The average otter is 1–1.3 metres in length, and weighs up to 9kg. Their diet consists of roughly 80% fish, but will eat birds, mammals and frogs if fish are in short supply.
Their gestation period is 9 weeks and they can breed at any time of the year. They have 2 or 3 cubs weighing no more than 40g; these are not born natural swimmers, and very often adults will force their young into the water for their first swimming lesson. Youngsters will open their eyes within 5 weeks. Despite being strong swimmers, otters are unable to hold their breath underwater for long periods and usually dive for no more than 30 seconds at a time.
Otters have an acute sense of smell, hearing and eyesight. Its eyes are placed at the top of the head, so it can remain alert whilst the rest of the body is underwater. They communicate via whistles, twittering noises and spitting sounds, which can be heard at night when it is quiet and still. They live in holes in river banks called holts; a holt will have a few different entrances to protect against flooding, with at least one entrance being above water level. Cubs will stay with and remain dependent upon their parents for over a year. They will start to leave at 14 to 15 months old, and begin breeding at between 17 and 20 months old.
Many thanks to the UK Wild Otter Trust for interesting facts. http://www.ukwildottertrust.org/the-otters/
A lot of people feel they are connected to the Otter, and as they can't have one as a pet or familiar I paint one for their wall, which is the next best thing😊
Kind regards
Chris x
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