Fighting otters
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The shy, elusive Otter is generally nocturnal and seldom seen. It has medium to dark brown dense fur with a paler belly and cream patch under the chin.
Male Otters (dogs) average 1.2 metres in length from nose to tail and can weigh up to 10kgs. Female otters (bitches) tend to be smaller.
WHERE TO FIND OTTERS?
Use the search function on this website to find some of the best places to find otters in the UK.
Otters favour all wetlands from rivers, lakes, streams, ditches and dykes to marshes, reedbeds, estuaries and coastland. Individuals have large home ranges which may contain up to 30 lying-up places or holts in the form of
natural hollows in tree roots or amongst dense vegetation.
Up to 40km of river bank may be used as a home range for feeding, resting and breeding. Where food is abundant, for example on the West coast of Scotland, ranges are much smaller.
DIET
Fish and particularly eels form the major prey species. Small mammals, amphibians and crustaceans are also commonly eaten. An adult Otter requires about 1kg of food a day.
BREEDING
Otters can breed at any time of the year. Between 1 and 4 cubs are produced and they remain with the mother for one year. Only the most secure, undisturbed and inaccessible lying-up site will be used as a breeding den (holt).
The large home range and solitary nature of an Otter mean that a healthy river can support a few individuals and not affect local fisheries. Otters may be beneficial to natural fisheries by taking weaker fish and the more easily
caught eels.
ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS
Otters are fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Schedule 5. It is an offence to kill, injure or knowingly disturb an Otter, damage or obstruct an Otter holt.
Male Otters (dogs) average 1.2 metres in length from nose to tail and can weigh up to 10kgs. Female otters (bitches) tend to be smaller.
WHERE TO FIND OTTERS?
Use the search function on this website to find some of the best places to find otters in the UK.
Otters favour all wetlands from rivers, lakes, streams, ditches and dykes to marshes, reedbeds, estuaries and coastland. Individuals have large home ranges which may contain up to 30 lying-up places or holts in the form of
natural hollows in tree roots or amongst dense vegetation.
Up to 40km of river bank may be used as a home range for feeding, resting and breeding. Where food is abundant, for example on the West coast of Scotland, ranges are much smaller.
DIET
Fish and particularly eels form the major prey species. Small mammals, amphibians and crustaceans are also commonly eaten. An adult Otter requires about 1kg of food a day.
BREEDING
Otters can breed at any time of the year. Between 1 and 4 cubs are produced and they remain with the mother for one year. Only the most secure, undisturbed and inaccessible lying-up site will be used as a breeding den (holt).
The large home range and solitary nature of an Otter mean that a healthy river can support a few individuals and not affect local fisheries. Otters may be beneficial to natural fisheries by taking weaker fish and the more easily
caught eels.
ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS
Otters are fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Schedule 5. It is an offence to kill, injure or knowingly disturb an Otter, damage or obstruct an Otter holt.
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