OTTER

Otters are carnivorous mammals in the subfamily Lutrinae. The 13 extant otter species are all semi-aquatic, aquatic or marine, with diets based on fish and invertebrates. Lutrinae is a branch of the Mustelidae family, which also includes Weasels, Badgers, Honey Badgers, Martens, Minks, Polecats and Wolverines.

The word Otter derived from the Old English word otor or oter. This and many cognate words in other Indo-European languages ultimately stem from the Proto-Indo-European language. The root word is wódr̥ which gave rise to the English word water.

Otters have long, slim bodies and relatively short limbs. Their most striking anatomical features are the powerful webbed feet that are used to swim and their seal-like abilities of holding their breath underwater. Most have sharp claws on their feet and all except the Sea Otter have long, muscular tails. The 13 species range in adult size from 0.6 m to 1.8 m (2.0 ft to 5.9 ft) in length and 1 kg to 45 kg (2.2 lb to 99.2 lb) in weight. The Asian Small-Clawed Otter is the smallest Otter species and the Giant Otter and the Sea Otter are the largest of the species. They have very soft insulated under-fur which is protected by an outer layer of long guard hairs. This traps a layer of air which keeps them dry, warm and somewhat buoyant under the water. Several Otter species live in cold waters and have high metabolic rates to help keep them warm.

For most otters, fish is the staple of their diet. This is often supplemented by Frogs, Crayfish and Crabs. Some Otters are experts at opening shellfish and others often feed on available small mammals or birds as the case may be. Prey-dependence leaves Otters very vulnerable to prey depletion. Sea otters are expert hunters and chase and kill Clams, Sea Urchins and other shelled creatures. They are also notable for their ability of using stones to break open Shellfishes on their stomachs.

Otters are playful animals and appear to engage in various behaviours for sheer enjoyment, such as, making waterslides and then sliding on them into the water. They may also find and play with small stones. Different species vary in their social structure with some being largely solitary while others living in groups. In a few species these groups may be fairly large as well.