Otters prefer fish which they dive underwater to catch using their sharp teeth and powerful jaws. How to prevent otters predating fisheries and ponds. The otter is a fish hunter, though it happily eats waterbirds, amphibians and crustaceans too, including American signal crayfish. The river otter food chain consists mostly of fish. Their short ears and noses, coupled with their dense, cuddly fur certainly make otters one of the sea’s most adorable examples of marine life – but there’s definitely more to them than being little charmers. They are carnivorous, and most species eat a variety of fish, amphibians, shellfish, crabs, and other aquatic creatures. We talked to one of our trainers about what it’s like spending time with these two amazing creatures. As aquatic mammals, otters spend most of their time in the water. Many otters eat tough food, particularly sea otters that inhabit the shallow coastal waters of the northern Pacific. From a conservation point of view, only the North American river otter is considered to be of ‘Least Concern’, and isn’t the focus of conservation. Diet: Fish, especially eels and salmonids are eaten by the otter, and crayfish at certain times of the year. Because otters eat mainly fish, you’ll generally find them in areas where there are plenty of this food source. Sea otters are the only species of otter to exhibit this behaviour whilst sleeping, resting and eating to ensure group members do not drift off with the currents. damage or destroy an otter’s breeding or resting site. Sea otters can live around 10-15 years, whereas Eurasian otters are lucky to reach 4-years-old in the wild. An otter’s daily routine would usually focus on two main things: sleeping and finding/eating food. An otter can roam 10kms in one night. They leave the protection of their mothers at 10 – 12 months and can breed at 2 years old. 3. Otter families can be quite large, with some having around 20 members, and it’s common for the babies to stay within the same family. The Asian short-clawed otter, which can be found in mountainous areas away from large sources of water, can also hunt ground-nesting birds and rodents. At times our otters can be quite playful with the keepers. Otters occasionally take water birds such as coots, moorhens and ducks. River otters are apex predators in their food web. The primary source of food for the Otter is fish. An otter’s ‘range’ depends on whether an area has enough food for the otter to be able to survive, for example, Eurasian otters’ range can be anywhere from 2 miles to up to 20 miles. Cape clawless and Asian small-clawed otters feed mainly on crabs and other crustaceans, molluscs, and frogs. All otters are expert hunters that eat fish, crustaceans, and other critters. What’s your favourite part about working with our otters? An adult otter needs to eat about 20% of its body weight per day. The majority of species, including the Asian short-clawed otter, the Eurasian otter, marine otter, giant otter and hairy-nose otter, are known to have a gestation period of up to 9 weeks. Although once considered to be on the brink of extinction in the wild across the UK, it’s now recorded that otters can be found in almost all counties, though it’s a rare and lucky occurrence to see these mammals in the wild. Most species have webbed feet, and all have long, sensitive whiskers and thick, water-repellent fur. They enjoy carp, sunfish, minnows, suckers, sculpin and salmonids such as trout and salmon. During the spring months amphibians form a large part of their diet. Sea otters eat about 20-30% of their body weight each day. What Do Otters Eat Regularly? 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. Contributed by: Elizabeth Dack, Otter Otters have their cubs in underground burrows, known as 'holts'. To stay warm in the water for so long, otters have incredibly thick fur, and very fast metabolisms, which means they need to eat a lot – 20% of their body weight per day, during certain months. What can visitors expect from their experience of otters at Blue Reef Aquarium? Otter Diet: Otters live near water because it provides them with everything they need—including food. “We also do a daily feed and talk at 2pm, when the otters are given their lunch whilst a 10/15-minute talk is given by an animal care team member. Contributed by: Elizabeth Dack. Fish, especially eels and salmonids are eaten, and crayfish at certain times of the year. 2. UK otters live on the coast in in freshwater generic nolvadex bodybuilding rivers and lakes. In Norfolk by the 1970s most traditional otter sites were deserted and whole river systems no longer supported any otters. What sort of things have you trained them to do? Discover Norfolk's wildlife, from our majestic marsh harriers to stunning swallowtail butterflies. Otters were released by the Otter Trust in Norfolk between 1984 and 1997 with the approval of the statutory conservation bodies existing at the time; there have been no releases since then (other than orphaned otters which are released by the RSPCA as close as possible to the location that they came from). Sea otters have a high metabolic rate (that is, they use a high amount of energy) that is 2-3 times that of other mammals their size. Otter swimming in a still stream showing a good reflection These are very important, as they are used to communicate with other otters. An adult otter needs to eat about 20% of its body weight per day. Together we can save Norfolk's wildlife - become a member today. Otters are carnivorous animals and fish make up 80% of their diet. In Their gestation period is 9 weeks and they can breed at any time of the year, although this usually occurs in spring. Being a semi-aquatic and nocturnal creature does, though, make this furtive animal difficult to spot. Throughout the year. They also eat crustaceans, frogs and even small water birds. And if you get lucky, what you might see otters catch and eat. Plus, one of our trainers is on hand to introduce you to the otters that you can encounter for yourself! There are many natural predators of otters, such as bobcats, coyotes, wolves, bears and foxes, as well sea lions, orcas, great white sharks, alligators and crocodiles. Giant otters and sea otters spend most of their days awake and about. Every event is enjoyable for all ages, making them a wonderful way for families to explore the natural world together. All in all, the sea otter preys on at least 100 different marine species. All but one species uses inland dens to give birth and look after their young, while protecting them from predators. They aren’t picky eaters though as they will consume just about anything they can find to survive on. This helps them make tight turns underwater as they chase after prey. on 13/11/2019. Dawn and dusk are the most likely times to chance upon an otter. They’re renowned for preying on hard-shelled marine invertebrates, including abalones, sea urchins, clams, mussels and crabs, usually fracturing the shells with their teeth. “My favourite part of working with our otters is learning about their individual personalities, watching their eating habits and the things they each like to do when awake and around their enclosure. Your support helps us protect the future of that wildlife and helps us inspire people to value nature. Otters share similarities with other mammals, especially those found within the same family: the mustelidae. Excellent and lithe swimmers, the young are in the water by 10 weeks of age. Joining us today makes a real difference to Norfolk. How do I know if otters are present on a site? Droppings (spraints) and footprints are more likely to be seen than the actual animal. The primary diet of sea otters consists of aquatic invertebrates including crustaceans, sea urchins, mollusks and fish. Otters have to eat a massive 25% of their body weight every day to maintain weight, and because of their high metabolism, they have to spend around 60% of their time hunting and the other 40% resting. Some other common items that they will … This means if Otters are going well, we can look at activities that have happened and do more of it, like our oyster reintroduction - see below. Sea otters eat about 25% to 30% of their weight. Please remain aware of how the otter is behaving. The elusive otter is one of our top predators, feeding mainly on fish (particularly eels and salmonids), waterbirds, amphibians and crustaceans. Contributed by: David Jackson, Two otters nose to nose in the dyke Coastal otters in Shetland eat bottom-living species such as eelpout, rockling and butterfish. We are on the hunt for images of particular species in Norfolk... have you managed to snap one? Below, an otter catches and brings a crab ashore to eat. When they are hungry for larger game, otters will attack birds, young beavers, and muskrats. The sea otter, one of the 13 otter species, is considered the smallest marine mammal in the world. What do otters eat? They will also feed on mussels and limpets on the seashore and when on land they hunt down frogs, waterfowl, voles and even rabbits. During mealtimes, we separate them out to keep food aggression to an absolute minimum, but like most siblings, Ralph and Selma can get a little angry with each other. Otters are meat eaters. You can watch an otter eat an octopus in the above video. Sea otters have an ingenious method to open shellfish. at NWT Hickling Sea otters and also the African Clawless Otter have broad molar teeth for crushing shellfish whereas the teeth of the European otter are narrower for slicing through fish. “We do a training move wherein we offer out our closed fist above the otter’s head that they touch with their nose. Volunteers play a very important part in the success of Norfolk Wildlife Trust and we really value their support and commitment. Besides, they also prefer to eat crabs, large barnacles, mussels, snails, tubeworms, clams, squid, octopuses, chitons, scallops, sea cucumbers, sea stars and abalone. The young otters are hunted by sharks, predatory seabirds and animals. They grow to one meter (3 to 4 ft) in length and weigh from five to 15 kilograms (10 to 30 lb). However, it’s also known that the young ones will stay with their mother until they are mature enough to start their own families. What do Otters Eat and Where Do They Live? Today though, otters have returned to most of their former haunts in Norfolk. Sea otters eat a wide variety of prey, including marine invertebrates such as echinoderms (sea stars and sea urchins), crustaceans (e.g., crabs), cephalopods (e.g., squid), bivalves (clams, mussels, abalone), gastropods (snails), and chitons. © FLPA/ Alamy Stock Photo In some areas, this is a protected species, and some places have otter sanctuaries that help sick and injured otters to recover. Otters are meat eaters. However, it often leaves tell tale signs behind. Otters occasionally take water birds such as coots, moorhens and ducks. Otters are adapted to life on both land and in water. Otter numbers in the UK have increased slightly in recent years but the Eurasian otter is still classed as … 7: Never remove spraints (dung). Looking to meet Ralph and Selma for yourself? River otters and giant otters hunt by using their vibrissae to detect movements of prey in the water. Contributed by: Elizabeth Dack, Juvenile otter River otters prefer larger fish due to ease of capture; larger prey gives river otters more energy as well. Therefore, it should not come as a surprise that they indulge in food that can be found in and around rivers. What do Otters Eat? Otters will mainly feed on fish (40-90% of their diet)and will take a variety of species depending on the time of year, species such as carp, stickleback and eels. Unlike other otters, having a soft undercoat, sea otters possess fur with thick hard hair. Despite their sleek bodies, these mammals can eat food amounting to as much as 25% of their body weight. Called a ‘raft’, the act has also been thought to be mating behaviour as competition between males can be fierce; some males like to hold the hands of their mates to make sure the female is not taken by another male. Their carnivorous diet is wide-ranging – Roger Cottis once watched an otter drag a conger eel from the sea and devour every inch of it, and if they had the choice, otters would probably dine exclusively on these highly nutritious delicacies. We all love talking about the otters and our other animals, so are always open for questions throughout the day from visitors.”. Coastal otters in Shetland eat bottom-living species such as eelpout, rockling and butterfish. With the ability to smell concentrations of fish and their high metabolisms, otters spend most of their time hunting for their next meal. River otters are known to travel far to fish in other areas if they are finding it hard to find food. Otters also have an acute sense of smell! So, a 50-pound otter would need to eat about 10-15 pounds of food per day. Otter populations crashed to near extinction across most of lowland England by the mid 1970’s as a result of pesticide poisoning, loss of habitat and hunting. The river otter food chain also consists of mussels, bivalves, snails, cr… Events taking place for all the family to enjoy, Support your local Wildlife Trust – buy your bird food from Vine House Farm, Six visitor centres around Norfolk, getting you closer to wildlife. However, when fish is scarce, they eat insects, frogs, birds and other mammals like rodents. The Wildlife Information Service is here to give advice and answer any questions you may have about Norfolk’s wildlife. As well as fish, otters sometimes consume crustaceans (such as crayfish and crabs), amphibians and even insects, waterbirds and small mammals. Pet otters eat a lot. Like weasels, otters have short legs and long flexible bodies. on 15/10/2019. The sea otter is only found in salt water, where it prefers to eat invertebrates such as shellfish. However, the marine otter and the sea otter live within coastal habitats, spending the majority of their lives at the coast. And if you get lucky, what you might see otters catch and eat. Incredible Facts About This Amazing Animal, Junior Aquarist and VIP Behind the Scenes Experience, The Daily Routine of an Otter in the Wild, Meet the Otters at Blue Reef Aquarium Portsmouth. 6: NEVER BAIT AREAS OR OTTERS. River otters' main source of food is fish, but otters are opportunists by nature and will eat a wide variety of foods. They know that if they do this, they will receive a piece of food. Support conservation campaigns to protect wetland areas and ensure our rivers and waterways are free from pollution. Here, we’ll present some amazing facts about otters, including their habitat, what they like to eat, and just why they like to hold hands with each other. The number of otters is increasing in Norfolk. Methods of Collecting Food. In the spring, frogs are an important food item. How … There are a variety of different otter species found within zoos and aquariums in the UK, most commonly the Asian Short-clawed otter, but other species such as giant otters and sea otters can also be found. Their habitats can differ from species to species. 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. Do you have a question about Norfolk's wildlife? However, due to the fur trade, illegal pet trade and problems with fishermen, the biggest predator of otters are actually humans. River otter species can be either, though most are usually more active at night. The Scottish population is estimated to be around 8000 otters. The low life expectancy for some species of otter is down to a few things, including habitat destruction, deforestation, the pet and fur trade, and also their high metabolism. There a bunch of different activities including cutting + tracing practice, do-a-dot pages, 4-part apology cards and more! River otters also prefer slower-moving fish to game fish. In the spring, frogs are an important food item. They have a unique foraging habit because they use rocks to kill their prey. Sea otters have an ingenious method to open shellfish. of food daily. Doing so may change otter behaviour patterns and will be VERY detrimental to the species. Sea otters are even able to drink sea water, as their kidneys are large enough to extract fresh water from the sea water. For more information on how to see them, as well as Blue Reef Aquarium’s incredible array of other marine life, be sure to visit the homepage. With the ability to smell concentrations of fish and their high metabolisms, otters spend most of their time hunting for their next meal. on 28/08/2018. The average otter is 1–1.3 metres in length, and weighs up to 9kg. A Eurasian otter feeding on a common roach caught in a river in Thetford. They will also use some of their day to groom in between rest periods, as otters do not sleep once a day like humans would; they have several rest periods throughout the day and night. They have webbed feet for swimming, dense fur for warmth, and can close their ears and nose underwater. To see an otter in the wild demands not only being in the right place at the right time but also that you spot the otter before the otter spots you. River otters eat 15% to 20% of their total body weight each day. at River Bure Otters are apex predators and therefore what they eat and how they are doing is a great indicator of the lochs overall health. The otter we see in the UK is the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra). With its broad head and long, wide tail the otter has a very distinctive appearance and is easily identified. Newborns are only about 12cm long but grow quickly and can swim at three months. Reproduction In England and Wales otter cubs, usually in litters of two or three, can be born at any time of the year. What do otters eat? Come and discover wildlife as a family! The types of them will depend on the season as well as where they happen to live. If opportunity presents itself, an otter will eat a … Mating occurs at any time of the year and females give birth to 2 – 3 cubs, usually between May and August. The otter increase Otter numbers in the UK had dropped very low by the 1970s, partly due to the effects of certain pesticides. All other species of otter are recorded as Near Threatened, Vulnerable or Endangered. In the UK, one of the biggest natural predators of Eurasian otters is birds of prey, which are likely to swoop down on small otter pups. “We can even use this to weigh them weekly by holding our fists over scales, getting them onto their hind legs to show us their underbellies or even to do some agility training over platforms to see how well their limbs are working. One species of otter is native to the UK: the Eurasian or European otter, which is found across Europe, even reaching some parts of Asia and Africa too. One of their favourite games to play is when we get our waders on and get into their pool using a net, they like to sneak up behind us and when we turn around they swim off – they absolutely love it!”. All otters are expert hunters that eat fish, crustaceans, and other critters. Otters like shallow water with plenty of fish. Otters are accustomed to preying on live animals; hunting is an integral part of … A fish farmer who claims his business was ruined after otters ate all of his 22,000 prized carp has been told his argument for damages is "hopeless". Otters occasionally take water birds such as coots, moorhens and … Our otters at the sanctuary are fed a variety of fish including salmon, trout, eels and a food mix … Most otters can’t survive without access to fresh water. Be warned, it’s rather gruesome viewing with the tentacle-less octopus changing colour as it’s being eaten alive. Their carnivorous diet is wide-ranging – Roger Cottis once watched an otter drag a conger eel from the sea and devour every inch of it, and if they had the choice, otters would probably dine exclusively on … Excellent and lithe swimmers, the young are in the water by 10 weeks of age. The North American river otter and sea otter, meanwhile, can have gestation periods of 4-12 months. 4. They’ve become like my wild, extended family. Otter at Strumpshaw Fen by Elizabeth Dack. It is worth pointing out that since the 1970s, otters have also spread naturally from western lowland England back across the Midlands into eastern England, so the release programme simply speeded up their natural re-colonisation of Norfolk. Otters are well suited to a life on the water as they have webbed feet, dense fur to keep them warm, and can close their ears and nose when underwater. NWT Ranworth Broad and NWT Barton Broad are just two places where otters are regularly recorded in Norfolk. In the UK otters can only really be confused with the introduced American mink, but otters are much larger (95-130cm in length, including tail), with a distinctive white throat. Otters tend to live in a holt, which is normally a hole in a river or lakeside bank or in a tree root. Do Unto Otters Preschool Pack - Simply Learning Here is a free printable pack that I designed to go along with the book Do Unto Otters. As the Asian short-clawed otter is the least aquatic species of otter, I love coming in some mornings and seeing them swimming in their provided pool and playing with each other.”. The body is dense, cylindrical, oblong, and the paws are short and strong. From the wild north coast to the sandy heaths of Breckland, the Norfolk Broads to ancient woodlands, Norfolk’s diverse habitats are home to a stunning variety of wildlife. Pet otters eat a lot. Quiet back waters of the Norfolk broads, reed-fringed freshwater dykes and many of Norfolk’s rivers including the Wensum, Bure, Yare and Nar provide just these conditions. Otters are now very common along the coast of Norway and in Northern Britain, especially Shetland where 12% of the UK breeding population exist. It depends on the species and whether they live in the wild or not. However, otters differ from similar species like beavers, muskrats, and nutria that feed on plants. Otters living in zoos and aquariums are likely to live far past their average life span to almost double or triple years. An otters diet mainly consists of fish, however, it can also include birds, insects, frogs, crustaceans and small mammals. They catch prey with their teeth. The otter’s droppings are known as spraint and otters use them to mark their territories. In the wild, most species of otter feed on fish and crustaceans, with river otters feeding on prey like freshwater fish, mussels, crabs, crayfish and frogs, and saltwater otters eating marine prey such as shellfish, sea urchins and shrimp. Their diet consists of roughly 80% fish, but they will prey upon birds, mammals and frogs if fish are in short supply. Shetland Otters. Cubs are usually born in a holt in a bank, or between rocks or tree roots. To stay warm in the water for so long, otters have incredibly thick fur, and very fast metabolisms, which means they need to eat a lot – 20% of their body weight per day, during certain months. Otters have their cubs in underground burrows, known as 'holts'. The otter diet consists mainly of fish and crawfish, but they also consume toads, frogs, reptiles, and even small mammals. As much as I really shouldn’t anthropomorphise these wild animals, I’m afraid I do. Coastal otters in Shetland eat bottom-living species such as eelpout, rockling and butterfish. A large male may consume as much as 11 kg (25 lb.) Also the enemy is a man. Otters declined catastrophically throughout England in the late 1950s. Fish are relatively insignificant in their diets. The river otter food web plays a crucial role in the environments the river otter calls home. I have spent more time over the last two months in the company of wild otters than I have with other adult humans. The planning process has an important part to play in safeguarding the future of our wildlife and the environments they inhabit. How do I tell the difference between a mink and an otter? At Blue Reef Aquarium Portsmouth, we have Ralph and Selma, a pair of 14-year-old otters both born in the same litter within the enclosure they still live in! In the wild, most species of otter feed on fish and crustaceans, with river otters feeding on prey like freshwater fish, mussels, crabs, crayfish and frogs, and saltwater otters eating marine prey such as shellfish, sea urchins and shrimp. “They can expect high levels of cuteness from our otters, like when Ralph is juggling his pebbles or Selma does her scent-marking dance around the enclosure. Clawless otters, on the other hand, are nocturnal. Otters are carnivorous animals and fish make up 80% of their diet. However, when fish is scarce, they eat insects, frogs, birds and other mammals like rodents. Today, the species is flourishing across Scotland, and recovering well across the UK as waterways are cleaned up. Otters are largely solitary, semi-aquatic mammals that get most of their food from lochs, rivers or the sea. In the wild there are 13 different species of otter, and they’re found on all continents except Australia and Antarctica. Why Otter Population in the UK Dropped Otters may also occasionally prey on birds, rabbits, and rodents. Cley Calling Presents: Megan McCubbin And Chris Packham, Walking on the Edge of Norfolk - CANCELLED, NWT receives grant of £166,600 from the government’s Green Recovery Challenge Fund, Killer shrimp discovered in Trinity Broads, Remembering Richard Waddingham – farmer and pond conservationist. The exception is the sea otter, which gives birth to its young in the water and keeps its pups on the mother’s underbelly until they are old enough to swim themselves. 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