Lutra lutra (River Otter)
In the brightness of morning, an otter can be seen twirling between the lough’s surface and the depths of the water’s edge. It rises to the surface to breath the morning air and roll onto its back, then dives beneath (for up to four minutes!) to hunt for fish.
These playful creatures seem naturally designed for romping around in shallower waters with sleek, slender bodies that roll and turn quickly through different dynamic water features. They are extremely strong swimmers, with large lung capacities and the ability to reduce oxygen demands via slowing down their heart rate. Unlike their Pacific Ocean counterpart, the sea otter, river otters do not like to spend much time on their backs, but instead tumble over into the water to either make a second attempt at prey or move back towards their holt with their catch. While frolicking in the water with others, they will often make a loud chirping noise, while hunting calls for a flute-like whistle.
Even though the otter has such a great talent at swimming, it actually is a very terrestrial animal, taking all its prey ashore to eat and share with cubs. Females choose rocky nooks or root holds to build a holt with an underground entrance. This is where they rear their two to three cubs, which are taught to swim 12 weeks after birth. Males’ inclinations are territorial, and often will have two or more partner females within their territory, which they mark with dark, fishy droppings.
Even though the otter has such a great talent at swimming, it actually is a very terrestrial animal, taking all its prey ashore to eat and share with cubs. Females choose rocky nooks or root holds to build a holt with an underground entrance. This is where they rear their two to three cubs, which are taught to swim 12 weeks after birth. Males’ inclinations are territorial, and often will have two or more partner females within their territory, which they mark with dark, fishy droppings.
River otters will inhabit coasts, rivers and lakes, but prefer calmer water with vegetation or landscape cover. In the British Isles, otters are very rare, and usually found in Scotland. For example: in the twelve years Dr. Trowbridge has worked at Lough Hyne, she has only witnessed an otter twice; once was the sighting just yesterday morning. The otter is protected in the British Isles, but pollution, road casualties, and habitat loss continue to diminish populations.