Wild Wednesday - European Otter
The European otter (Lutra lutra) is native to the UK, found in a variety of habitats, including rivers, lakes, marshes, and coastal areas. Otter hotspots include the west coast of Wales and South West England, but they will live wherever there is clean freshwater with plenty of food and secluded areas of vegetation to rest and raise young.
They were once nearly wiped out in the UK due to habitat destruction, hunting, and pollution, especially the use of pesticides. However, since the 1970s, otter populations have made a remarkable recovery, thanks to conservation efforts and a ban on harmful chemicals.
Otters are carnivorous and primarily feed on fish, but they also eat amphibians, crustaceans, and small mammals. They are skilled hunters and have sharp teeth and strong jaws to catch and eat their prey.
This mammal is primarily nocturnal (active at night), tending to be most active at dawn and dusk, foraging and hunting for food. While they are solitary, some may form temporary groups in areas with abundant food.
Otters create dens called holts for resting and raising their young. These are often located in riverbanks, under tree roots, or in dense vegetation. Holts may have multiple entrances and are often quite hidden from human view. They breed in the winter, and the female usually gives birth to one to three cubs in spring. Otter cubs are born blind and helpless and depend on their mother for the first few months. The mother teaches them to hunt and swim as they grow older.
They are protected by law in the UK, as they are a species of conservation concern. Killing, injuring, or disturbing otters is illegal under the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981.
Read more: European otter | The Wildlife Trusts