A combination of pollution in the ⦠Otters donât just have whiskers around the muzzle and nose, they have a few stiff whiskers on their elbows too â this helps them to detect vibrations in the water to track down moving prey. The Eurasian river otter has a smooth body shape, dense coat, and webbing on all four paws. The eyes are placed high on the head so that it can see when the rest of the body is below water. It is a European member of the Mustelidae or weasel family and is typical of freshwater otters. On land, Eurasian river otters are nocturnal (active mostly by night) and spend the daytime in their dens, or holts. In other regions the otter shares aquatic habitats with species specialised to different habitats such as sea otters, but in Ireland the otters that live at the coast and those that occupy our rivers are the same species. 7 FUN FACTS ABOUT OTTERS! The most widely distributed member of the otter subfamily (Lutrinae) of the weasel family (Mustelidae), it is found in the waterways and coasts of Europe, many parts of Asia, and parts of northern Africa. You will notice that these white markings are different on each of them. These otters ⦠They are often mistaken for beavers though. The white is also there under the face and down to the belly. The otter is ⦠FACT: Although the otter is an exceptionally good swimmer and fish catcher, it cannot hold its breath for long and the average dive is about 30 seconds. Otters are adorable creatures that live both on land and in the water. Previous studies in this and other mustelids have shown reduced levels of variability in mitochondrial DNA, although otter phylogeographic studies were restricted to central-western ⦠Distribution. The European otter is the most widely distributed otter species being widely spread across Europe. Sivasothi, N. and B. The European Otter is one what has a distinct look to it. Facts on File Publications, NY. Otters breed throughout the year. They can live in cold regions as well as warm areas. Breeding. Origin & Distribution: The otter is a secretive semi-aquatic species which was once widespread in Britain. It has short limbs, webbed feet and claws, and highly sensitive whiskers, enabling it to detect prey in murky waters. Breeding. The European Otter ⦠Sometimes they will consume beavers or other mammals if they have the chance to do so. Lutra lutra - Eurasian Otter. Overview; Breeding; Otter Habits; Otters and Humans; Credits; Print. After some years of decline, otter numbers on many British rivers have risen sharply since the mid 1980s. Otter (Eurasian) Breeding. Otters are often elusive, with large ranges and nocturnal behaviour making spotting them a rare and wonderful experience. Learning Colors! The IUCN status has been described as precautionary. Otters are mainly nocturnal and hunt in open, marshy places, rivers, lakes, seashores and estuaries. The Eurasian Otter (Lutra Lutra) is one of the UKâs most famous mammals but is also one of the most scarce having been effectively wiped out from much of itâs traditional range between the 1950 to 1990. It boosted my theory that British naturalists had either misidentified smooth-coated otters as Eurasian otters, or mis-labelled the location from where some Eurasian otters were collected. There are 13 species of otter ⦠1994. Fun Fact. Their diet consists of roughly 80% ⦠Despite being such a lovable carnivore, the Eurasian Otter is classified as âNear Threatenedâ by the IUCN due to a declining population over the last 40 years. The average otter is 1â1.3 metres in length, and weighs up to 9kg. Its sense of sight, smell and hearing is acute. If otters fascinate you, below are some interesting otter facts. The sea otter is only found in salt water, ⦠Cuteness! The species of otter that occurs in Ireland is called the Eurasian otter and is found in Europe and across Asia to China and Japan. There are 13 species of otters: The 13 species of otters are â African Clawless Otter, Asian Small-Clawed Otter, Congo Clawless Otter, Eurasian Otter, Giant Otter, Hairy-Nosed Otter, Marine Otter, Neotropical Otter, North American River Otter, South American River Otter ⦠Read on and enjoy our interesting information about otters. The dog and bitch live separate lives, meeting only for mating. Otters have the densest fur of any animalâas many as a million hairs per square inch in places. Encyclopedia of Mammals. Otters breed throughout the year. Ecography 17: 331-338. ⦠The European Otter (Lutra lutra) is also known as the Eurasian River Otter, Common Otter and Old World Otter. How to identify The otter is a large, powerful mammal, with grey-brown fur, a broad snout, and a pale chest and throat. With the widest distribution of the otter subfamily, the common otter ⦠The Eurasian otter is an aquatic mammal belonging to the Mutelidae family together with weasels and badgers. The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), also known as the European otter, Eurasian river otter, common otter, and Old World otter, is a semiaquatic mammal native to Eurasia.The most widely distributed member of the otter subfamily (Lutrinae) of the weasel family (Mustelidae), it is found in the waterways and coasts of Europe, ⦠The Eurasian otter, Lutra lutra, has a Palaearctic distribution and has suffered a severe decline throughout Europe during the last century. Image: Otter (Eurasian) by Helen Haden. The Eurasian otter ⦠Prey selection in coastal Eurasian otters Lutra lutra. Established in 1964, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has evolved to become the worldâs most comprehensive information source on the global conservation status of animal, fungi and plant species. But habitat loss and hunting have brought many populations of other otter species crashing down around the world, especially in more tropical locations. Habitat. They can be found throughout all of Europe, many areas of Asia, and some territories in northern Africa too. These otters dine on fish, birds, and various crustaceans as they are opportunistic. But you can bank on the fact that there is an otter ⦠The Eurasian otter is chiefly brown on its ⦠Eurasian otters have staged a remarkable comeback in the UK, where theyâre now once again present in every single county. Fun Otter Facts for Kids. By the 1970s, otters were restricted mainly to Scotland, especially the islands and the north-west coast, western Wales, parts of East Anglia and the West Country (though they remained common and widespread also in ⦠It is able to generate heat internally thus is "endothermic." 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. 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. Ecography 17: 339-348. Heggberget, T. and K. Moseid. The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), also known as the European otter, Eurasian river otter, common otter, and Old World otter, is a semiaquatic mammal native to Eurasia.The most widely distributed member of the otter subfamily (Lutrinae) of the weasel family (Mustelidae), it is found in the waterways and coasts of Europe, ⦠Phylum: Chordata - Class: Mammalia - Order: Carnivora - Family: Mustelidae. However, those that live on the coast can often be seen during the day. Otters ⦠Fortunately this massive decline was noticed in time so that steps could be taken to reverse it. Plus, the skins attributed to Eurasian otters ⦠We care for around 15 â 20 wild rescue otters every year until their release at approximately 12-15 months old. they can be up to 1.2m in length, with about a 3rd of that length being the tapered tail. It is also called the elusive common otter and measures an average of 14 lbs in weight and about 16 inches in length. Introduction to Otters. In Wales, some of this improvement must be down to the work of the Otters in Wales project, which has given added protection to otters ⦠The European otter (Lutra lutra), also called the Eurasian otter, inhabits Europe, most of Asia and parts of North Africa.In the British Isles, they were common as recently as the 1950s, but became rare in many areas due to the use of chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides, habitat loss and water pollution (they remained relatively ⦠But there's another top predator back in town: the Eurasian otter. Their ears (small and round), eyes and nose are positioned along the top ⦠Usually there are two or more females living in a male's territory and when they are receptive, he will mate with all of them. Eurasian Otters are a semi-aquatic mammal with predominantly light brown fur and a pale ventral area. The otter is a carnivorous mammal in a branch of the weasel family called Lutrinae. MacDonald, D. 1984. Discover facts about these mammals and their presence in urban areas including Sheffield, Birmingham and London. Further information: International Otter Survival Fund. Facts about Sea Otter, Giant Otter, European Otter, African Otter and River Otter. OTTER FACTS FOR KIDS! The fact that there were no records for nearly 70 years led me to doubt the veracity of historical records. The Eurasian Otter has an acute sense of sight, smell and hearing. North American sea otters are something of a recent ⦠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. It is an excellent swimmer, able to twist and turn easily to catch fish underwater. In Ireland the otter ⦠This is one way to easily identify them in the wild or in captivity. Otters are aquatic (water-based) relatives of badgers and weasels. Otters are well suited to a life on the water as they have webbed feet, dense fur to keep them warm, and can close their ears and nose when underwater. The Eurasian Otter has a long neck and it features a body style that is very broad. Usually there are two or ⦠Keeper Notes. They live mainly on land that is very close to bodies of water. Reproductive timing in Eurasian otters on the coast of Norway. A review of otters ⦠Learn where the otter lives, what they eat, what a group of otters is called, the names of various otter species and much more. 1994. Lutra lutra (European otter, Eurasian otter) Lutra nippon (Japanese otter) â possibly extinct, according to IUCN, and may not have been a separate species Lutra sumatrana (hairy-nosed otter) Funny! The European otter, also known as the Eurasian otter, or the common otter, has the widest range of all otter species. The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), also known as the European otter, Eurasian river otter, common otter, and Old World otter, is a semiaquatic mammal native to Eurasia. Otters also have particularly stinky poop, which even has ⦠Facts are sorted by community importance and you can build your personalized ⦠They have a long body with short legs, five toes which are webbed. Eurasian otter - Lutra lutra (Linnaeus, 1758) Images from the web. Check out our range of fun otter facts for kids. Quick facts. FACT: Otters ⦠The dog and bitch live separate lives, meeting only for mating. While it does have the brownish color of coat, it also features white along the length of it. They are expert swimmers and spend much of their time hunting for prey in water, where they catch mainly fish and invertebrates. These otters ⦠Its range also encompasses Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia in North Africa, Middle Eastern countries from Turkey to Iran ⦠They hunt for food both in the water such as fish ⦠The Eurasian otter is very well adapted to the aquatic environment. fact lexicon with terms going straight to the point. This has steadied and the decline is not as drastic as it was over the last 23 years. Cute! 1. The position of the eyes high on the head allow it to see out of the water whilst the rest of the ⦠Nor. They require clean rivers, with an abundant source of food and plenty of vegetation to hide their secluded holts. Most live on shorelines of freshwater rivers and lakes, but a few hunt along seaside coasts. The European or Eurasian otter is the most widely-distributed of the worldâs 12 otter species, and it occurs throughout Europe and much of Northern Asia, including Russia, China and the Korean peninsula. 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