European Otter by BigCatKeeper

European Otter

Author: BigCatKeeper

http://www.zoo-tek.com/forums/index.php?download=161

With the exception of the fox and wildcat all British carnivores belong to the family known as mustelids (the weasel family) of which there are 8 member species in the UK. All tend to be characterised by long sinuous bodies and short legs (the powerful build of the badger is an exception to this, but this animal is highly distinctive because of its facial strips and size).

The Otter is a secretive semi-aquatic member of the mustelid family, once widespread in Britain where it was found living on rivers and inland waterways and in certain coastal areas.

In the late 1950's and early 1960's pollution, hunting and loss of habitat caused a serious decline in the otter population, not only here in Britain but throughout Europe.

Today, with strict protection from the Wildlife and Countryside Act anti-pollution laws resulting in cleaner rivers, and river banks environmentally managed to provide secluded undisturbed habitats, the otter population is once again on the increase with many sightings in their former habitats.

Otters in the wild are extremely shy and rarely seen. During the day they tend to lie up in suitable cover on the river bank only becoming active at dawn and dusk when riverbanks and waterways are at their quietest, allowing them to hunt for food undisturbed.

Fish make up the greater part of an otter's diet with eels being a particular favourite, but they will also take water fowl, moorhens, coots and ducks and anything else that is edible living along the riverbank.

European Otter created by Bigcatkeeper

Thanks to Professorpaul

Updated 2010-11-03

Just to save space with less in zip and smaller image.

Nothing new