However, between the 1950s and 1970s, their numbers significantly dropped, prompting conservationists to sound the alarm bells for one of UK’s beloved animals. Newborns are only about 12cm long but grow quickly and can swim at three months. Because otters eat mainly fish, you’ll generally find them in areas where there are plenty of this food source. Meet the adorable members of the otter family from around the world. Otters are noisy creatures and you might well hear them before you see them. Smooth-coated otters occur throughout much of the Indian Subcontinent in Java, Sumatra and Borneo, northward to south-western China, east through Nepal and Bhutan and India to Pakistan, excluding the Indus Valley. In local areas its presence will depend on the provision of suitable aquatic habitats, sufficient food and cover fo… Prior to the 1950s, these fish-devouring mammals were abundant in England. Otters: surveys and mitigation for development ... - GOV.UK The west coast of the Highlands, the Isle of Skye and the Isle of Mull are great otter strongholds, where they can be hard to miss. These include webbed feet and the ability to close their nostrils and ears when under water. An isolated population of the species is also found in the marshes of Iraq indicating the range must once have been wider. In the UK, otters almost became extinct in the fifties and sixties because of rivers contaminated with chemical residues. Welcome to the UK Wild Otter Trust! Ireland 's otters are geographically widespread and believed to be the most stable population in Europe. The Minch waters between Skye and the Outer Hebrides, where many otters live, is still a major tanker route. 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. There is some debate as to whether the Congo clawless otter is a separate species to the African clawless otter (A.capensis), but it is considered a separate species by the IUCN Otter Specialist Group. Otters are largely solitary, semi-aquatic mammals that get most of their food from lochs, rivers or the sea. This is one of the many features they have which is suited to a life in and around water. Eurasian otters are indigenous to the UK and can be found in either fresh or salt water, although it’s usually known as the river otter for the obvious reason. The fur of this species is smoother and shorter than that of other otters, and they use scent to communicate both within the otter species, and with other animals. Talk to any fisherman along the coast, and you’re likely to hear that they just saw one that morning – sometimes trying to pillage their catch! You can discover some of our favourite otter facts here: Editorial and digital co-ordinator at BBC Wildlife Magazine, and countryfile.com. Few animals among Britain’s native wildlife are as endearing as 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. They are friendly and playful which is why they’re one of the well-loved animals in the world. In Ireland the otter population is geographically widely spread. They predate heavily on native animals and are strongly implicated in dramatic declines in water vole Arvicola terrestris populations, a species now considered endangered over much of the country. On the Shetland Islands, some otters have been known to abandon fishing in favour of rabbit hunting. The males are the ones that seek out the females when they are ready to mate. © Ariadne Van Zandbergen/GettyUntil recently, the spotted-necked otter was considered to be part of the Lutra genus, but it is now placed in the Hydrictus genus. Eurasian otters are indigenous to the UK and can be found in either fresh or salt water, although it’s usually known as the river otter for the obvious reason. Otters are carnivorous mustelids in the Lutrinae subfamily. Perhaps the most foolproof location for otters is the Isle of Mull. They also eat crustaceans, frogs and even small water birds. The 13 extant otter species are all semiaquatic , aquatic or marine , with diets based on fish and invertebrates . The Non-native Species Secretariat has responsibility for helping to coordinate the approach to invasive non-native species in Great Britain. The return of the otter to waterways across the country is one of the UK’s top conservation success stories. Otters are ready to reproduce when they are from 2 to 3 years of age. They are fast, naturally secretive and usually nocturnal. Their varied and adaptable diets mean they may inhabit any unpolluted body of fresh water, including lakes, streams, rivers, and ponds, as long as there are adequate food supplies. The position of its eyes are high on its head which means it can see out of the water whilst the rest of its body stays submerged below - like a hippo! Reports now state that otters inhabit every county in the UK – great news for the otter! agreeing to use our cookies. In the past, this species was widely employed throughout its range by fishermen, with trained animals being highly valued. Already have an account with us? Otters and their mustelid relatives were once hunted extensively for their fur, many to the point of near extinction. There are 13 extant species of otter around the world, one of which is native to the UK. This otter is found in coastal areas and on larger inland rivers across Southeast Asia (Myanmar, South Thailand, Cambodia, South Vietnam and Peninsular Malaysia, including Sumatra and Borneo). Thanks! In freshwater they feed on trout and salmon. They are a greeny black colour and are often described as smelling like flowers! More and more traces of drugs and medicines, and the plastic pellets found in exfoliants, are being found in rivers, and they’re also being found in otters’ bodies. The Neotropical otter is the greatest generalist of all otter species, inhabiting a range of habitats including wastewater treatment plants, rice and sugar cane plantations, drainage ditches and swamps to cold, glacial lakes in the Andes of Ecuador. In the wild, the distribution range of this species includes India, Taiwan and southern China. @slimbridge_wild @WWTSlimbridge pic.twitter.com/nJh84PUOpM, A couple of shots of the otter at WWT Llanelli @WWTLlanelli @WWTworldwide @WWTconservation @strictlysophie @wildlife_uk pic.twitter.com/9YTWHJ8RPO. Although the Eurasian otter isn’t a marine animal (don’t confuse it with a sea otter, which are only found in the Pacific) because it can’t survive without fresh water, they are often found in coastal habitats as well as lakes, rivers and streams. Otters are known to compete against foreign species such as mink that have been devastating populations of small native mammals such as the water vole, which has declined to … The otter is the only otter native to the UK. Otter causing great excitement in the entrance ditch at Slimbridge WWT this lunchtime! Ask anyone what their favourite wetland animal is and many will say it’s an otter. Discover more fascinating facts about giant otters in our fact file by the International Otter Survival Fund. The South Korean population is endangered. Otter droppings, or spraints, are often used to mark territory – look for them along the river bank or on rocks. There are 13 different types of otter, including river, sea, giant, African clawless and hairy nosed otter. The marine otter is found along the western coast of the South American continent, with patchy distribution due to some unsuitable habitat and increased human occupation. Barton Broad - The largest Broad in the Ant Valley. This soft layer closest to their skin traps air, which gives good insulation. The South American river otter can be found in marine, freshwater, and terrestrial habitats throughout Chile and Argentina. You can unsubscribe at any time. If there Otters habitat is thriving with enough room for them and plenty of food then they may mate more than once in a give season. About the National Non-Native Species Secretariat. – but our river systems still require extensive habitat management to restore them to a healthy level that can sustain fish stocks and wildlife. Keep an eye out for them: Today an otter’s main threat is from what we put in the water. By the 1970s, otters were restricted mainly to Scotland, especially the islands and the north-west coast, western Wales, parts of East Anglia and the West Country (though they remained common and widespread also in Ireland). Otters leave spraints in prominent places, such as fallen trees, weirs and bridges, as 'scented messages', helping them to find mates and defend territories. There are 13 extant species of otter around the world, one of which is native to the UK. They breed all year round, but in the UK otters tend to have their young (called pups) in the summer months so at this time of year, you stand a better chance of glimpsing a sight of them in rivers and coastal wetlands. In Italy, they can be found in southern parts of the peninsula. American mink Mustela vison were introduced to the UK at the beginning of the 20th century, and are now considered an invasive species. Giant river otters are huge at over 1.5 metres in length. Status: Near Threatened … Otter cubs only open their eyes about five weeks after they are born. Please visit our updated privacy Origin & Distribution: The otter is a secretive semi-aquatic species which was once widespread in Britain. Otters are carnivorous mustelids in the Lutrinae subfamily. While hunting and habitat loss played a part, pollution of our waterways from agricultural chemicals was devastating to otter populations. Beautiful, sleek and playful, otters are a joy to watch as they twist and dive in the water. The season for mating depends on the region where they live. Otters have five claws so it’s easy to tell an otter footprint from most other animals. In India, the species is distributed in the Himalayan foothills, southern Western Ghats and the central Indian landscape. Otter numbers in the UK have increased slightly in recent years but the Eurasian otter is still classed as … Lutrinae is a branch of the Mustelidae family , which also includes weasels , badgers , mink , and wolverines , among other animals. We are a Devon-based charity dedicated to protecting and promoting a positive understanding of the European otter and its conservation.We want everyone to be able to engage with and appreciate these beautiful animals, and we work hard to raise awareness, educate, and share information in as many ways as possible! This species occurs throughout the USA and Canada, and has been reintroduced to midwestern USA in order to expand its distribution. It is found most often in areas with protection from the most severe ocean winds, such as rocky coastlines, thick kelp forests, and barrier reefs. 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