The Lutrinae subfamily
Otters are all semiaquatic, aquatic, or marine carnivorous mammals, with diets based on fish and invertebrates. The otter species are found on every continent except Australia and Antarctica.
Otters are all semiaquatic, aquatic, or marine carnivorous mammals, with diets based on fish and invertebrates. The otter species are found on every continent except Australia and Antarctica.
Otters have long, slim bodies and relatively short limbs. Their most striking anatomical features are the powerful webbed feet used to swim and their seal-like abilities to hold breath underwater. The 13 species range in adult size from 0.6 to 1.8 m in length and 1 to 45 kg in weight.
For most otters, fish is the staple of their diet. This is often supplemented by frogs, crayfish, and crabs. Several otter species live in cold waters and have high metabolic rates to help keep them warm. Otters must eat up to 25% of their body weight each day, depending on the temperature.
Otters are playful animals and appear to engage in various behaviors for sheer enjoyment, such as making waterslides and then sliding on them into the water. They may also find and play with small stones. Different species vary in their social structure, with some being largely solitary, while others live in groups.
Otters have particularly stinky poop, which even has its own name: spraints. When it’s time to nap, otters sometimes intertwine their feet with another sea otter, so that they stay together.
Find more information on Wikipedia and National Geographic!
Coded by Ieva B
August, 2021