Excellent and lithe swimmers, the young are in the water by 10 weeks of age. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. Mink can be a threat to young otters but recent observations have indicated that adult otters will chase mink away from their territories. Populations in coastal areas utilise shallow, inshore marine areas for feeding but also require fresh water for bathing and terrestrial areas for resting and breeding holts. Eurasian otters may also live along the coast, in salt water, but require regular access to fresh water to clean their fur. The return of otters to the UK. If you would like to discover the area Otters are semi-aquatic mammals and well adapted to life in the water. Otters are carnivorous mustelids in the Lutrinae subfamily. IOSF has been vetted and approved to receive grants from CAF America; if you are a US donor wishing to make a tax-deductible contribution to support us, you may give to CAF America and recommend that the grant be made to IOSF. While otters completely disappeared from the rivers of most of central and southern England in just 50 years, their future now looks much brighter. In the UK IOSF is the only charity solely dedicated to the conservation, protection and care of otters based on years of scientific research in the UK and around the world. Volunteers can help monitor otter populations for wildlife charities. IOSF is working on the conservation of all 13 species so please support our work. One of the most rewarding wildlife experiences in Britain, an otter is a magical sight and a conservation success. Living in chilly water, an otter's metabolic motor is running around four and a half times the speed of a dog's. 8: Stay aware. In the UK IOSF is the only charity solely dedicated to the conservation, protection and care of otters based on years of scientific research in the UK and around the world. Orginally aired 21/02/11 Otter Project We run a long term environmental surveillance scheme, using otters found dead to investigate contaminants, disease, and population biology across the UK. IOSF has been vetted and approved to receive grants from CAF America; if you are a US donor wishing to make a tax-deductible contribution to support us, you may give to CAF America and recommend that the grant be made to … Otter Habitat and Distribution Otters are found on every single continent in the world except for Australia and Antarctica. The best time to see otters is either at dawn or dusk. Visit our otters at ZSL London Zoo Today, the species is flourishing across Scotland, and recovering well across the UK as waterways are cleaned up. Oakham Shop Opening Times: Monday-Saturday 09:00-17:30. Otters tend to be seen close to shore. Shropshire Wildlife Trust's Otter Project. Sussex Wildlife Trust's Wetland Landscapes Officer, Fran Southgate on BBC1's Inside Out talking about otters in Sussex. Otters' Green from Mapcarta, the free map. Otters are fun creatures to watch and they are highly intelligent. Map multiple locations, get transit/walking/driving directions, view live traffic conditions, plan trips, view satellite, aerial and street side imagery. In sub-Saharan Africa there is a motley, white-spotted, or spotted otter, in the Indochina and the Malay Archipelago – the Sumatran otter, in Southeast Asia – the Indian otter. It is easy to be confused by a glimpse of a bird diving, or a seal. Otters is set in Wroxham. Shropshire Wildlife Trust's Otter Project. Otter information, Habitat, Feeding, Anatomy, Reproduction, PredatorsFacts about Sea Otter, Giant Otter, European Otter, African Otter and River Otter 7: Never remove spraints (dung). They have long, narrow bodies, with long tails and short legs. There is evidence that in certain parts of the UK the otter is extending its range Otters are slow to reproduce and most mothers only bear two sets of cubs in their lifetime. They are mostly nocturnal, so it's best to look for them at dawn and dusk. Otter habitat is not exclusive to dens, and it is also known in quiet undisturbed areas, for them to sleep above ground in what are known as couches, made from reeds or grass. "These jangling, snarling, roaming, twitching bundles of ADHD," as he put it, spend 18 hours asleep and six hours engaged in "frenetic killing". One of the most rewarding wildlife experiences in Britain, an otter is a magical sight and a conservation success. As part of a scheme to monitor the distribution of otters throughout the UK, four England otter survey have been carried out covering the years 1977-79, 1984-85 and 1991-94, and 2000-02. Top Facts about Otters. In the UK IOSF is the only charity solely dedicated to the conservation, protection and care of otters based on years of scientific research in the UK and around the world. Excellent and lithe swimmers, the young are in the water by 10 weeks of age. Their webbed feet and long, muscular tail enable them to swim comfortably at about one metre […] Otters are carnivorous mammals in the subfamily Lutrinae. IOSF has been vetted and approved to receive grants from CAF America; if you are a US donor wishing to make a tax-deductible contribution to support us, you may give to CAF America and recommend that the grant be made to IOSF. The otter Lutra lutra is a semi-aquatic mammal, which occurs in a wide range of ecological conditions, including inland freshwater and coastal areas (particularly in Scotland). In the UK IOSF is the only charity solely dedicated to the conservation, protection and care of otters based on years of scientific research in the UK and around the world. The return of the otter to waterways across the country is one of the UK’s top conservation Buckfast Butterflies & Dartmoor Otter Sanctuary The Station, Buckfastleigh, Devon. Otters are well suited to a life on the water as they have webbed feet, dense fur to keep them warm, and … After their epic journey from Alaska to Birmingham, the pair have been settling into their new home under the watchful eye of our Otter Care Team. With direct access to a patio, this holiday home comes with 3 separate bedrooms and a fully equipped kitchen. It establishes a burrow close to the water's edge in river, lake, swamp, coastal shoreline, tidal flat, or estuary ecosystems. A UK's first - Sea Otters! Giant otters use these marks to recognize one another, and upon meeting other otters, they engage in a behavior known as "periscoping", displaying their throats and upper chests to each other. 6: NEVER BAIT AREAS OR OTTERS. In Being A Beast, the writer Charles Foster attempted to live like one, calculating he'd need to eat 88 Big Macs each day to keep pace. Reports now state that otters inhabit every county in the UK – great news for the otter! Find where to see otters around the UK. Otter droppings, or spraints, are often used to mark territory. Sea otters feed almost exclusively on slow moving fishes and invertebrates like crabs, clams, snails, sea urchins, abalones, and mussels. The otter is one of Britain's largest carnivores and a male otter may weigh over 15kg although females are somewhat lighter. "It's not physically possible for them to spread very quickly," said Yoxon. These are very important, as they are used to communicate with other otters. Otters have their cubs in underground burrows, known as 'holts'. You will know it is an otter if it remains active, diving for an average of 20 seconds, only pausing to eat its food. Two species are marine; the others live mostly in fresh water. Otter babies are called pups. There is evidence that in certain parts of the UK the otter is extending its range and may be increasing locally. It can be fun to test out your knowledge as you go. Otters are extremely social and it isn’t uncommon to see them playing with each other in the water or on the shore. The oldest recorded otter reached around 12 years of age, but this is exceptional. But don't mistakenly call these beasts 'sea otters' – they are still our native otter, and not the different North American sea otter. Lutrinae is a branch of the Mustelidae family, which also includes weasels, badgers, mink, and wolverines, among other animals. However, otter populations in England are very fragmented and the animals breed slowly. There are 13 extant species of otter around the world, one of which is native to the UK. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, 8 things to make your daily walk more special, Calls for garden centres to close during lockdown, National Trust outdoor locations to stay open, Bizarre 'hair ice' found in Northern Ireland, 2020 to become Britain's "greenest year on record", Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall on Jan health kicks, How to turn your Christmas tree into a bird feeder, The best garden holidays for 2021 and beyond, Remote island seeks 5 new volunteer wardens, Country Living, Part of the Hearst UK Fashion & Beauty Network. This is a map of various places we have had the pleasure of photographing and adding to Google Maps. The North American river otter, a member of the subfamily Lutrinae in the weasel family (Mustelidae), is equally versatile in the water and on land. 5 April 2019 Changed which sections of the Wildlife and Countryside Act give protection to otters. Newborns are only about 12cm long but grow quickly and can swim at three months. Sleek and glistening, the otter coiled on the bank, before slipping away, re-entering the water 'by melting' as Ted Hughes once wrote. Otters Fine Foods. The species was driven to near extinction in some areas between the 1950s and 1970s, but thanks to improvements in water quality and greater protection it can once again be found across Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and – as of 2011 – every county in England. In the UK IOSF is the only charity solely dedicated to the conservation, protection and care of otters based on years of scientific research in the UK and around the world. Otters have the densest fur of any animal—as many as a million hairs per square inch in places. The weight of the Canadian otter can reach 14 kg. Otters are highly adapted aquatic hunters, who are related to badger and pine marten, and are one of the most eagerly sought, yet elusive mammals in Scotland. Otters are well suited to a … They have a long, streamlined body which can grow up to 1.2m in males (known as dogs) and 1m in … When living in the sea, individuals of this species are sometimes referred to as "sea otters", but they should not be confused with the true sea otter , a North Pacific species much more strongly adapted to a marine existence. They have a long, streamlined body which can grow up to 1.2m in males (known as dogs) and 1m in … Orginally aired 21/02/11 One of the reasons for the excitement, is like humans Otters appear to like their food. Other otters give birth in dens. I have been filming and photographing European otters in Norfolk, UK for years. While otters completely disappeared from the rivers of most of central and southern England in just 50 years, their future now looks much brighter. The otter is lithe and slender with short legs, a strong neck, and a long flat tail that helps propel it gracefully through water. Volunteers can help monitor otter populations for wildlife charities. Otters also have an acute sense of smell! Zoologists find it so difficult to follow them in the wild that Britain's leading researchers can only get up close when they are dead. Foster realised it was impossible to mimic their way of life. However, if left to their own devices, they can create quite the stench around any space because they leave decomposing pieces of food and piles of feces in their wake. Even I've seen one swimming among the lily pads here. They are usually a shade of light brown, which can look darker when wet. This holiday home offers a garden. Cubs are usually born in a holt in a bank, or between rocks or tree roots. 3. Find out more about them by clicking on the map. The return of the otter to waterways across the country is one of the UK’s top conservation success stories. – but our river systems still require extensive habitat management to restore them to a healthy level that can sustain fish stocks and wildlife. The sea otters were scientifically described for the first time by the German zoologist Georg Steller (March 10, 1709-Tiumén, November 14, 1746)) in field notes in the year 1751.. A few years later, the Swedish botanist Carlos Linnaeus (May 23, 1707-January 10, 1778) also described them in his work Systema Naturae which was written in 1758. Subscribe here. Cape clawless otters and Asian small clawed otters love frogs, crustaceans, crabs and mollusks. Country Living participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Doing so may change otter behaviour patterns and will be VERY detrimental to the species. Otters' Green is situated in Botley. Size: Males (also known as dog otters) can reach a length of 130cm from nose to tail, while females (bitch otters) are smaller. Otters are slow to reproduce and most mothers only bear two sets of cubs in their lifetime. Our only native species powers through the water at a metre per second in pursuit of eels and other fish. Do more with Bing Maps. While otters completely disappeared from the rivers of most of central and southern England in just 50 years, their future now looks much brighter. Company Number: 109031 They are born weighing only 4.5 ounces (128 grams) for smaller species and 5 lbs. They are perfectly adapted to a semi-aquatic life. Two rescued Alaskan sea otters have become residents in our new £multi-million marine rescue facility as part of a pioneering education and conservation project. Mating occurs at any time of the year and females give birth to 2 – 3 cubs, usually between May and August. It is no wonder that the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) has inspired some wonderful writing, from Henry Williamson's Tarka the Otter to Gavin Maxwell's Ring of Bright Water. Look for track marks by the water’s edge and see if you can find any holts (otter dens) along the bank. 15 December 2014 The link for more detail on surveys … Otters are restless, playful and secretive mammals that spend most of their time along riverbanks. The International Otter Survival Fund (IOSF) is one of the world's leading otter charities. Derbyshire Wildlife Trust Willington Gravel Pits - This former sand and gravel quarry provides a haven for wildlife in the Trent Valley. Artistic maps for outdoors types; fell runners, road runners, hikers, cyclists, MTB’ers and everyone else, by the Otter There are 13 species of otter which live in Europe, Asia, Africa, North, Central and South America: Eurasian otters, smooth-coated otters, Asian small-clawed otters, hairy-nosed otters, sea otters, North American river otters, neotropical otters, giant otters, Southern river otters, marine otters, African clawless otters, Congo clawless otters and spotted-necked otters. In the Area Localities Curdridge Village, 1 mile northeast Boorley Green Hamlet, 1 … 3. While most otters prefer to live solitary lives, this species are sociable creatures and live in family groups. 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. River otters as a whole look quite similar to weasels. Otters are often elusive, with large ranges and nocturnal behaviour making spotting them a rare and wonderful experience. Perhaps the most foolproof location for otters is the Isle of Mull. This feature is from Country Living magazine. So worth it for their beautiful faces and graceful swimming. 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. 10 great places to see otters Finding an otter is never easy, but these reserves offer you a good chance - and a fun day out. Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps. We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. Otters have their cubs in underground burrows, known as 'holts'. "It's not physically possible for them to spread very quickly," said Yoxon. Otters are semi-aquatic mammals and well adapted to life in the water. Contact Paul Wilkinson at enquiries.westmidlands@canalrivertrust.org.uk. Otters' Green is an accommodation in Hampshire. They have stocky legs, a long, streamlined body, and a broad muzzle with prominent, sensitive whiskers. Giant otter muzzles are short and sloping and give the head a ball-shaped appearance. The Otter is a European protected species and is afforded protection under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 . Otters can be found in many different bodies of waters, from large locks and lakes to smaller rivers and streams. IOSF has been vetted and approved to receive grants from CAF America; if you are a US donor wishing to make a tax-deductible contribution to support us, you may give to CAF America and recommend that the grant be made to IOSF. The 13 extant otter species are all semiaquatic, aquatic or marine, with diets based on fish and invertebrates. Otters may look like cuddly creatures but they can also be very defensive when they feel that they are their offspring are in danger. In North America, the Canadian otter lives, which differs from the common otter only in its large size and skull structure. Welcome to the Otters of the World. Registered Office: 7 Black Park, Broadford, Isle of Skye, IV49 9DE, Scotland, Dedicated to the conservation, protection and care of otters. Shropshire Wildlife Trust's Otter Project uses camera traps to search for otters on the River Severn, and the Canal & River Trust is seeking volunteers to help survey otters on the waterways of Birmingham. But you can bank on the fact that there is an otter somewhere in a river near you if you live in Britain - a remarkable success story for a species driven to extinction in many parts of the country just decades ago. Meanwhile footage of two otters grappling with a huge fish also caused a stir this week after it was shared by Cumbria Wildlife Trust. Otters and the Law Otters can be found on the main rivers and tributaries; all canals; at Pant-y-Sais Fen and in coastal salt marsh areas in Neath Port Talbot. They enjoy the freshwater but they are also known to live in the saltwater of the oceans as well. Why not also find out more about our current projects. The video was sent into the organisation by a Kendal resident, who captured the otters competing against each other to claim the tasty prize. IOSF has been vetted and approved to receive grants from CAF America; if you are a US donor wishing to make a tax-deductible contribution to support us, you may give to CAF America and recommend that the grant be made to IOSF. In the UK IOSF is the only charity solely dedicated to the conservation, protection and care of otters based on years of scientific research in the UK and around the world. Please remain aware of how the otter is behaving. Twenty-five years ago, The English otter population was on the brink of extinction after half a century of agricultural chemicals leaching into the rivers and polluting the food chain. Otters have small, rounded ears, and long sensitive whiskers to help them feel the vibrations of their prey. Shropshire Wildlife Trust's Otter Project uses camera traps to search for otters on the River Severn, and the Canal & River Trust is seeking volunteers to help survey otters on the waterways of Birmingham. Earsham Wetland Centre on the banks of the River Waveney, on the Suffolk-Norfolk border, offers free entry and a riverside walk where they are regularly spotted. Charity Number: SC003875 Otter Social Structure The social structure of Otters is one that seems very complex from the outside looking in. Britain’s otters may breed during any month of the year. IOSF has been vetted and approved to receive grants from CAF America; if you are a US donor wishing to make a tax-deductible contribution to support us, you may give to CAF America and recommend that the grant be made to … Otters consume mainly fish but many people think that they eat plants and berries. The otter (Lutra lutra) was lost from most of England and Wales between the 1950s and the 1970s because of pesticide pollution of waterways. Here are the best places in the UK where you can catch a glimpse of these fascinating creatures... Bosherston Lakes in Pembrokeshire is one of the most reliable places for seeing these mammals. ONE of our Camera Club members has taken some fantastic photographs of a group of otters at Arrow Valley Lake in Redditch. Sea otters often float at the water's surface, lying on their backs in a posture of serene repose. 2021 © All Rights Reserved. Otters are cute, curious, intelligent little creatures that can be more entertaining than annoying. Otters may also rest or seek temporary shelter in above-ground structures known as ‘couches’. They leave the protection of their mothers at 10 – 12 months and can breed at 2 years old. Shropshire Wildlife Trust's Otter Project, The best places to see bluebells in the UK, The best places to see daffodils across the UK this year, The 10 best places to see snowdrops in the UK. But having seen a British otter at the Sanctuary and read the facts about otters, visitors should not have any problem distinguishing between mink and otters. But it survived in Scotland’s cleanest bodies of water in the north and west. Website by Doug Lapsley. Our otters at ZSL London Zoo are Oriental small-clawed otters and are actually the smallest species of otter. Recently I have been filming wild otters underwater. Find where to see otters around the UK. Otters also have particularly stinky poop, which even has its own name: spraints. They also enjoy the eggs of larger creatures. There is evidence that in certain parts of the UK the otter is extending its range and Such murmurations occur around Britain — starlingsintheuk.co.uk has a roost map — but most breathtakingly on Somerset’s Avalon Marshes , wetlands and … A diving otter All otters The otter belongs to the same family as the badger, pine marten, stoat and. Sussex Wildlife Trust's Wetland Landscapes Officer, Fran Southgate on BBC1's Inside Out talking about otters in Sussex. [15] Most of us don’t know much about them so here are some facts to help you educate yourself about them. It is the former otter-breeding centre for The Otter Trust. TQ11 0DZ 01364 642916 Description and ecological characteristics. Otter, any of 13–14 species of semiaquatic mammals that belong to the weasel family and are noted for their playfulness. Contact Paul Wilkinson at enquiries.westmidlands@canalrivertrust.org.uk. They also enjoy the eggs of larger creatures. It is top of its food chain, with no natural predators, and yet its existence is a triumph against the odds. At least three of the cute creatures were spotted by Carl Richard Harris, who took the snapshots on Monday morning (November 16). They sleep this way, often gathered in groups. Otters are carnivorous mustelids in the Lutrinae subfamily.There are 13 extant species of otter around the world, one of which is native to the UK. Watch sea otters crack open mussels on stone anvils Inside the dark world of captive wildlife tourism She donated her body to science, and now she'll live forever Otters: surveys and mitigation for development ... - GOV.UK A TV is provided. Otters return to every county in England Once the rivers were cleaned up, fish returned to once-polluted waters and otters began to spread back eastwards from their strongholds in Devon and Wales Wolverines, among other animals survived in otters uk map ’ s otters may look like cuddly creatures but they their! 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