This animal of the marten family is so different from its relatives that zoologists are ready to recognize it as a separate detachment. River otter, photo which is very difficult to do due to its caution, lives on the shores of fresh water. She prefers mountain rivers or those whose fast flow prevents the water from freezing in winter, as well as with a rocky or pebble bottom. Therefore, in the large valley water arteries, it is rare to meet it.
It is known that for
endangered species of animals and plants there is a special list - the Red Book. River otter
unfortunately, she was also introduced there, and not because she was the victim of an uncontrolled hunt. The fact is that this small predator can only live in very clean water, and the industrial upsurge in Western Europe at the end of the 19th century was very polluting the
natural environment. The otter has completely disappeared from the vastness of Switzerland, Great Britain, Spain, Sweden and the Netherlands (now there are attempts to introduce animals in their usual habitats). And in other areas of the Old World, the number of animals was significantly reduced.
Subspecies of these creatures are found in North and Latin America, in Asia (up to the
Arabian Peninsula and South China) and
North Africa. And, of course, the river otter
does not live in the arctic tundra. After all, even in winter she needs open water. The largest of the whole species is the South American giant otter, which can reach a weight of 25 kg. By the way, these giants, unlike their brothers, who prefer to live alone, live in small communities.
River Otter - great swimmer. Everything in her physique is adapted for a long stay under water. The body is streamlined, elongated, the hind legs are longer than the front, between the fingers - the membranes. Almost imperceptible ears are equipped with a special valve that prevents water from entering the auditory conch. Since the animal does not have a thick layer of fat (and remains flexible and fast), all hope in the preservation of heat relies on fur. It is thick, with coarse outer hairs and delicate wavy undercoat. But most importantly, he absolutely does not get wet! When moving in the water, the otter is helped by a flat head and a long muscular tail. The color of the otter is dark brown from above, and its abdomen is light, slightly silver.
Eurasian River Otter - small predator. Males reach a body length of 90 cm and a weight of 10 kg, females are much smaller (55 cm and 6 kg). Their main food is a small fish, but these hunters do not disdain eggs and chicks of river birds, frogs, caddis flies, and water voles. The habitat of one individual is rather small - 250 m of the coastal strip, which it marks with excrement. But otter neighbors live peacefully, and in famine they converge to places where there is food. The animal digs one permanent hole, the entrance to which opens under the water. The den itself is dry, warm, lined with moss, grass and leaves. In winter, animals keep nearby wormwood or scouring.
Hunting otter river prefers morning and evening. In the afternoon, she basks in the sun, perched on a stone or trunk of a fallen tree. Her disposition is cheerful and mischievous. Otters often play with themselves: by screaming and chirping, they like to slide into water from inclines. In captivity, they are quickly tamed, recognize the owner and laughed like cats. In the wild, live up to 10 years. Otters are very caring mothers. The female (usually in it 3 or 4 cubs) courageously protects even from the person. Youngsters live with their parents for about a year.