Otter - description, habitat, lifestyle

Otters are familiar to many in view of the fact that the images of semi-aquatic mammals are fairly common on the Internet. Funny, crafty and fluffy - this is not all the characteristics of the representatives of the family. They are considered medium-sized, have a peace-loving temperament, but at the same time do not try to tame their temper, if danger has appeared on the horizon. In this material, we consider representatives of the Mustelidae family. We will discuss nutrition, distribution, features of reproduction and other important aspects, one way or another, associated with otters.

Description

1. By otter is meant a mammal, which is considered to be a predator. Individuals from the common family in their dimensional characteristics grow to 60-90 cm, it all depends on the specific species. The tail in length reaches about 25-50 cm, which is quite a lot for an average animal.The body is muscular and strong, the otter is distinguished by maneuverability in water and a funny gait on land.
2. A distinctive characteristic is that some large individuals are only 10 kg in weight. Most of the volume of the body is given to dense fur, which is appreciated. As for pigmentation, mammals can be either brownish or brown, and the tone does not depend on the type of representative of the family. Fur coat shortish, but dense and valuable.
3. As for molting, it can occur in the spring season or summer season. These mammals are very clean, they can take care of themselves for hours, licking the fur and cleaning it from dirt. Therefore, these animals are very often kept at home. Wool will cease to keep warm when it is very dirty. The intellect of otters makes it possible to understand this, therefore they do not give descent to themselves or posterity.
4. Despite the fact that the eyes are small and resemble buttons, these mammals have excellent eyesight. And they perfectly see both in water space, and being on land. The paws are equipped with membranes, since the animal spends most of its time in the water.Members of the family are excellent dives and swimmers, have strong sharp claws and rounded long fingers.
5. Interestingly arranged ears, as well as the nose of the animal. As soon as the mammal sinks into the water, these parts of the body overlap with membranes, thereby preventing the penetration of water. When an otter leads a hunt, it swims up to 0.3 km at a time with a top speed. If the mammal feels threatened, it will begin to hiss. In the process of pampering, babies can squeak or chirp.
6. The distribution of otters received extensive. However, they are often used only as hunters or pets. Some even eat them, which does not have a positive effect on the population. In the process of hunting mammals drive fish to the nets, thereby increasing the catch. In the natural environment, members of the family have many enemies, including stray dogs, bears, crocodiles, big birds, jaguars and wolves. But the greatest danger is human activity.

Habitat

1. The discussed species of animals are found in almost all corners of the globe.Distribution affects Eurasia, except, perhaps, Switzerland, Holland. There are also individuals in the USA, North Africa. In the process of choosing a place to live, otters prefer a clean environment.
2. Individuals of this family will not swim in polluted and muddy water sources. They need clean water. Often otters swim from place to place if food runs out. They eat fish, crustaceans, mollusks and amphibians. In the summer, the selected area is not subject to change, otters live there permanently. They can sail for 5 km. from home, but no further.
3. However, in the winter, it all depends on the temperature of the water in the habitat area. If the source is frozen completely, then the animals leave this place. They adore snow and ice skating, do not freeze at all and can stay in the water for a long time. Thanks to their endurance, flocks can pack up, go over 10 km. To reach a suitable point.
4. There are many varieties of these mammals. For example, the Caucasian representative feels great on the top. It can go many kilometers through the mountains without feeling tired.It is located at an altitude of 2.5 km. above sea level. When these mammals decide to stop, they do not dig a hole for themselves, but occupy a dwelling left by beavers.
5. The area must necessarily be hidden from the eyes of predators and humans. As a rule, this zone is difficult to reach or inaccessible at all, except for the otters themselves. As a rule, animals do not lay trails, but use what they have. The same road to the house carefully and guarded. In addition to the main dwelling, animals acquire other shelters near the site. But this place is located from a water source at a distance of 0.2 km. To protect itself from the release of water beyond the shore.

Nutrition

1. The basis of the daily menu is fish, but this does not end the meal options. Representatives of the family under discussion lay on the eggs of birds, mollusks, crayfish, some insects and rodents. Otters are famous for their voracity, so they need a fishy place for food. Otherwise, mammals will weaken and die.
2. All individuals of the Mustelidae are excellent hunters. They first treat their prey playfully, then eat it.These animals bring tremendous value to fishermen, as they drive fish into the net perfectly. A mammal can consume about 1 kg per day. fish.
3. Interestingly otter eats while in the aquatic environment. She catches a small fish, turns over on her back, puts fish on her stomach and slowly uses it. Large prey pulls ashore to quietly feast on. When the meal comes to an end, the otter rubs the belly and brushes clean.

Lifestyle

1. It is believed that individuals belong to animals that are nocturnal. However, they may well be active in the daytime or in the evening. Do not think that this could harm them in any way.
2. It is worth noting that such animals in most cases prefer a single lifestyle. An exception can be considered the period when the female has cubs. Offspring continues to live with the mother up to 1 year. After that, the kids leave her.
3. In addition, otters are divided into subspecies, in this case there are those individuals that, on the contrary, do not tolerate solitude. A separate species of European otters stands out. They are active during the day, and besides, they are not fearful.
4. Such individuals live mostly in packs, in the same way they hunt. Animals gather around and drive the fish to the center. An interesting fact is that in most cases, otters spend a lot of time in water, but on land they are also not bad.
5. On the ground, animals are trying to move at a trot. After themselves, they leave a winding track. Often they even jump forward. Surprisingly, the length of their jump can reach 1.5m. As for winter conditions, animals hardly move through loose snow.
6. The problem is that otters have short limbs. Therefore, they hump and try to move at a gallop. If the snow already has a denser structure, they slide on it on the belly. In addition, the animals are characterized by increased activity and playfulness.
7. Therefore, not far from their minks, you can watch knurled slides. On the hills there are also similar rolled tracks. The animals, like the penguins, accelerate and slide on the belly. And otters ride in their pleasure, they can climb the hill several times and descend from it.
8. Individuals love to play, and their main fun is to catch their own tail.They can hunt and for paws. In addition, otters, catching a fish, can first play with it, before you eat it.
9. In the warm season, when there is a sufficient amount of fish in the reservoir, the animals are in no hurry to leave such an area. Most often they are tied to this site. The otter's diet includes fish, crabs, rodents, frogs and even birds.
10. The territory for hunting otters can extend along the coast for 18 km. Moreover, animals can move away from the shore up to 100 m. In winter, when it is difficult to search for food, individuals travel up to 20 km per day. in search of prey.

Breeding

1. Individuals reach sexual maturity at the age of about two years. Males in this regard are delayed by about a year. In most cases, such individuals prefer to lead a single lifestyle. Mating directly occurs in the water.
2. Reproduction occurs only once a year and it falls on the spring. The pregnancy of the female lasts a little over 2 months. At a time, no more than 4 babies can be born. They are born blind, but with warm fur. They gain sight after 1 month.
3. Then they already begin to erupt teeth, they learn to swim.At the age of six months, they try to lead an independent lifestyle. As soon as the offspring is 1 year old, they leave their parents. An otter lives on average about 15 years.

Otters are amazing creatures, they are playful and very active. At present, many people prefer to start such animals as pets. However, due to the activity of poachers, the number of individuals is under threat.

Video: Otter (Lutra lutra)