Following a period of serious decline between the 1950s and 1970s when the species was driven to near extinction in some areas, these water-dwelling mammals have made a comeback in every county in England and beyond. 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. They are friendly and playful which is why they’re one of the well-loved animals in the world. You can unsubscribe at any time. It is a man-made landscape impacted by natural processes - the open water is a result of flooded peat diggings. Until 1998, it was thought to have been extinct, but small populations have been discovered since then. At WWT we have wild otters living on all our reserves. Otter numbers in the UK have increased slightly in recent years but the Eurasian otter is still classed as … Spotted-necked otter. The Scottish population is estimated to be around 8000 otters. Today, the Eurasian otter population is increasing (although it remains Near Threatened on the Red List) and every county in the UK now has a wild otter population. Today, the species is flourishing across Scotland, and recovering well across the UK as waterways are cleaned up. 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! This species is known to mostly feed on beetles, worms, birds and other small mammals. Otters are fascinating animals as well as being adorable. These include webbed feet and the ability to close their nostrils and ears when under water. American mink Mustela vison were introduced to the UK at the beginning of the 20th century, and are now considered an invasive species. They have two types of fur, … They are fast, naturally secretive and usually nocturnal. There are many reasons for this, including their small size, a high metabolic rate, a complete reliance on their fur for thermal isolation and long periods spent floating in the water where oil has collected. Discover more fascinating facts about giant otters in our fact file by the International Otter Survival Fund. Keep an ear out for scrabbling, splashing and squeaking. If you don’t see one, you can always visit Martin Mere or London Wetland Centre to see some of our resident Asian-short clawed, or Slimbridge to see our North American river otters (they’re not nocturnal, so you’re more likely to get a glimpse.). 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. Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2020 – The People’s Choice Award, Namibian fishing laws cut seabird deaths by more than 90%, Hippo guide: species facts and the best places to see in the wild. The Sea Otter is the only species that have a shorter and less muscular tail. The season for mating depends on the region where they live. policy for further information about how we use your personal information. Reports now state that otters inhabit every county in the UK – great news for the otter! This species is the most widely distributed of all the otters, ranging through Eurasia up to the Arctic Circle, from Ireland to Kamchatka, and south to North Africa, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. The Non-native Species Secretariat has responsibility for helping to coordinate the approach to invasive non-native species in Great Britain. This species has the widest distribution of all the Lontra species, from northern and central Argentina up through south and central America to northwest Mexico. This animal can easily be observed during the day as it rests on tree branches or rocks. Otters and their mustelid relatives were once hunted extensively for their fur, many to the point of near extinction. Along riverbanks and waterways, look for five-toed footprints (about 6-7cm long) and droppings or 'spraints'. 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. They occur throughout Northern Ireland in both freshwater and coastal habitats. 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. Cubs are usually born in a holt in a bank, or between rocks or tree roots. Wetland wildlife. Otters are ready to reproduce when they are from 2 to 3 years of age. Threats to their recovery include habitat loss, severe flooding, and road traffic. 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. 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 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 consume mainly fish but many people think that they eat plants and berries. 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. Sea otters are native to the coasts of the northern and eastern North Pacific Ocean. Beautiful, sleek and playful, otters are a joy to watch as they twist and dive in the water. Because otters eat mainly fish, you’ll generally find them in areas where there are plenty of this food source. Otters declined catastrophically throughout England in the late 1950s. Otters have a long, slim body with a powerful tail which they use when swimming. Due to trapping, water pollution and habitat degradation, the numbers of North American river otter had declined through most of their range by the early 1900s. About the National Non-Native Species Secretariat. In the UK, otters almost became extinct in the fifties and sixties because of rivers contaminated with chemical residues. Type: Mammal 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. Otter droppings, or spraints, are often used to mark territory – look for them along the river bank or on rocks. But don't mistakenly call these beasts 'sea otters' – they are still our native otter, and not the different North American sea otter. Thanks mainly to conservation efforts, in the early 1990s these chemicals were banned and as water quality slowly increased so did otter numbers. Today though, otters have returned to most of their former haunts in Norfolk. Otters are largely solitary, semi-aquatic mammals that get most of their food from lochs, rivers or the sea. Summary. Also known as the Cape clawless otter, the African clawless otter is found through much of sub-Saharan Africa. While hunting and habitat loss played a part, pollution of our waterways from agricultural chemicals was devastating to otter populations. Otters are noisy creatures and you might well hear them before you see them. Otters are carnivorous mammals in the subfamily Lutrinae. However, between the 1950s and 1970s, their numbers significantly dropped, prompting conservationists to sound the alarm bells for one of UK’s beloved animals. Keep an eye out for them: Today an otter’s main threat is from what we put in the water. There are 13 extant species of otter around the world, one of which is native to the UK. 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! Otter causing great excitement in the entrance ditch at Slimbridge WWT this lunchtime! 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). Posted in: 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. Ask anyone what their favourite wetland animal is and many will say it’s an otter. 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). The 13 extant otter species are all semiaquatic , aquatic or marine , with diets based on fish and invertebrates . They also eat crustaceans, frogs and even small water birds. The Minch waters between Skye and the Outer Hebrides, where many otters live, is still a major tanker route. At Slimbridge there are regular otter visitors to the Kingfisher Hide and at Washington otters have made the saline lagoon their home. In local areas its presence will depend on the provision of suitable aquatic habitats, sufficient food and cover fo… Status: Near Threatened … Otter cubs only open their eyes about five weeks after they are born. 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. This species occurs throughout the USA and Canada, and has been reintroduced to midwestern USA in order to expand its distribution. – but our river systems still require extensive habitat management to restore them to a healthy level that can sustain fish stocks and wildlife. In the wild, the distribution range of this species includes India, Taiwan and southern China. 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. Currently stable populations exist in parts of the Russian east coast, Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, and California, with reports of recolonisations in Mexico and Japan. Otters are regularly recorded here, and there is also the chance to see large numbers of wildfowl in winter. In Italy, they can be found in southern parts of the peninsula. Species. They are definitely meat eaters. Their favourite habitats include wetlands, rivers and coastlines. Otters have five claws so it’s easy to tell an otter footprint from most other animals. The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis), also known as the northern river otter or common otter, is a semiaquatic mammal endemic to the North American continent found in and along its waterways and coasts. Though they typically forage alone, sea otters tend to rest together and link arms in single-sex groups called rafts. However, following a series of escapes and releases, by 1956 it was apparent that there was a self-sustaining feral population. This is one of the many features they have which is suited to a life in and around water. 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! Extremely few individuals survive in Vietnam, southern Thailand, Sumatra and Cambodia, mainly due to poaching. The South American river otter can be found in marine, freshwater, and terrestrial habitats throughout Chile and Argentina. It is a gregarious species, living in groups of up to 20 individuals, and will attack potential predators such as caimans. This species can grow quite large, almost as big as the giant otter, and weigh up to 18kg. They are a greeny black colour and are often described as smelling like flowers! By continuing to use our site, you are Thanks! 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. This species once had an extensive distribution from the Cauquenes and Cachapoal Rivers to the Magellan region in Chile, but is now restricted to seven isolated areas from Cautín to Futaleufú due to overhunting.