40km^2.
5. Part of their territories should include at least a few water bodies and prime territory locations are judged by food and water body availability.
6. An otter's gestation period lasts about 60-65 days and give birth to 1-4 pups
7. European otters have a longer tail,shorter neck and greater visage than it's North American river cousin.
8. Pollution, hunting for the fur trade and habit loss and fragmentation are the main threats to the European Otter.
9. It's IUCN status is Near Threatened
10. The European Otter is also found in Asia.