They are solitary animals unless in a mating pair or a mothers with her young. The beaver’s broader rodent muzzle is less pointed than the otter’s carnivore muzzle. 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Those living on the coast are susceptible to oil spills. Due to having large lungs and being able to slow down their heartbeat, otters can stay underwater for as long as four minutes. It lives on the European, Asian, and African continents, and is native to around 81 different countries. They stay with her for a little over a year. These otters are vocal, having basic calls of greeting, alarm and mating, and up to 12 further calls. They will spend several hours nightly foraging in water. A Eurasian otter can hold its breath for twice that long, quite easily! Log in here for access. Log in or sign up to add this lesson to a Custom Course. This has steadied and the decline is not as drastic as it was over the last 23 years. 3 Habitat char acteristic s of Eurasian otter sit es in Central Polan d. Result of the permut ation tests com paring habita t features of prese nce and. Eurasian otter numbers began declining in the 1950s until the species became almost extinct in England and Wales, although a small population survived in Scotland. It has many sensitive whiskers around its snout; these help to locate prey. They also like crystal clear waters with stony bottoms. Did you know… We have over 220 college Anyone can earn in Mammals. They spend a lot of time foraging, and will usually eat more than two pounds of food every day. They demonstrate a high climatic and trophic adaptability, occurring from tropical coastal wetlands up to mountain streams. General Information. Eurasian otters split their time between land and water, building nests on land, but doing most of their foraging in the water. Though most live in freshwater rivers, lakes, and wetlands, the sea otter and the smaller marine otter are found in the Pacific Ocean. ... Habitat. Location: One of the widest distributions of a UK mammal species, the Eurasian Otter is found throughout Europe, eastern Russia and China, south and south east Asia and north Africa. Such behavior is seen as helping young otters improve their hunting techniques. Dry resting sites and covered dens are found in tree roots, earth tunnels, boulder piles, banks and shrubs. We address the process of otter recolonization and habitat utilization in Central Poland over 14 years. Being carnivores, they eat fish, crabs, molluscs and snails. Along the high-rainfall coasts of Prince William Sound the North American river otter uses many large dens close to the shore (Bowyer etal. They build their nests on land, sometimes by digging tunnels, and sometimes by using existing shelters such as tree roots, caves, and vegetation. This species prefers areas where there is a lot of plant life along the shore or river bank. In captivity they can live to be 22 years old. Otter habitat, home and diet Spotted sliding down banks on their bellies before elegantly gliding into water, or wrestling with siblings, the playful and … Remonti L, Prigioni C, Balestrieri A, Sgrosso S, Priore G. 2008. Particularly important otter habitats are the coasts and islands of … They can make short, shrill whistles, whimpers, yelps and high-pitched screaming when distressed. imaginable degree, area of They live near streams, rivers, lakes, swamps, and along coastlines, depending on the country. for females. Services. Other otter species often use habitats along sea shores that are rather similar to those of the Eurasian. The Eurasian otter was known to inhabit rivers there long before the disaster and was consistently recorded thereafter but no species-focused survey was attempted. Home ranges vary in size with species, location, and resource distribution, and are generally larger for males Straight line lengths for Eurasian otter home ranges in Sweden average about 15 km (9.3 mi.) Although the mating system in European otters has not been well studied, they are thought to be either polygynous (one male mates with multiple females) or polygynandrous (promiscuous) (both males and females have multiple mates), as both males and females associate with each other only during mating. They inhabit rivers, lakes, streams, freshwater and peat swamp forests, ricefields, ocean shores, fjords, caves, and terrestrial habitats adjacent to waterways. How Do I Use Study.com's Assign Lesson Feature? Along the high-rainfall coasts of Prince William Sound the North American river otter uses many large dens close to the shore Three key factors influenced habitat suitability: riparian vegetation tree cover, forestland use (either natural or planted) within 100 m several factors have been suggested to explain The increase in Eurasian otter Lutra lutra populations in their natural range and recolonization processes are recently observed in several European countries. According to the IUCN Red List, the overall estimate of the population in the United Kingdom was around 10,395 individuals in 2004. (MacDonald, 1984) Biogeographic Regions; palearctic. And search more of iStock's library of royalty-free stock images that features Agricultural Field photos available for quick and easy download. Its streamlined shape and webbed feet make it an agile swimmer. 2008), this animal is still considered a critically endangered species in italy (B u l g a r i n i et al. the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra L.) is a semi-aquatic carnivore that underwent a strong decline in Europe between the 1960s and the 1980s (M a s o n & M a c d o n a l d 1986, M a s o n 1989, M a c d o n a l d & M a s o n 1994). 1998). They are carnivores. The Asian short-clawed otter can be found in freshwater wetlands and mangrove swamps, in southern India to southern China and the Malay Peninsula. The increase in Eurasian otter Lutra lutra populations in their natural range and recolonization processes are recently observed in several European countries. This Habitat This otter is extremely susceptible to human destruction of its territory although there are signs of increased otter activity closer to towns etc. The Eurasian otter is the most widely distributed otter species, its range including parts of Asia and Africa, as well as being spread across Europe, south to Palestine. Despite being such a lovable carnivore, the Eurasian Otter is classified as “Near Threatened” by the IUCN due to a declining population over the last 40 years. 1995), often under stands of old-growth forest including tall hemlocks (Tsuga heterophylla). It creates wetlands, which provide habitat for European water vole, Eurasian otter and Eurasian water shrew. Lauren has taught intermediate reading in an English Language Institute, and she has her Master's degree in Linguistics. The Eurasian river otter is a member of the weasel family with a long lithe body, short legs and a thick tail. Otters are known to be playful creatures, and the Eurasian otter is no exception. for males and about 7 km (4.3 mi.) Hairy-Nosed Otter: Habitat, Breeding & Population, Over 83,000 lessons in all major subjects, {{courseNav.course.mDynamicIntFields.lessonCount}}, Spotted-Necked Otter: Habitat, Diet, Lifespan & Facts, Smooth-Coated Otter: Habitat, Adaptations & Facts, North American River Otter: Habitat, Diet, Predators & Facts, Southern River Otter: Habitat, Population & Adaptations, African Clawless Otter: Habitat, Population & Lifespan, Asian Small-Clawed Otter: Habitat, Breeding & Adaptations, European Mink: Facts, Habitat, Adaptations & Population, What is a Mongoose? The Eurasian otter is the nearly widely distributed otter species, its range including parts of Asia and Africa, as well as being spread across Europe, south to Switzerland, they are now very common in Latvia, along the coast of Norway, in the western regions of Spain and Portugal and across Great Britain, particularly Shetland, where 12% of the UK breeding population exists. To learn more, visit our Earning Credit Page. European status and distribution. 's' : ''}}. It was listed this way because of a population decline, but with current conservation efforts, the population in many c… A male's range often overlaps that of one or more females. Create your account, Already registered? Geographic Range. Download this Eurasian Otter Lutra Lutra Water Animal In The Nature Habitat photo now. That of the female is smaller, occupying about 7 km. 2008 , 2014 ). The diet of both species has been studied for decades, hence there is a considerable volume of information, especially from inland waters ( Baron et al. Bail Bond Agent: Education, Licensure & Salary, Become a Curriculum Writer: Education and Career Roadmap, Selling Back Textbooks Is Not a Yes or No Decision, 10 Ways Your School Can Be Useful During the Summer, Dartmouths with Coco Conan OBrien Is the Dartmouth Commencement Speaker, Orders Eulipotyphia, Chiroptera & Didelphimorphia, Eurasian Otter: Habitat, Diet, Lifespan & Facts, Order Primates: Lorises, Galagos, & Tarsiers, TECEP Science of Nutrition: Study Guide & Test Prep, NMTA Middle Grades General Science (204): Practice & Study Guide, GACE Health Education (613): Practice & Study Guide, TCAP HS EOC - Chemistry: Test Prep & Practice, Washington EOC - Biology Grade 10: Test Prep & Practice, MTEL General Science (10): Practice & Study Guide, What is a Gem? They can be distinguished from other Mustelids by their long slender bodies, short legs and long thick tail which tapers off to a point. Field surveys in 1998 and 2007 documented increase in occurrence of the species. Eurasian otter - Lutra lutra (Linnaeus, 1758) Images from the web. Habitat. Otters are found on every single continent in the world except for Australia and Antarctica. Given its wide range, it is not surprising that this species is only listed as near threatened, which is one of the lower concern ratings for endangered species. 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Get the unbiased info you need to find the right school. - Anatomy, Family & Diet, Baikal Seal: Habitat, Adaptations, Predators & Facts, Ringed Seal: Habitat, Population & Adaptations, Signs, Symptoms & Causes of Bloat in Dogs, Biological and Biomedical The Eurasian otter is the near widely distributed otter species, its range including parts of Asia and Africa, as well as being spread across Europe, south to Switzerland, they are now very common in Latvia, along the glide of Norway, in the western regions of Spain and Portugal and across Great Britain, particularly Shetland, where 12% of the UK breeding population exists. Eurasian otter populations are now recovering in … They will stay with her for a little over a year, and they can mate and have babies of their own after they are two to three years old. They enjoy the freshwater but they are also known to live in the saltwater of the oceans as well. Habitat correlates of the Eurasian otter Lutra lutra recolonizing Central Poland April 2013 Acta Theriologica 58(2):149-155 DOI: 10.1007/s13364 … Ireland's otters are geographically widespread and believed to be the most s… Otters are playful, and they use play to learn good hunting skills. Assessment consider the Eurasian otter as near threatened (reuther & Hilton ta y l o r 2004, te m p l e & te r r y 2007, 2009, ruiz-olmo et al. credit by exam that is accepted by over 1,500 colleges and universities. Eurasian otter. You can test out of the It was listed this way because of a population decline, but with current conservation efforts, the population in many countries seems to be recovering. Lutra lutra inhabits most of Eurasia south of the tundra line and North Africa. 21A 2004 SURVEY AND HABITAT EVALUATION FOR A PERIPHERAL POPULATION OF THE EURASIAN OTTER IN ITALY ANNA LOY, Dipartimento Scienze e Tecnologie per l’Ambiente e il We'll look at its habitat, diet, and lifespan, as well as some interesting facts. Yet, studies show the high plasticity of otter foraging behaviour and the varying importance of alternative food types in … Basically, it means this species could become threatened in the future. flashcard set{{course.flashcardSetCoun > 1 ? Eurasian otter - Lutra lutra (Linnaeus, 1758) Images from the web Quick facts Threat status Europe ... and it has a sufficient large habitat. This species mostly lives alone, except when a mother has cubs. Otter Habitat and Distribution Otters are found on every single continent in the world except for Australia and Antarctica. Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) is a species belonging to the Weasel family and is known as an indicator of ecological health of rivers, as they prefer aquatic environments rich in cover and food resources such as stable shelters and homes that are not affected by … Reports now state that otters inhabit every county in the UK – great news for the otter! The pups are 99 to 122gm when born, their eyes open at one month and after two months they start to leave the nest. It is an elusive animal which has sleek brown fur, often paler on its underside, covering its long lithe body, thick tail and little legs. In addition to being fun, this teaches young otters good hunting skills. Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) in natural habitat - Buy this stock photo and explore similar images at Adobe Stock They live near water, including streams, swamps, lakes, and the ocean. Their territory can be as big as 25 miles wide but is usually about 11 miles. Currently it has a rather discontinuous distribution with strong populations in Greece, Spain, Portugal and much of eastern Europe. | {{course.flashcardSetCount}} The aquatic habitat of otters is very vulnerable in the face of change. Field surveys in 1998 and 2007 documented increase in occurrence of the species. She gives birth to two or three cubs at a time, after a gestation period of two months. Following a gestation period (the time the mother carries the babies before giving birth) of about two months, a female Eurasian otter usually has two or three cubs. Since they swim so much, and get much of their food from the water, holding their breath for a long time comes in handy. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. They will also forage on land occasionally, eating birds, eggs, insects, and even small mammals. European otters live throughout Europe, North Africa and Asia, inhabiting streams, rivers, lakes, freshwater and peat swamp forests, ocean shores, rice fields, fjords, caves, and other terrestrial habitats close by waterways. They eat a lot of fish and crabs, and sometimes other shellfish. Reports now state that otters inhabit every county in the UK – great news for the otter! In most of its range it is nocturnal except in the Shetlands where it is diurnal. The otter is believed to be extinct in Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. Written by Jeniffer Coates. Habitat correlates of the Eurasian otter Lutra lutra recolonizing Central Poland Jerzy Romanowski , Marcin Brzeziński , and Michał Żmihorski Centre for Ecological Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Dziekanów Leśny ul. Eurasian otter (lutra lutra) in natural habitat - download this royalty free Stock Photo in seconds. Visit the Kingdom Animalia: Study Guide & Review page to learn more. They are nocturnal, so most foraging is done at night. They enjoy the freshwater but they are also known to live in the saltwater of the oceans as well. We address the process of otter recolonization and habitat utilization in Central Poland over 14 years. The only native UK otter species, the Eurasian otter is a European protected species and is also protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. In this lesson you'll learn about one of the most widespread otter species: the Eurasian otter. European otters have their most active time at dusk and at night. Although widespread in distribution, there is almost no data on populations outside Europe so the situation in the vast part of their range is unknown. Key Information: This is the smallest of the world’s otters, about 0.9 m long, weighing around 5 kg. Fig. It is a European branch of the weasel or Mustelidae family. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) are semiaquatic, which means they split their time between land and water. The Eurasian otter is a solitary animal with the female rearing the cubs on her own. The IUCN status has been described as precautionary. Sociology 110: Cultural Studies & Diversity in the U.S. CPA Subtest IV - Regulation (REG): Study Guide & Practice, Properties & Trends in The Periodic Table, Solutions, Solubility & Colligative Properties, Electrochemistry, Redox Reactions & The Activity Series, Distance Learning Considerations for English Language Learner (ELL) Students, Roles & Responsibilities of Teachers in Distance Learning. study The Eurasian otter always lives near water, but the type of water body varies. The male’s territory can cover about 15 km of river, crossing it every 3 or 4 nights. Excellent and lithe swimmers, the young are in the water by 10 weeks of age. In addition, they use vocal and scent communication. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. The Eurasian beaver is a keystone species, as it helps to support the ecosystem which it inhabits. By the 1970s, otters were restricted mainly to Scotland, especially the islands and the north-west coast, western Wales, parts of East Anglia and the West Country (though they remained common and widespread also in Ireland). In South Korea, Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) habitat has increased since the 1990 s because of legal protection, forest development, and increased public awareness. Otters are semi-aquatic animals eating fish, frogs, crabs, small birds and mammals. Other threats included habitat loss and hunting, both legal and illegal. According to the scientific resources, the total population size of European otters in Belarus is around 12, 000 individuals and in Sweden - 500-1000 individuals. Abstract. Currently this species is classified as Near Threatened (NT) and its numbers today are decreasing. first two years of college and save thousands off your degree. They are very vocal, and have up to 15 different calls to stake out territory, warn others that a predator is near, or otherwise communicate. They may even prey on insects, snakes, lizards and some small species of rodent. No membership needed. The Eurasian Otter has an acute sense of sight, smell and hearing. In some areas, a female Alaska se… Habitat: Small-clawed otters prefer shallow water, with a good food supply, and moderate to low bankside vegetation. Established in 1964, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has evolved to become the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global conservation status of animal, fungi and plant species. Otter Habitat and Distribution. How long can you hold your breath? They have around 15 different calls, and use scent markings to stake out territory, among other things. They also eat crustaceans, frogs and even small water birds. Not sure what college you want to attend yet? They live in burrow in most waterways and coastal Diet For the most part Eurasian otters live alone, except when a mother has young babies. native; Habitat. They will breed any time during the year, most likely determined by the individual’s physiological state and reproductive maturity. Because otters eat mainly fish, you’ll generally find them in areas where there are plenty of this food source. - Formation, Origin & Formula, Soil Contamination: Treatment, Phytoremediation & Bioremediation, Soil Contamination: Definition, Sources & Prevention, Quiz & Worksheet - Textual & Non-Textual Scientific Presentations, What is a Constant in Science? Create an account to start this course today. Eastern populations of the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) have declined throughout Asia.Although the South Korean government designated the Eurasian otter as an Endangered Species and Natural Monument, limited information exists on the distribution and habitat of this top predator in riparian ecosystems at this terminus of its distribution. In 2018 the first otter survey within the exclusion zone was carried out looking for spraints and other signs of otter presence. Although the Korean population of Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) was designated as an endangered species, habitat and basic ecology of Korean otters have been rarely known.To ascertain sprainting behavior of the Eurasian otter in the freshwater habitat and investigate the habitat preferences, otter surveys along the Ungok River in Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, were conducted for a 12 … The elusive otter is one of our top predators, feeding mainly on fish (particularly eels and salmonids), waterbirds, amphibians and crustaceans. Group Bull. 2001 , Melero et al. As is the case with many species, Eurasian otters tend to live longer in captivity than in the wild. As you might expect, given their semiaquatic lifestyle, much of the diet of a Eurasian otter comes from the water. ). Scat surveys have become the method of choice to monitor species distribution range, abundance and habitat use. 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( lutra lutra ) are an extremely widespread semiaquatic mammal and use scent to! Down snowdrifts or mud banks on their bellies out looking for spraints and signs... Many sensitive whiskers around its snout ; these help to locate prey choice to monitor species distribution range abundance... Member of the otter animals eating fish, crabs, molluscs and snails of greeting, alarm and mating and! Lives, they might live to be playful creatures, and even small mammals a species! Large dens close to the shore ( Bowyer etal to learn more, visit our Earning Credit Page most determined...