Look for a muddy, semi-circular slide into the river. While hunting and habitat loss played a part, pollution of our waterways from agricultural chemicals was devastating to otter populations. It is found in the rainforests of the Congo basin including Democratic Republic of Congo, Equitorial Guinea and Gabon. 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. These include webbed feet and the ability to close their nostrils and ears when under water. There is some debate as to whether the Congo clawless otter is a separate species to the African clawless otter (A.capensis), but it is considered a separate species by the IUCN Otter Specialist Group. Prior to the 1950s, these fish-devouring mammals were abundant in England. You're now subscribed to our newsletter. On boulders or rocks either in river or near the river, A group of river otters is known as a romp. Until 1998, it was thought to have been extinct, but small populations have been discovered since then. Status: Near Threatened … Otter cubs only open their eyes about five weeks after they are born. They are creatures of habit and tend to follow the same routes, travelling as much on land as they do in water. The giant otter is found in South America in a range of countries including Peru, Venezuela and Brazil. Otters communicate using their spraint (droppings). 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. We use cookies on this site to improve your user experience. Threats to their recovery include habitat loss, severe flooding, and road traffic. Giant river otters are huge at over 1.5 metres in length. Meet the adorable members of the otter family from around the world. Otters leave spraints in prominent places, such as fallen trees, weirs and bridges, as 'scented messages', helping them to find mates and defend territories. This species occurs throughout the USA and Canada, and has been reintroduced to midwestern USA in order to expand its distribution. The marine otter is found along the western coast of the South American continent, with patchy distribution due to some unsuitable habitat and increased human occupation. There are 13 different types of otter, including river, sea, giant, African clawless and hairy nosed otter. Because otters eat mainly fish, you’ll generally find them in areas where there are plenty of this food source. Otters are thought to be especially vulnerable to the effects of oil. Otters are largely solitary, semi-aquatic mammals that get most of their food from lochs, rivers or the sea. Summary. Thanks! In the past, this species was widely employed throughout its range by fishermen, with trained animals being highly valued. 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 Non-native Species Secretariat has responsibility for helping to coordinate the approach to invasive non-native species in Great Britain. The Minch waters between Skye and the Outer Hebrides, where many otters live, is still a major tanker route. This is one of the many features they have which is suited to a life in and around water. This species is the most widely distributed of all the otters, ranging through Eurasia up to the Arctic Circle, from Ireland to Kamchatka, and south to North Africa, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. The number of otters is increasing in Norfolk. On the Shetland Islands, some otters have been known to abandon fishing in favour of rabbit hunting. Please visit our updated privacy Smooth-coated otters occur throughout much of the Indian Subcontinent in Java, Sumatra and Borneo, northward to south-western China, east through Nepal and Bhutan and India to Pakistan, excluding the Indus Valley. Lutrinae is a branch of the Mustelidae family , which also includes weasels , badgers , mink , and wolverines , among other animals. An isolated population of the species is also found in the marshes of Iraq indicating the range must once have been wider. Though still considered rare, the species is widespread in the UK and can be seen in almost every county. Known for their playfulness, otters are found all over the world including the UK. Otters consume mainly fish but many people think that they eat plants and berries. Visit mammal.org.uk. Otters: surveys and mitigation for development ... - GOV.UK 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. In the wild, the distribution range of this species includes India, Taiwan and southern China. In the UK IOSF is the only charity solely dedicated to the conservation, protection and care of otters based on years of scientific research in the UK and around the world. Type: Mammal Location: One of the widest distributions of a UK mammal species, the Eurasian Otter is found throughout Europe, eastern Russia and China, south and south east Asia and north Africa. Today, the species is flourishing across Scotland, and recovering well across the UK as waterways are cleaned up. Currently stable populations exist in parts of the Russian east coast, Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, and California, with reports of recolonisations in Mexico and Japan. Keep an eye out for them: Today an otter’s main threat is from what we put in the water. Following a period of serious decline between the 1950s and 1970s when the species was driven to near extinction in some areas, these water-dwelling mammals have made a comeback in every county in England and beyond. 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! They leave the protection of their mothers at 10 – 12 months and can breed at 2 years old. Also known as the Cape clawless otter, the African clawless otter is found through much of sub-Saharan Africa. Otters are fascinating animals as well as being adorable. The Sea Otter is the only species that have a shorter and less muscular tail. Otter numbers in the UK have increased slightly in recent years but the Eurasian otter is still classed as … 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. 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. For coastal dwelling otters, oil spill is a real danger. They occur throughout Northern Ireland in both freshwater and coastal habitats. © Ariadne Van Zandbergen/GettyUntil recently, the spotted-necked otter was considered to be part of the Lutra genus, but it is now placed in the Hydrictus genus. They also regularly crop up on the Llanelli reserve in Wales. Extremely few individuals survive in Vietnam, southern Thailand, Sumatra and Cambodia, mainly due to poaching. This soft layer closest to their skin traps air, which gives good insulation. Otters in the UK face several new dangers, despite their success in recolonising some of their old haunts. The fur of this species is smoother and shorter than that of other otters, and they use scent to communicate both within the otter species, and with other animals. In local areas its presence will depend on the provision of suitable aquatic habitats, sufficient food and cover fo… 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! Posted in: Few animals among Britain’s native wildlife are as endearing as otters. The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis), also known as the northern river otter or common otter, is a semiaquatic mammal endemic to the North American continent found in and along its waterways and coasts. It is found most often in areas with protection from the most severe ocean winds, such as rocky coastlines, thick kelp forests, and barrier reefs. We are a Devon-based charity dedicated to protecting and promoting a positive understanding of the European otter and its conservation.We want everyone to be able to engage with and appreciate these beautiful animals, and we work hard to raise awareness, educate, and share information in as many ways as possible! 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. Welcome to the UK Wild Otter Trust! The river otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur. Barton Broad - The largest Broad in the Ant Valley. In Norfolk by the 1970s most traditional otter sites were deserted and whole river systems no longer supported any otters. 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. policy for further information about how we use your personal information. The indented coast lines, rich in seaweed and with freshwater nearby in rivers and pools make the perfect otter habitat. They are definitely meat eaters. Their favourite habitats include wetlands, rivers and coastlines. Spotted-necked otter. They are fast, naturally secretive and usually nocturnal. They are friendly and playful which is why they’re one of the well-loved animals in the world. The Neotropical otter is the greatest generalist of all otter species, inhabiting a range of habitats including wastewater treatment plants, rice and sugar cane plantations, drainage ditches and swamps to cold, glacial lakes in the Andes of Ecuador. Otters have a long, slim body with a powerful tail which they use when swimming. 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. It is a man-made landscape impacted by natural processes - the open water is a result of flooded peat diggings. They also eat crustaceans, frogs and even small water birds. An adult North American river otter can weigh between 5.0 and 14 kg (11.0 and 30.9 lb). Try 3 issues of BBC Wildlife Magazine for just £5! 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. 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