Where does the Eurasian otter live?
The Eurasian otter lives in Eurasia and the Maghreb. It is the most widely distributed otter: it is found in the waterways and on the coasts of Europe, much of Asia and parts of North Africa. It lives in unpolluted bodies of fresh water such as lakes, streams, rivers, canals and ponds, as long as the food supply is adequate. It is thought to be extinct in Liechtenstein and Switzerland, but is common in Latvia, along the coast of Norway, in the western regions of Spain and Portugal, and across Great Britain and Ireland.
What does the Eurasian otter eat?
The Eurasian otter eats mainly fish, and is strongly territorial. It is a semiaquatic mammal with brown fur on its back and cream-coloured fur on its belly, a long, slender body, well equipped for life in the water. Its bones are denser, which reduces buoyancy. It differs from the North American river otter by its shorter neck, broader face and longer tail. It is 57 to 95 cm long, not counting a tail of 35 to 45 cm.
Is the Eurasian otter endangered?
The IUCN lists it as Near Threatened. It is endangered in some parts of its range, but recovering in others. It typically weighs 7 to 12 kg, and a large old male may reach 17 kg.
