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. 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. Otter droppings, or spraints, are often used to mark territory – look for them along the river bank or on rocks. 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. By entering your details, you are agreeing to Discover Wildlife terms and conditions and privacy policy. 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! But don't mistakenly call these beasts 'sea otters' – they are still our native otter, and not the different North American sea otter. Cubs are usually born in a holt in a bank, or between rocks or tree roots. Summary. Wetland wildlife. 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. The indented coast lines, rich in seaweed and with freshwater nearby in rivers and pools make the perfect otter habitat. 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. Otters in the UK face several new dangers, despite their success in recolonising some of their old haunts. They have two types of fur, … As the largest otter, it can reach up to 2m in length. They are fast, naturally secretive and usually nocturnal. Otters: surveys and mitigation for development ... - GOV.UK Spotted-necked otter. 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. Visit mammal.org.uk. It is one of the rarest otter species. As of 2011, they can be found in every English county, including some urban rivers. The number of otters is increasing in Norfolk. In freshwater they feed on trout and salmon. The Minch waters between Skye and the Outer Hebrides, where many otters live, is still a major tanker route. Otters are thought to be especially vulnerable to the effects of oil. Male Otters are called boars, females are sows, and the offspring are pups. Otters are noisy creatures and you might well hear them before you see them. Keep an ear out for scrabbling, splashing and squeaking. At WWT we have wild otters living on all our reserves. Though they typically forage alone, sea otters tend to rest together and link arms in single-sex groups called rafts. In Ireland the otter population is geographically widely spread. The South Korean population is endangered. Otters have a long, slim body with a powerful tail which they use when swimming. Male otters are known as “dogs”, females are “bitches” and the offspring are “pups”. By continuing to use our site, you are © 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 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. 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. Discover more fascinating facts about giant otters in our fact file by the International Otter Survival Fund. 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 invasive American mink also has five toes, but the pads are much narrower and the claws more pointed. – but our river systems still require extensive habitat management to restore them to a healthy level that can sustain fish stocks and wildlife. The Non-native Species Secretariat has responsibility for helping to coordinate the approach to invasive non-native species in Great Britain. Though still considered rare, the species is widespread in the UK and can be seen in almost every county. Along riverbanks and waterways, look for five-toed footprints (about 6-7cm long) and droppings or 'spraints'. Today, the species is flourishing across Scotland, and recovering well across the UK as waterways are cleaned up. Extremely few individuals survive in Vietnam, southern Thailand, Sumatra and Cambodia, mainly due to poaching. It is a man-made landscape impacted by natural processes - the open water is a result of flooded peat diggings. The Scottish population is estimated to be around 8000 otters. You can unsubscribe at any time. Because otters eat mainly fish, you’ll generally find them in areas where there are plenty of this food source. Newborns are only about 12cm long but grow quickly and can swim at three months. It is a gregarious species, living in groups of up to 20 individuals, and will attack potential predators such as caimans. These include webbed feet and the ability to close their nostrils and ears when under water. 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). Otters are largely solitary, semi-aquatic mammals that get most of their food from lochs, rivers or the sea. In Italy, they can be found in southern parts of the peninsula. Thanks mainly to conservation efforts, in the early 1990s these chemicals were banned and as water quality slowly increased so did otter numbers. It is common in Lake Victoria and Zambia, but not in some lakes and rivers, such as in the Zambezi below the Victoria Falls. Author Miriam Darlington, in her book Otter Country, described the hide at Kylerhea on Skye as an ‘Otter haven’. There are 13 extant species of otter around the world, one of which is native to the UK. 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. In the wild, the distribution range of this species includes India, Taiwan and southern China. Beautiful, sleek and playful, otters are a joy to watch as they twist and dive in the water. For coastal dwelling otters, oil spill is a real danger. Seeing the signs of otters is far easier than seeing the animals themselves. In the past, this species was widely employed throughout its range by fishermen, with trained animals being highly valued. They are responsible to a Programme Board which represents the relevant governments and agencies of England, Scotland and Wales. On boulders or rocks either in river or near the river, A group of river otters is known as a romp. Otters are regularly recorded here, and there is also the chance to see large numbers of wildfowl in winter. At Slimbridge there are regular otter visitors to the Kingfisher Hide and at Washington otters have made the saline lagoon their home. Perhaps the most foolproof location for otters is the Isle of Mull. 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. Their eyes are high on their head so they can still see even when most of their body is submerged underwater. They also eat crustaceans, frogs and even small water birds. 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. In local areas its presence will depend on the provision of suitable aquatic habitats, sufficient food and cover fo… 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. Even though there are more of them about otters are still hard to spot. A raft typically contains 10 to 100 animals, but the largest raft ever seen contained over 2000 sea otters. Today though, otters have returned to most of their former haunts in Norfolk. Already have an account with us? Ireland 's otters are geographically widespread and believed to be the most stable population in Europe. Because otters eat mainly fish, you’ll generally find them in areas where there are plenty of this food source. @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. The males are the ones that seek out the females when they are ready to mate. 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. Status: Near Threatened … Otter cubs only open their eyes about five weeks after they are born. you can book a tour with Richard Shucksmith, co-author of ‘Otters in Shetland: the Tale of the Draatsi’ Are otters a native species to Shetland? 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. 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! Otters are ready to reproduce when they are from 2 to 3 years of age. You're now subscribed to our newsletter. Look for a muddy, semi-circular slide into the river. In India, the species is distributed in the Himalayan foothills, southern Western Ghats and the central Indian landscape. 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. 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. 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. On the Shetland Islands, some otters have been known to abandon fishing in favour of rabbit hunting. They occur throughout Northern Ireland in both freshwater and coastal habitats. The South American river otter can be found in marine, freshwater, and terrestrial habitats throughout Chile and Argentina. There are 13 extant species of otter around the world, one of which is native to the UK. Their favourite habitats include wetlands, rivers and coastlines. The giant otter is found in South America in a range of countries including Peru, Venezuela and Brazil. We use cookies on this site to improve your user experience. Otters feed at dawn and dusk so the two hours before are generally the best time for otter spotting. Otter numbers in the UK have increased slightly in recent years but the Eurasian otter is still classed as … Known for their playfulness, otters are found all over the world including the UK. 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. American mink Mustela vison were introduced to the UK at the beginning of the 20th century, and are now considered an invasive species. Otters are fascinating animals as well as being adorable. Posted in: The little owl is a native animal of the United Kingdom, and it was introduced in this region in the 19th century. 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. Barton Broad - The largest Broad in the Ant Valley. Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2020 – The People’s Choice Award, Namibian fishing laws cut seabird deaths by more than 90%, Hippo guide: species facts and the best places to see in the wild. Keep an eye out for them: Today an otter’s main threat is from what we put in the water. They leave the protection of their mothers at 10 – 12 months and can breed at 2 years old. agreeing to use our cookies. Lutrinae is a branch of the Mustelidae family , which also includes weasels , badgers , mink , and wolverines , among other animals. This species is known to mostly feed on beetles, worms, birds and other small mammals. 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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