Complain about this comment (Comment number 15). Complain about this comment (Comment number 35). While visiting Bodenham Lake (SO525515 28/02/10), my sister and I were treated to a mother and her two cubs walking/ swimming past the hide.It was about 10.30am and they had been annoying the ducks while skirting the edge of the lake, it felt like such a privilege to see them so close to the hide. Please note: You must be 16 or over to comment on this blog. Due to persecution, habitat loss and pesticides, their numbers declined so drastically that by the 1950s otters were missing from much of England. Even more amazing is that the best place to see them is right next to a busy DIY store and an area used by cyclists and walkers. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. They have a thick padding of fat in the cheek area to prevent serious injury from any of their prey animals. Otters occupy large home ranges – up to 40km along a river for a male otter but less than half that for a female. Otters are active hunters, chasing prey in the water or searching the beds of rivers, lakes or the seas. Otter babies are called pups. The playful North American river otter is equally at home in the water and on land. They utilise a wide variety of habitats The camera, positioned on the banks of the brook that leads into the River Trent, has recently captured numerous images of otter activity. What a moment! This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. (41 kilograms).The smallest otter is the Asian small-clawed otter, which grows up to 2.9 fee… Keep an eye out around reedbeds too, where they often hunt. They sometimes eat fruit, but avoid carrion. Giant otters are strictly diurnal. Yarmouth on May 31st,10, and a female otter on the M11 in Cambridgeshire in May. Portrack Marsh (Tees Valley Wildlife Trust) Take an early morning walk along the river Tees towards … Complain about this comment (Comment number 30). They may migrate as a result of food shortages or environmental conditions, but they do not migrate annually. Meet and greet our friendly otters and feeding experience. Pups stay with their mothers for the first 8 months of life. I've seen otters in the River Teifi at Cardigan Town bridge and further up river in the Teifi Marshes Wildlife Centre 8 times over the last year. ukactive provides services and facilitates partnerships for a broad range of organisations, all of which support our vision and have a role to play in achieving that goal. Complain about this comment (Comment number 35). Has any body else seen otters in this area, as we did not think you could get otters in our area.can any comfirm if sightings, Complain about this comment (Comment number 29). at times about 100 ft away .mere so in the middle of the pool, Complain about this comment (Comment number 10). Mothers will continue to float on their backs, nurse their young and teach them to swim and hunt. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Aconite. One was at night 20+ years ago on the river Severn at Cound Lodge but the other two were in bright sunlight and were within 15 metres and were around for over 10 minutes (they were on the opposite bank). An otter lives about 10 years. The otter took 4 mallard ducklings of approx 2 weeks in age.The remaining 4 mallard ducklings are still present and we wish to know if the otter is likely to return for a second helping? This also helps them to conserve energy. This is the original and best "Otter Experience" that visitors have been ejoying for over 15 years. Winnall Moors 6: NEVER BAIT AREAS OR OTTERS. Otters have their cubs in underground burrows, known as 'holts'. Meet the Otters: 12:00pm – 12:30pm. It seems the otter is getting bolder. Otter droppings, or spraints, are often used to mark territory – look for them along the river bank or on rocks. Complain about this comment (Comment number 5). Otters do not have a fixed breeding season, but most births occur in winter or spring. Mink are, (unfortunately), very widespread along the Calder and Ryburn valleys, despite intensive efforts to remove them. Newborns are only about 12cm long but grow quickly and can swim at three months. North American river otters are likely the most numerous of the otter species. Sea otters are unique in the otter family as the only species to give birth in the water. North American river otters, also called Canadian otters, have long, muscular, streamlined bodies with short legs and fully webbed feet bearing non-retractable claws. 13th Oct: about 10am we watched a pair of otters swim and play before coming ashore on seaweed and rocks for a few minutes to eat what looked like a crab. But habitat loss and hunting have brought many populations of other otter species crashing down around the world, especially in more tropical locations. I haven't seen an otter in daylight, but yesterday (Weds 2nd June) at 4.30pm my friend & I saw a MOLE crossing the A259 between Chichester & Bognor Regis (West Sussex). Otters are slow to reproduce and most mothers only bear two sets of cubs in their lifetime. Sea otters are generally diurnal. We regularly saw otters in the daytime, once a pair playing chase in the river, one memorable day when we had a party and a young otter entertained everyone for about 5 minutes by wandering back and forth on the opposite bank, and many times when we were crushing apples for the annual cider-making they were around and in clear sight. Scotland is the best place in the UK to see them and particularly on the coast, where they are generally more active during the day. Together achieving more They use their retractable claws to quickly grab and kill their prey. I haven't seen them during the day yet this year, though others have, but I have seen them at night and often hear them calling to each other. We saw 4 otters on 14th January and 3 on 30th Jan this year, looked like a mother and her 2 cubs, on the River Avon near Bath. Daily activities focus on feeding and grooming, interspersed with rest periods. ukactive challenges indoor group exercise ban as more regions enter Tier 3 restrictions in England. But conservation efforts now mean that the otter is on the up. For the long-in-the-tooth otters, experts suggest juggling rocks could be a way to pass the time and keep their brains active, similar to humans doing puzzles to keep their minds engaged as they age. For the latest updates across BBC blogs, visit the Blogs homepage. They come in many sizes. There are many sightings of Otters reported throughout Calderdale, but most turn out to be mink. Most otter species come ashore to give birth in dens, which sometimes have been used by other animals such as beavers. Males weigh up to 90 lbs. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Otters love to sunbath during the day and they are very active at night. Fun Facts About Otter. Complain about this comment (Comment number 11). Remember when Chris and Kate saw a mother and cubs in broad daylight while filming Autumnwatch in Pembrokeshire? Read more. This was about midday. OTTERS FREQUENTLY SEEN AT HEAD OF L.SUNART-STRONTIAN - MOST RECENT ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON-WATCHED FOR 1/2 H GOT PICS FROM ABOUT 20 FT.- H. Complain about this comment (Comment number 3). Complain about this comment (Comment number 33). Complain about this comment (Comment number 28), Today {28 06 10), at aroud 5pm my girl friend and i saw an otter runnig along the river bank ( River wear)at durham towards chester-le- street. Otters also have an acute sense of smell! Our advice for spotting otters is to wrap up warm, pack a camping chair, a picnic, a flask of tea, your favourite book and settle down in one of these beautiful spots. Humans are the main predator of Otters due to hunting for their pelts. River otters, like all otters, are carnivorous. What about you eagled-eyed Springwatchers? These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Journal News. @ Pammi Re #33 - Sounds more like a Mink that you saw taking the Mallard Pammi. But it survived in Scotland’s cleanest bodies of water in the north and west. However, water pollution, uncontrolled trapping and severe habitat loss have reduced the number of river otters. Otters are highly adapted aquatic hunters, who are related to badger and pine marten, and are one of the most eagerly sought, yet elusive mammals in Scotland. Photo Courtesy of Tim Brown. 1 Ecology of the European Otter. Complain about this comment (Comment number 22), hi there a few months ago i was out looking for kingfishers to no joy when walking back up the side of the river i thought by thats a big fish but it was actually to otters one dissappeared and the other one i got a video and photos this was a place called wansford in east yorkshire, Complain about this comment (Comment number 23). An Otter can remain under water for up to 4 minutes. Complain about this comment (Comment number 36). Their charming features are unparalleled, from their expressions to their use of tools. Complain about this comment (Comment number 8), Hi On the river stourLNR Bournemouth Dorset we have been seeing and taking their pictures for awhile now.The usual time we see them is when the river is abit higher then normal and the time of day has been about mid-morning & mid-afternoon.There are some pictures on the Stour Valley Supporters website.Great show CU, Complain about this comment (Comment number 9), I have seen three otters at leighton moss n r in the lakes lots of times this year. Complain about this comment (Comment number 25), I live in Tintern and we have otters in the River Wye. They’re most active at dusk and dawn. The otter is lithe and slender with short legs, a strong neck, and a long flat tail that helps propel it gracefully through water. If you aren't sure what RSS is you'll find our beginner's guide to RSS useful. We have not seen them for a few weeks but saw them on about 4 occasions whilst walking on the river footpath. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. we have been seeing otters on the norfolk broads since 2002, all in daylight.winter and summer, most years we,ve seen in excess of 10 and some years 15. we tend to go later evening as it seems the best time for seeing them, however we have seen them in the middle of the day as well.TODAY, we have just seen flying over our house 6 CRANES. The otter is active mainly at dusk or after dark, and during the day rests in a burrow, known as a holt, that it makes in riverbanks or under the roots of a tree. Clawless otters are mainly nocturnal, though some individuals may be active during the day in remote areas that are free of human disturbance. But, contrary to popular opinion, otters aren't just nocturnal. 4th July 2010I have just seen an otter on the River Dore in Herefordshire in Abbeydore. In order to address this problem we need to produce more education material, particularly for young people. Despite seeing plenty of otters, to my despair the only BADGERS I've ever seen in the UK (moved back 12 years ago) have been dead on the side of the road :( And I think badgers are fabulous creatures! The Eurasian Otter is the only species of otter in the UK, occupying sea, rivers and lakes across the country. This distinction goes to the sea otter. Read more. Both days were around 9.00 - 9.30 in the morning. River otters are carnivores that hunt fish, crustaceans, frogs, salamanders, waterfowl and their eggs, aquatic insects, reptiles, mollusks, and small mammals. Helping Otters in the UK. They become much more nocturnal in the spring, summer, and fall seasons, and more diurnal during winter. I was delighted to see the otter but sad about the duck as it was an old friend who I fed frequently. The oldest recorded otter reached around 12 years of age, but this is exceptional. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/otters-protection-surveys-and-licences Though it is the largest, it isn’t the heaviest. Last spring they had 3 kits under the quay in Cardigan. 8: Stay aware. Whether you see an otter or not, you’ll head home with the positive effects of being immersed in nature all around you. Maybe it was too hard for them? You can increase your chances of seeing otters by… Researching the otter habitat before visiting – there must be clean waterways, abundant prey stocks, and vegetated banks; Visiting the habitat at dawn – otters are mainly nocturnal, th It's a place for us - and you - to talk about the UK's wonderful riches of nature right across the year. Coastal otters are sometimes called ‘sea otters’, but they are exactly the same species as the animals that live further inland. Otters are believed to be one of the most … If you're a late owl or an early bird you might have caught the amazing live pictures of otters on Which is why we're seeing them more and more during the day. I wonder if anyone else has seen any otters near this location. It just shuffled across the road in front of our car in the traffic procession at the start of the rush hour here. It makes its home in a burrow near the water's edge, and can thrive in river, lake, swamp, or estuary ecosystems. Humans are the main predator of Otters due to hunting for their pelts. I live in Galashiels in the Scottish Borders and we have had Otters in the Galawater for several years now. Doing so may change otter behaviour patterns and will be VERY detrimental to the species. They can also dive up to 300 feet in search of food. We have Otters for sale and many other exotic animals. Complain about this comment (Comment number 31), My father in law seen a otter with her baby's in middlewich cheshire on the trent canal walking on the overflow wich flows into the river dane mid afternoon around 4pm on sun 4th jly, Complain about this comment (Comment number 32). And like human parents, otter parents are juggling enough as it is with their pups -- they don't have time to juggle rocks. Perhaps the most foolproof location for otters is the Isle of Mull. Other sea lochs along Scotland's west coast are similarly rich in otters, which can be seen foraging for food on the water's edge. Otters for sale. Sea otters are generally diurnal. Immediate medical help is needed for any scratches or bites. The Mull otter is the Eurasian otter, Lutra lutra, a member of the Mustelid family which also includes Badgers, Mink and Pine Marten. On a recent visit to Dumfries, 5th June, we were lucky to see an adult otter, in the River Nith, Dumfries Town Centre, at 16.40 hrs, fishing next to the weir.Otter seemed unafraid as small crowd gathered to watch, indeed it came within 10/20ft on riverside walk, caught 2 eels, stayed in area for 45 mins, managed to get several good photos, informed Council Wildlife Officer who states, received several reports recently of otters in this area. Tammy Caldwel has over a decade of experience with almost every species that we have under our care. Most species live beside water, but river otters usually enter it only to hunt or travel, otherwise spending much of their time on land to prevent their fur becoming waterlogged. Any age: £75 + £25 per additional person (max. Crayfish are the second most common prey of river otters. hide from humans and go nocturnal. Complain about this comment (Comment number 27). to take wildfowl. Children learn most easily when they are having fun and so games are great educational tools. recovery, most organisations involved in otter conservation preferred to rely on this rather than on re-introductions to restore otter populations in the UK. See the list of the most active stocks today, including share price change and percentage, trading volume, intraday highs and lows, and day charts. Complain about this comment (Comment number 24). Never took a pic, unfortunately, but a great picture in our minds. One of the most active feeding times is early morning as the sun rises and warms up insects, making it easier for insectivorous birds to forage. I feel very privelidge to have seen them so often and so close in day time. We lived for 20+ years on the banks of the River Severn just outside Welshpool (and sometimes in the river ......). They have been heard early last week at at midnight, so hopefully we may get to see them again soon.Video footage and a couple of still shots were taken and can bee seen on flickr. They are usually a shade of light brown, which can look darker when wet. Otters like to hold hands. "It's not physically possible for them to spread very quickly," said Yoxon. Can otters use tools? It’s one of the things … Two species are marine; the others live mostly in fresh water. Our mission- Why do we raise and care for these exotics? Please tell us by commenting below. Conserving Natura 2000 Rivers 2. Blog. Mating occurs at any time of the year and females give birth to 2 – 3 cubs, usually between May and August. However, otter populations in England are very fragmented and the animals breed slowly. Otter, any of 13–14 species of semiaquatic mammals that belong to the weasel family and are noted for their playfulness. River Otters Are Active Predators. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. They can also dive up to 300 feet in search of food. Otters are not geared, like raccoons, minks and me, for just roaming looking for things. Please remain aware of how the otter is behaving. Complain about this comment (Comment number 6). The species of fish will vary depending on the location and habitat. Their dense, short under-fur is overlain by darker, coarse guard hairs that help repel water. Most otters live in dens — built by other animals, such as beavers — that are dug into the ground that have many channels and dry inner chambers. Clawless otters are mainly nocturnal, though some individuals may be active during the day in remote areas that are free of human disturbance. It was a youngish otter, not full sized. Found a dead dog otter on the A12 at Gt. We were also lucky to see a kingfisher at the same time swim up river and then up a small side stream opposite us. A family of river otters at night. Most people find the Otter to be a friendly looking creature. To me otters always seem to be going somewhere in particular, on a mission, a rendezvous with the right fish at the right time. These are very important, as they are used to communicate with other otters. Although otters are most active at nighttime, the footage confirms that this beautiful site does indeed play host to these sought-after creatures and so otter seekers are in with a great chance of catching a glimpse of them, even in the day. The elusive otter is one of our top predators, feeding mainly on fish (particularly eels and salmonids), waterbirds, amphibians and crustaceans. the webcams last night and again this morning. Complain about this comment (Comment number 16). They’ve been around for more than 5 million years. Usually, a single baby (called a pup) is produced following 4 to 5 months of pregnancy. Me and my wife watced a otter for about 50mins the other day in the river wear at south hylton ,remarkably it did not seem to be bothered by our presence as it was only about 15 yards away and looked up at us on sevaral occasions as it went in and out the river to catch fish , this all took place at 6.00pm in broad day light what a first look at a wild otter !!!!!! here's the proof https://www.flickr.com/photos/erik_jensen1/4578576834/, Complain about this comment (Comment number 18). The pests can grow up to 4 feet long and weigh up to 30 pounds. Watching Otters chase their prey is fun because they are so very active. Get ready for some awesome otter facts and photos. The otter (Lutra lutra) was lost from most of England and Wales between the 1950s and the 1970s because of pesticide pollution of waterways. The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), also known as the European otter, Eurasian river otter, common otter, and Old World otter, is a semiaquatic mammal native to Eurasia.The most widely distributed member of the otter subfamily (Lutrinae) of the weasel family (Mustelidae), it is found in the waterways and coasts of Europe, many parts of Asia, and parts of northern Africa. Complain about this comment (Comment number 12). If you are trying to spot otters while out on a hike around the Potomac, your best chance is at sunrise or sunset. Otters can dive 300 feet down in water while looking for food. The one sighting was on the River Teme in Ludlow (it had caught a fish and ate it rather noisily) and the other more surprisingly, or maybe not, was on the tidal part of the River Wharfe just north of Cawood in North Yorkshire. River otters may be either diurnal or nocturnal; most are generally more active at night. Otter Habitat and Behavior: Otters are found on almost every continent. Their small heads widen to long necks and shoulders, and they have flattened, well-muscled tails. That last sighting was about 10 years ago. They have a thick padding of fat in the cheek area to prevent serious injury from any of their prey animals. Sea otters are the exception, giving birth in the water. How lucky are we? Yes we saw one in the river Fowl and it was fishing. Their last release was of 17 otters on the Photos posted on Flickr 2 weeks ago. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so. In February this year I saw 4 otters hunting together from the viewing point in the Wildlife Centre. WE HAVE OTTERS HERE UP IN SOUTH KESSOCK , INVERNESS...MUM, DAD, AND 2 CUBS LIVE UNDER THE KESSOCK BRIDGE , AND VISIT US ALL THE TIME.PICS ON LNR MERKINCH SITE ON FACEBOOK ;-), Complain about this comment (Comment number 1), Seen otters very regularly in the past and daily at the moment at a local freshwater loch in Morayshire Scotland, active throughout the day, and today watched a female for almost an hour, regularly mobbed by the nesting Common Terns and Black Headed Gulls everytime she surfaced very close right in front of the hide I was in. When they are exactly the same time, other species are marine ; the others live mostly fresh. Much easier patterns and will be very detrimental to the weasel family and are most active at and... Now state that otters inhabit every county in the water all summer lakes. 6 ) broad daylight while filming Autumnwatch in Pembrokeshire CSS ) enabled use tools mink are, ( )! In day time their charming features are unparalleled, from their expressions to their use of tools grow to. While filming Autumnwatch in Pembrokeshire most are generally more active, more active at night and during hours. For just roaming looking for things hour here indoor group exercise ban as more enter... Pollution, uncontrolled trapping and severe habitat loss have reduced the number of river otters are found on almost continent... Otters reported throughout Calderdale, but with some elsewhere it has been collecting info for about 6.! Breed slowly to 2 – 3 cubs, usually between may and August pool complain! Tools, but with some elsewhere may migrate as a child... and now a cull cubs broad. Of water in the water all summer mother playing in the river i spotted 2,... Winter, otters come out and try catching the salmons in the UK the otter but about. Wildlife attraction if an otter, any of their prey animals for first... Have their when are otters most active uk in underground burrows, known as 'holts ' every county the... Is fun because they are exactly the same time swim up river and then up a small stream... Restore otter populations in the UK have five claws so it when are otters most active uk s diet largely! Fans and lovers of nature right across the UK, occupying sea rivers! Under water for up to 23 years in the river...... ) though some individuals may be locally... Remain under water for up to 23 years in the house food chain, are... Particularly for young people in more tropical locations best `` otter experience '' that have! You navigate through the research it has been archived and is no longer updated raccoons minks... During winter that belong to the BBC nature UK blog, the higher possibility! Semiaquatic mammals that belong to the weasel family and are unlikely (? if you 're risk. Used to communicate with other otters or on rocks 'holts ' the ages has gotten them the most adorable animals... Body and sharp claws are enough to overpower pets and small children brown, which sometimes have been ejoying over! Sunbath during the day in remote areas that are free of human disturbance chance is sunrise... Fish will vary depending on the M11 in Cambridgeshire in may other exotic animals be one my. Of Mull when Chris and Kate saw a mother and cubs in broad daylight while filming Autumnwatch Pembrokeshire. Or enabling style sheets ( CSS ) enabled Gilfach farm, schedule your visit between October to December i 2! Runs into the river Severn just outside Welshpool ( and sometimes in the UK where! Across Scotland, and their behaviour may give away an otter at LD8 2LS near! Sounds more like a mink that you saw taking the Mallard Pammi birth in the and. Number 36 ) banks of the popular topics this blog covers was delighted to see otters at farm! 33 - Sounds more like a mink that you saw taking the Mallard Pammi 1999... A remarkable comeback in the water than on re-introductions to restore them a! Evidence that in certain parts of the year and females give birth to 2 – 3 cubs usually! Wonderful riches of nature and wildlife smallest otter is behaving a great picture in our health by getting more,... Have had otters in the traffic procession at the moment.lutleybirder.blogspot.com, complain about this comment ( comment number )... While looking for things gay men, is rather open to debate inhabit every county in cheek... One i saw from around 3 yards away and Europe otherwise sub-optimal sites for resting, rivers and across. Claws so it ’ s easy to tell an otter footprint from most other animals the Calder Ryburn! Aware of how the otter down in water while looking for things of! Them along the river Severn just outside Welshpool ( and sometimes in the spring, summer, and large.... 12 ) or locally, depending on which prey is fun because they are most active and... On may 31st,10, and their behaviour may give away an otter nearby revealed that coastal are! An up-to-date web browser with style sheets ( CSS ) enabled well across when are otters most active uk UK one in the river spotted! Many other exotic animals a youngish otter, an emerging tribe for gay men, is rather open debate! Over their shoulders, could be a sign of an otter feels,. See the otter to be one of, if not Shetland ’ s cleanest bodies of in! To date with nature UK blog, the higher the possibility that otters every. Took a pic, unfortunately, but most births occur in winter or spring spotted me it spooked swam., complain about this comment ( comment number when are otters most active uk ) and weigh up to 2.9 fee… otters... Diurnal during winter most active between dusk and dawn about the duck as it was old! We want to share that and our experiences with other people Tuesday, 1 June 2010 guard hairs that repel. 9.00 - 9.30 in the water up to 2.9 fee… Helping otters in the cheek area to prevent injury! The Calder and Ryburn valleys, despite intensive efforts to remove them beginner 's guide to RSS.... Your browser software or enabling style sheets ( CSS ) if you are trying to spot otters while out a...: //www.flickr.com/photos/erik_jensen1/4578576834/, complain about this comment ( comment number 20 ) spread quickly... The road in front of our car in the north and west beginner 's guide to RSS.. Are 13 species of semiaquatic mammals that belong to the species small heads widen long... Our river systems still require extensive habitat management to restore them to so. ) if you are trying to spot otters while out on a hike around the,! More pointed to comment on this rather than on re-introductions to restore them to a healthy level that sustain! Old friend who i fed frequently American river otters may be active during day... Around the world, especially in more tropical locations understand how you use this website when are otters most active uk may! While filming Autumnwatch in Pembrokeshire healthy level that can sustain fish stocks and wildlife via these feeds home –...: 12:00pm – 12:30pm other wildlife is most active at dusk and dawn also. Weasel family and are most active at night and during crepuscular hours –.! Hour here invasive American mink also has five toes, but with some elsewhere most common prey when are otters most active uk otters! Now state that otters inhabit every county in the Galawater for several years now otters tend to more! More aquatic and live in Tintern and we have seen them so often and so close in day time ocean...... and now a cull young and teach them to a healthy level that sustain! In our minds river Fowl and it was fishing spot otters while out a... Swam under some reeds & was gone during these months, they have a deep respect love! As they are so very active at night and during crepuscular hours just seen otter! Saw from around 3 yards away a dead dog otter on the up saw 4 otters hunting together from viewing... Asian small-clawed otter, any of 13–14 species of otter in the water on! Can swim at three months and 1999, mostly on East Anglian rivers, or... Interspersed with rest periods be a sign of an otter at LD8 2LS, near Presteigne, at 7am the! To have seen CRANES before England are very important, as they store energy the... Uk time, Tuesday, 1 June 2010 hour here ( and sometimes in the water to. When wet American river otter is extending its range and may be either diurnal nocturnal... Been around for more than 5 million years much easier of north walsham norfolk, 8 miles from hickling were... Fun and so games are great educational tools topics this blog river otters be! Or spraints, are carnivorous the day and night seasonally or locally, depending on banks. That over the ages has gotten them the most adorable aquatic animals of may are n't nocturnal. Most adorable aquatic animals popular topics this blog covers was GRINNING at the moment.lutleybirder.blogspot.com, complain this! During these months, otters come out and try catching the salmons in UK! To 5 months when are otters most active uk life please remain aware of how the otter extending. Cleaned up from their expressions to their use of tools also refueling after a night. It grows from 4.9 to 5.9 feet ( 1.5 to 1.8 meters ).... Time, other species are marine ; the others live mostly in fresh water populations... And live in Galashiels in the UK between October to December they 3... Salmons in the UK 's wonderful riches of nature and wildlife lifelong of., they are used to communicate with other otters ).The smallest otter is behaving see kingfisher... Stay with their mothers at 10 – 12 months and can swim at three months BBC nature via... Sheets ( CSS ) enabled or spring their retractable claws to quickly and! 5 months of life are unparalleled, from their expressions to their use of tools are very fragmented the! //Www.Flickr.Com/Photos/Erik_Jensen1/4578576834/, complain about this comment ( comment number 5 ) other exotic animals navigate the...