Otter Handpuppet 25cm

Physical Characteristics
Otters are semi-aquatic fish-eating mammals. Otters have long, slim bodies and relatively short limbs, with webbed paws. Most have sharp claws on their feet, and all except the sea otter have long muscular tails. They have a very soft underfur which is protected by their outer layer of long guard hair. This traps a layer of air, and keeps them dry and warm under water.

Habitat
With thirteen species, otters have an almost worldwide distribution. Most species live beside water, entering it mainly to hunt or travel, otherwise spending much of their time on land to avoid their fur becoming waterlogged. The sea otter does live in the sea for most of its life.

Behaviour
Otters are very active, chasing prey in the water or searching the beds of rivers, lakes or the seas. Otters are also playful animals. For example, they are often seen sliding repeatedly down snowy slopes, apparently for sheer enjoyment.

Breeding
Sea otters mate at all times of the year, and young may be born in any season. However, in Alaska most pups are born in late spring. Like other marine mammals, they have only one pup during each breeding cycle. A pup weighs 3 to 5 pounds at birth and is light brown in colour. The female's maternal instinct is very strong and she seldom leaves her pup except when diving for food. When traveling, sleeping, or preening, the pup usually rides its mother's chest as she floats on her back.

Diet
For most otters, fish is the primary staple of their diet. This is often supplemented by frogs, crayfish and crabs. Some otters are expert at opening shellfish, and others will feed on available small mammals or birds. Many otters live in cold waters and have very high metabolic rates to help keep them warm. Eurasian otters must eat 15% of their body-weight a day, and sea otters 20 to 25%, depending on the temperature. In water as warm as 10degrees C an otter needs to catch 100 grams (3 oz) of fish per hour to survive. Most species hunt for 3 to 5 hours a day, and nursing mother Otters with babies up to 8 hours a day.

Strange and Interesting Facts
Sea otters are one of the rare mammals who use tools. They use stones to crack open the shellfish they eat, rolling onto their backs and smashing the shells on the flat stones balanced on their tummy. Pub Quiz knowledge: Otter poo is called a Spraint!!