River otter: appearance, habits, habitat

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:45

This animal of the weasel family is so different from its relatives that zoologists are ready to recognize it as a separate detachment. The river otter, whose photo is very difficult to take due to its caution, lives along the banks of fresh water. She prefers mountain rivers or those whose fast current does not allow the water to freeze in winter, as well as those with a rocky or pebble bottom. Therefore, it can rarely be found in large valley water arteries.

It is known that there is a special list for endangered species of animals and plants - the Red Book. The river otter, unfortunately, is also introduced there, and not because it has become a victim of uncontrolled hunting. The fact is that this small predator can only live in very clean water, and the industrial rise in Western Europe at the end of the 19th century greatly polluted the natural environment. The otter has completely disappeared from the expanses of Switzerland, Great Britain, Spain, Sweden and the Netherlands (now there are attempts to introduceanimals in their usual habitats). And in other parts of the Old World, the number of animals has declined significantly.

Subspecies of these creatures are found in North and Latin America, in Asia (up to the Arabian Peninsula and South China) and North Africa. And, of course, the river otter does not live in the Arctic tundra. After all, even in winter, she needs open water. The largest of the species is the South American giant otter, which can weigh up to 25 kg. By the way, these giants, unlike their counterparts who prefer to live alone, settle in small communities.

The river otter is an excellent swimmer. Everything in her physique is adapted for a long stay under water. The body is streamlined, elongated, the hind legs are longer than the front ones, there are membranes between the fingers. Almost imperceptible ears are equipped with a special valve that prevents water from entering the auditory shell. Since the animal does not have a thick layer of fat (and remains flexible and fast), all hope for the preservation of heat relies on fur. It is dense, with coarse guard hairs and a delicate wavy undercoat. But most importantly, it does not get wet at all! When moving in water, the otter is helped by a flat head and a long, muscular tail. The color of the otter is dark brown on top, and her belly is light, slightly silvery.

Eurasian river otter is a small predator. Males reach a body length of 90 cm and a weight of 10 kg, females are much smaller (55 cm and 6 kg). Their main food is small fish, but they do not disdainthese hunters with eggs and chicks of river birds, frogs, caddis flies, water voles. The habitat of one individual is rather small - 250 m of the coastal strip, which it marks with excrement. But the otter neighbors live peacefully, and in times of famine converge to places where there is food. The animal digs one permanent hole, the entrance to which opens under water. The lair itself is dry, warm, lined with moss, grass and leaves. In winter, animals stay close to the polynya or scour.

The river otter prefers to hunt in the morning and in the evening. During the day, she basks in the sun, perched on a stone or a trunk of a fallen tree. Her disposition is cheerful and mischievous. Otters often play with themselves: uttering squeals and chirping, they love to roll into the water from inclined surfaces. In captivity, they are quickly tamed, recognize the owner and fawn like cats. In the wild, they live up to 10 years. Otters are very caring mothers. The female bravely defends her brood (usually there are 3 or 4 cubs) even from humans. The young live with the parent for about a year.