(Pictures taken 9th January 2008)
Although otters can often be seen feeding and playing in the sea around the British Isles these are not sea otters but are river otters which have become adapted to a much more marine life. These river otters, which live mostly in the sea are found mainly around the Hebrides and the north west coast of Scotland and are often mistaken for true sea otters (Enhydra lutris). However there are no sea otters in European waters. The otters found in the Hebrides still need to return to fresh water every day to wash the salt out of their fur. Their ears are projecting and cupped unlike the sea otters’ and they have sleeker fur. Their feet have obvious footpads and their back paws are only slightly webbed. The tail is long and pointed and they are very agile both in and out of the water.
Otters are extremely playful and can be seen feeding and playing in the kelp along the shore or in streams running out to sea especially in the morning and evening. They pair up and remain together in territories occupying about 3 kilometres of shoreline. Their young are born in holts near the shore or along river banks. Most litters comprise 2 or 3 cubs and although they are weaned after about 14 weeks they stay with their mother for 13 to 15 months.
Otters have a double coat of hair which they shed throughout the year rather than moulting in a short moulting period. They have very acute senses of sight, smell and hearing and usually detect the presence of any humans long before you get to see them. In order to observe otters it is important to remain at a distance and be quiet and still.
Otters have a distinctive sweet smell and often mark their territory with scent and black spraints (droppings). Unlike other marine mammals the otters do not carry a thick layer of blubber and in order to maintain their body temperature they need to keep active and use up a lot of energy. This means they have to eat a large amount of food. Most river otters live on small fish but the otters around the Hebrides have become more like the sea otters in their diet. They are carnivorous and their main prey are crabs, shell fish such as clams and mussels and just about any type of small coastal animal.
To find out more about otters go to www.otter.org
Widespread throughout Europe but very evident in the waters and Lochs of Scotland the otter burrows its home (holt) out of the bank of river or waterside where it lives. The entrance is underwater and undetectable from above. Two to five cubs are born in May and grow slowly staying in the family group for a year. In this time their coat becomes waterproof and they are taught to hunt and chase fish into shallow waters where it becomes easy prey. Expert divers, they hunt at any time of day or night living on a variety of fish, frogs, insects, crayfish and eels.