The otter is an aquatic animal.
The otter is a mammal that is part of the mustelid family. With a solid and elongated body, it has a waterproof and dense coat that functions as thermal insulation.
Otters, which live on the banks of streams, lakes and rivers, have a membrane that joins their toes, allowing them to swim with great dexterity. Depending on the species, it can feed on fish, eels, clams, crabs or frogs, among other aquatic creatures.
Otter characteristics
Being part of the mustelid family group, otters are carnivorous animals with a flattened head and sharp teeth; anal glands that emanate a pungent odor; and short legs.
Their nostrils can close when under water . Otters are able to tolerate up to about 4 minutes without having to rise to the surface to breathe and can swim at more than 10 kilometers per hour, moving their tail and hind legs up and down to move quickly.
Otter mating occurs at any time of the year; However, there are more births in spring than in other seasons. The babies, at birth, lack teeth and cannot see. Breastfeeding lasts 2 months but separation from the mother only occurs when the child is 1 year old.
It is interesting to mention that otters have the ability to use tools . To eat mussels, they take a stone from the seabed, then place it on their chest and begin to hit the mussel shell on it until it opens or breaks.
Another interesting fact is that, in the wild, otters live approximately 8 to 12 years. Their life expectancy, however, increases in captivity .
Otter pups stay with their mother for about a year.
Different species
Beyond the common characteristics, there are numerous species of otters that belong to seven different genera.
The Lontra genus is the most numerous since the North American river otter or common otter ( Lontra canadensis ) belongs to it; the neotropical otter , northwestern otter or river otter ( Lontra longicaudis ); the river otter or huillín ( Lontra provocax ); and the chungungo ( Lontra felina ).
In the genus Lutra , the European otter ( Lutra lutra ) and the Sumatran otter ( Lutra sumatrana ) appear. Two species are also recognized in the genus Aonyx : the dwarf otter ( Aonyx cinereus ) and the white-cheeked otter or clawless otter ( Aonyx capensis ).
The giant otter ( Pteronura brasiliensis ) of the genus Pteronura ; the smooth otter ( Lutrogale perspicillata ) of the genus Lutrogale ; the spotted-necked otter ( Hydrictis maculicollis ) of the genus Hydrictis ; and the sea otter ( Enhydra lutris ) of the genus Enhydra are other otter species.
There are zoos with otters in different countries.
The giant otter
The giant otter stands out for its large size, as its name indicates. Its body can reach a length of 1.80 meters, with a weight of more than 40 kilograms.
These animals, which live mainly in the Amazon region, form groups of up to eight members, with a dominant and reproductive pair as the leader.
A peculiarity of the giant otter is its sound . The vocalizations of these animals are complex and loud and they use them with various intentions.
Due to otter hunting - very common decades ago - and the destruction of its habitat, this species is in danger of extinction . It should be noted, however, that there are specimens living in protected areas such as the Alto Purús National Park in Peru , where there is an otter reserve.
The skin
Otter skin is thin and soft, but at the same time resistant. It allows the animal to swim in cold water, provides protection against low temperatures and helps it move through the aquatic environment.
To reinforce its thermal properties, the skin is covered by a fat that gives it an oily texture. This fat is produced by glands located in the skin itself.
Thanks to its qualities, it is a skin highly valued by humans. Coats and hats are made with it, especially in countries with cold climates.
It should be noted that, with the aim of protecting these species and in keeping with animal awareness, the commercialization of these skins is prohibited in various regions.
The nutria, a rodent otter
It is important to keep in mind that, in South America , an animal that does not belong to the aforementioned family of otters is known as an otter since it is not a mustelid. Myocastor coypus is the scientific name of this species, which is also referred to as coypus .
The coypu or otter is a rodent that resembles the beaver . Its skin is also valued and used in fur; Likewise, this mammal is hunted for its meat, which is consumed in several regions.
It should not be overlooked that there is no taxonomic relationship between the mustelid and this rodent. The nutria, in fact, is herbivorous : it feeds on the tubers, roots and grains of aquatic plants.