Prior to the 1950s, these fish-devouring mammals were abundant in England. Eurasian otter numbers began declining in the 1950s until the species became almost extinct in England and Wales, although a small population survived in Scotland. A raft typically contains 10 to 100 animals, but the largest raft ever seen contained over 2000 sea 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. Mating occurs at any time of the year and females give birth to 2 – 3 cubs, usually between May and August. Their favourite habitats include wetlands, rivers and coastlines. © 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. The west coast of the Highlands, the Isle of Skye and the Isle of Mull are great otter strongholds, where they can be hard to miss. By entering your details, you are agreeing to Discover Wildlife terms and conditions and privacy policy. They are creatures of habit and tend to follow the same routes, travelling as much on land as they do in water. At WWT we have wild otters living on all our reserves. 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. 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. The return of the otter to waterways across the country is one of the UK’s top conservation success stories. Otters aren’t the best at covering their tracks which is a great help to anyone on the lookout for one. 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! The males are the ones that seek out the females when they are ready to mate. In the wild, the distribution range of this species includes India, Taiwan and southern China. However, between the 1950s and 1970s, their numbers significantly dropped, prompting conservationists to sound the alarm bells for one of UK’s beloved animals. In local areas its presence will depend on the provision of suitable aquatic habitats, sufficient food and cover fo… For coastal dwelling otters, oil spill is a real danger. This species has the widest distribution of all the Lontra species, from northern and central Argentina up through south and central America to northwest Mexico. American mink Mustela vison were introduced to the UK at the beginning of the 20th century, and are now considered an invasive species. On the Shetland Islands, some otters have been known to abandon fishing in favour of rabbit hunting. These include webbed feet and the ability to close their nostrils and ears when under water. If you don’t see one, you can always visit Martin Mere or London Wetland Centre to see some of our resident Asian-short clawed, or Slimbridge to see our North American river otters (they’re not nocturnal, so you’re more likely to get a glimpse.). There are 13 different types of otter, including river, sea, giant, African clawless and hairy nosed otter. Origin & Distribution: The otter is a secretive semi-aquatic species which was once widespread in Britain. They leave the protection of their mothers at 10 – 12 months and can breed at 2 years old. 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. This is one of the many features they have which is suited to a life in and around water. Along riverbanks and waterways, look for five-toed footprints (about 6-7cm long) and droppings or 'spraints'. The season for mating depends on the region where they live. Otter causing great excitement in the entrance ditch at Slimbridge WWT this lunchtime! Even though there are more of them about otters are still hard to spot. This soft layer closest to their skin traps air, which gives good insulation. Barton Broad - The largest Broad in the Ant Valley. 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. 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. Already have an account with us? The Scottish population is estimated to be around 8000 otters. Other sea lochs along Scotland's west coast are similarly rich in otters, which can be seen foraging for food on the water's edge. Today, the species is flourishing across Scotland, and recovering well across the UK as waterways are cleaned up. Summary. Also known as the Cape clawless otter, the African clawless otter is found through much of sub-Saharan Africa. As the largest otter, it can reach up to 2m in length. Status: Near Threatened … Otter cubs only open their eyes about five weeks after they are born. Otters in the UK face several new dangers, despite their success in recolonising some of their old haunts. Otters have five claws so it’s easy to tell an otter footprint from most other animals. 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. Welcome to the UK Wild Otter Trust! The Minch waters between Skye and the Outer Hebrides, where many otters live, is still a major tanker route. In the past, this species was widely employed throughout its range by fishermen, with trained animals being highly valued. 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! Otter numbers in the UK have increased slightly in recent years but the Eurasian otter is still classed as … 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. Due to trapping, water pollution and habitat degradation, the numbers of North American river otter had declined through most of their range by the early 1900s. The otter is the only otter native to the UK. – but our river systems still require extensive habitat management to restore them to a healthy level that can sustain fish stocks and wildlife. More and more traces of drugs and medicines, and the plastic pellets found in exfoliants, are being found in rivers, and they’re also being found in otters’ bodies. They occur throughout Northern Ireland in both freshwater and coastal habitats. If there Otters habitat is thriving with enough room for them and plenty of food then they may mate more than once in a give season. It is a gregarious species, living in groups of up to 20 individuals, and will attack potential predators such as caimans. 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. Look for a muddy, semi-circular slide into the river. They are definitely meat eaters. Otters are shy and elusive creatures, so if you really want to see them when you visit Shetland (when we’re open for business again!) Otters are known to compete against foreign species such as mink that have been devastating populations of small native mammals such as the water vole, which has declined to … The invasive American mink also has five toes, but the pads are much narrower and the claws more pointed. Otters are noisy creatures and you might well hear them before you see them. 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. It is common in Lake Victoria and Zambia, but not in some lakes and rivers, such as in the Zambezi below the Victoria Falls. They also eat crustaceans, frogs and even small water birds. The giant otter is found in South America in a range of countries including Peru, Venezuela and Brazil. The Sea Otter is the only species that have a shorter and less muscular tail. At Slimbridge there are regular otter visitors to the Kingfisher Hide and at Washington otters have made the saline lagoon their home. The South American river otter can be found in marine, freshwater, and terrestrial habitats throughout Chile and Argentina. Small-clawed otters and to a lesser extent the three other otter species found in Southeast Asia—the Eurasian otter, the smooth-coated otter, and the hairy-nosed otter—have become new stars of the regional pet trade. Meet the adorable members of the otter family from around the world. The number of otters is increasing in Norfolk. Though still considered rare, the species is widespread in the UK and can be seen in almost every county. Because otters eat mainly fish, you’ll generally find them in areas where there are plenty of this food source. Otters have a long, slim body with a powerful tail which they use when swimming. Their varied and adaptable diets mean they may inhabit any unpolluted body of fresh water, including lakes, streams, rivers, and ponds, as long as there are adequate food supplies. In the UK, otters almost became extinct in the fifties and sixties because of rivers contaminated with chemical residues. For many years our native Eurasian or European otter (scientific name Lutra Lutra) has been on the brink of extinction in the UK and spotting one in the wild would have been almost impossible, but today you are more likely to see one than at any time in the last 60 years. Otter droppings, or spraints, are often used to mark territory – look for them along the river bank or on rocks. This species occurs throughout the USA and Canada, and has been reintroduced to midwestern USA in order to expand its distribution. Thanks! However, following a series of escapes and releases, by 1956 it was apparent that there was a self-sustaining feral population. This species can grow quite large, almost as big as the giant otter, and weigh up to 18kg. They have two types of fur, … Species. Otters are carnivorous mustelids in the Lutrinae subfamily. It is one of the rarest otter species. You can discover some of our favourite otter facts here: Editorial and digital co-ordinator at BBC Wildlife Magazine, and countryfile.com. agreeing to use our cookies. Spotted-necked otter. Otters: surveys and mitigation for development ... - GOV.UK There are 13 extant species of otter around the world, one of which is native to the 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. The river otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur. 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! The oldest recorded otter reached around 12 years of age, but this is exceptional. They predate heavily on native animals and are strongly implicated in dramatic declines in water vole Arvicola terrestris populations, a species now considered endangered over much of the country. The South Korean population is endangered. Keep an eye out for them: Today an otter’s main threat is from what we put in the 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. Today though, otters have returned to most of their former haunts in Norfolk. By continuing to use our site, you are Extremely few individuals survive in Vietnam, southern Thailand, Sumatra and Cambodia, mainly due to poaching. Otters are carnivorous mammals with thick fur and webbed feet. Otters are carnivorous mustelids in the Lutrinae subfamily. Male Otters are called boars, females are sows, and the offspring are pups. 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. Otters seek clean rivers, filled with food and overgrown banks where they can raise their cubs. In Norfolk by the 1970s most traditional otter sites were deserted and whole river systems no longer supported any otters. Otters feed at dawn and dusk so the two hours before are generally the best time for otter spotting. But don't mistakenly call these beasts 'sea otters' – they are still our native otter, and not the different North American sea otter. @slimbridge_wild @WWTSlimbridge pic.twitter.com/nJh84PUOpM, A couple of shots of the otter at WWT Llanelli @WWTLlanelli @WWTworldwide @WWTconservation @strictlysophie @wildlife_uk pic.twitter.com/9YTWHJ8RPO. You can unsubscribe at any time. Author Miriam Darlington, in her book Otter Country, described the hide at Kylerhea on Skye as an ‘Otter haven’. They also regularly crop up on the Llanelli reserve in Wales. The Non-native Species Secretariat has responsibility for helping to coordinate the approach to invasive non-native species in Great Britain. As of 2011, they can be found in every English county, including some urban rivers. It is a man-made landscape impacted by natural processes - the open water is a result of flooded peat diggings. They breed all year round, but in the UK otters tend to have their young (called pups) in the summer months so at this time of year, you stand a better chance of glimpsing a sight of them in rivers and coastal wetlands. There are 13 extant species of otter around the world, one of which is native to the UK. In Italy, they can be found in southern parts of the peninsula. Because otters eat mainly fish, you’ll generally find them in areas where there are plenty of this food source. They are responsible to a Programme Board which represents the relevant governments and agencies of England, Scotland and Wales. Otters are largely solitary, semi-aquatic mammals that get most of their food from lochs, rivers or the sea. Otters consume mainly fish but many people think that they eat plants and berries. Wetland wildlife. Keep an ear out for scrabbling, splashing and squeaking. Where do otters live? Their eyes are high on their head so they can still see even when most of their body is submerged underwater. Ask anyone what their favourite wetland animal is and many will say it’s an otter. 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. Though they typically forage alone, sea otters tend to rest together and link arms in single-sex groups called rafts. Otters are ready to reproduce when they are from 2 to 3 years of age. Otters are carnivorous mammals in the subfamily Lutrinae. It is found in the rainforests of the Congo basin including Democratic Republic of Congo, Equitorial Guinea and Gabon. This animal can easily be observed during the day as it rests on tree branches or rocks. Otters communicate using their spraint (droppings). Otters declined catastrophically throughout England in the late 1950s. Please visit our updated privacy 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. 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. About the National Non-Native Species Secretariat. We use cookies on this site to improve your user experience. Otters leave spraints in prominent places, such as fallen trees, weirs and bridges, as 'scented messages', helping them to find mates and defend territories. The 13 extant otter species are all semiaquatic , aquatic or marine , with diets based on fish and invertebrates . In India, the species is distributed in the Himalayan foothills, southern Western Ghats and the central Indian landscape. Known for their playfulness, otters are found all over the world including the UK. Perhaps the most foolproof location for otters is the Isle of Mull. Unlike Otters, Mink are a non-native species (see Nature Notes, 6th September 2019), imported to the UK from the late 1920s, and farmed for their fur. 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 Ireland). An isolated population of the species is also found in the marshes of Iraq indicating the range must once have been wider. 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. Male otters are known as “dogs”, females are “bitches” and the offspring are “pups”. Lutrinae is a branch of the Mustelidae family , which also includes weasels , badgers , mink , and wolverines , among other animals. 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. Reports now state that otters inhabit every county in the UK – great news for the otter! policy for further information about how we use your personal information. They also eat crustaceans, frogs and even small water birds. 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.

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