Eurasian Otter

About this species

Size

57–95cm, excluding tail

Weight

Usually 7–12kg

Diet

Mainly fish; also amphibians, crustaceans, insects, birds, and small mammals

Habitat

Freshwater lakes, rivers, streams, canals, ponds, and some coasts

Range

Europe, North Africa, and much of Asia

Litter size

1–4

Gestation

60–64 days

The Eurasian otter is a long, streamlined semiaquatic mustelid with dark brown upper fur, a cream throat and belly, short limbs, and a thick tapering tail. Adults usually measure 57–95cm before the 35–45cm tail and commonly weigh 7–12kg; females are smaller than males. Dense bones reduce buoyancy while swimming. Compared with the North American river otter, it has a shorter neck, broader face, wider ear spacing, and proportionally longer tail, although across most of Eurasia it is the only native otter likely to be encountered. (Wikipedia, general species account)

The species uses food-rich lakes, rivers, streams, canals, and ponds, and can live on coasts if fresh water is available for washing its fur. Fish dominate the diet, with amphibians, crustaceans, insects, birds, eggs, and small mammals taken seasonally. Adults are mainly solitary and mark territories with droppings known as spraints; male and female ranges may overlap. Mating occurs in water and can take place throughout the year. After a 60–64-day gestation, females bear one to four pups, which remain dependent for roughly thirteen months. central Asia-specific locality information was not found in the opened account. (Wikipedia, general species account)

Description: Wildlife of Korea guide, Wildlife of Everywhere (wildlifeofeverywhere.com); general species information paraphrased from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)