A large male may consume as much as 11 kg (25 lb.) Their habitats can differ from species to species. To stay warm in the water for so long, otters have incredibly thick fur, and very fast metabolisms, which means they need to eat a lot – 20% of their body weight per day, during certain months. Coastal otters in Shetland eat bottom-living species such as eelpout, rockling and butterfish. Unlike other otters, having a soft undercoat, sea otters possess fur with thick hard hair. Excellent and lithe swimmers, the young are in the water by 10 weeks of age. Their diet consists of roughly 80% fish, but they will prey upon birds, mammals and frogs if fish are in short supply. What Do Otters Eat Regularly? Otters may also occasionally prey on birds, rabbits, and rodents. They aren’t picky eaters though as they will consume just about anything they can find to survive on. on 13/11/2019. Joining us today makes a real difference to Norfolk. What do Otters Eat and Where Do They Live? The otter we see in the UK is the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra). In the UK IOSF is the only charity solely dedicated to the conservation, protection and care of otters based on years of scientific research in the UK and around the world. An otter’s daily routine would usually focus on two main things: sleeping and finding/eating food. In the UK otters can only really be confused with the introduced American mink, but otters are much larger (95-130cm in length, including tail), with a distinctive white throat. In the spring, frogs are an important food item. “We can even use this to weigh them weekly by holding our fists over scales, getting them onto their hind legs to show us their underbellies or even to do some agility training over platforms to see how well their limbs are working. We all love talking about the otters and our other animals, so are always open for questions throughout the day from visitors.”. From a conservation point of view, only the North American river otter is considered to be of ‘Least Concern’, and isn’t the focus of conservation. Otters tend to live in a holt, which is normally a hole in a river or lakeside bank or in a tree root. All otters are expert hunters that eat fish, crustaceans, and other critters. Otters share similarities with other mammals, especially those found within the same family: the mustelidae. They will also feed on mussels and limpets on the seashore and when on land they hunt down frogs, waterfowl, voles and even rabbits. Where can I see Shetland otters? Coastal otters in Shetland eat bottom-living species such as eelpout, rockling and butterfish. Otters living in zoos and aquariums are likely to live far past their average life span to almost double or triple years. Cute and full of charisma, the otters at Blue Reef Aquarium are some of our visitors’ favourite animals. Despite their sleek bodies, these mammals can eat food amounting to as much as 25% of their body weight. Reproduction In England and Wales otter cubs, usually in litters of two or three, can be born at any time of the year. Looking to meet Ralph and Selma for yourself? on 03/10/2019. Therefore, they tend to be prolific and efficient hunters, preferring prey that’s slow and easy to catch. Newborns are only about 12cm long but grow quickly and can swim at three months. Otters weigh 35-90 pounds (males weigh more than females). When they are hungry for larger game, otters will attack birds, young beavers, and muskrats. Contributed by: David Jackson, Two otters nose to nose in the dyke The primary diet of sea otters consists of aquatic invertebrates including crustaceans, sea urchins, mollusks and fish. As the Asian short-clawed otter is the least aquatic species of otter, I love coming in some mornings and seeing them swimming in their provided pool and playing with each other.”. They are carnivorous, and most species eat a variety of fish, amphibians, shellfish, crabs, and other aquatic creatures. Droppings (spraints) and footprints are more likely to be seen than the actual animal. Being a semi-aquatic and nocturnal creature does, though, make this furtive animal difficult to spot. Support conservation campaigns to protect wetland areas and ensure our rivers and waterways are free from pollution. In the UK, one of the biggest natural predators of Eurasian otters is birds of prey, which are likely to swoop down on small otter pups. However, due to the fur trade, illegal pet trade and problems with fishermen, the biggest predator of otters are actually humans. I have spent more time over the last two months in the company of wild otters than I have with other adult humans. Also the enemy is a man. The majority of species, including the Asian short-clawed otter, the Eurasian otter, marine otter, giant otter and hairy-nose otter, are known to have a gestation period of up to 9 weeks. on 28/08/2018. From the wild north coast to the sandy heaths of Breckland, the Norfolk Broads to ancient woodlands, Norfolk’s diverse habitats are home to a stunning variety of wildlife. During mealtimes, we separate them out to keep food aggression to an absolute minimum, but like most siblings, Ralph and Selma can get a little angry with each other. Giant otters eat mainly fishes and crabs. The average otter is 1–1.3 metres in length, and weighs up to 9kg. River otters' main source of food is fish, but otters are opportunists by nature and will eat a wide variety of foods. The otter increase Otter numbers in the UK had dropped very low by the 1970s, partly due to the effects of certain pesticides. The sea otter is only found in salt water, where it prefers to eat invertebrates such as shellfish. UK otters live on the coast in in freshwater generic nolvadex bodybuilding rivers and lakes. Otters like shallow water with plenty of fish. The sea otter, one of the 13 otter species, is considered the smallest marine mammal in the world. Although once considered to be on the brink of extinction in the wild across the UK, it’s now recorded that otters can be found in almost all counties, though it’s a rare and lucky occurrence to see these mammals in the wild. Otters have their cubs in underground burrows, known as 'holts'. Their gestation period is 9 weeks and they can breed at any time of the year, although this usually occurs in spring. 7: Never remove spraints (dung). “My favourite part of working with our otters is learning about their individual personalities, watching their eating habits and the things they each like to do when awake and around their enclosure. Giant otters and sea otters spend most of their days awake and about. They have webbed feet for swimming, dense fur for warmth, and can close their ears and nose underwater. at Strumpshaw Fen As well as fish, otters sometimes consume crustaceans (such as crayfish and crabs), amphibians and even insects, waterbirds and small mammals. Every event is enjoyable for all ages, making them a wonderful way for families to explore the natural world together. One species of otter is native to the UK: the Eurasian or European otter, which is found across Europe, even reaching some parts of Asia and Africa too. Our otters at the sanctuary are fed a variety of fish including salmon, trout, eels and a food mix … In the wild there are 13 different species of otter, and they’re found on all continents except Australia and Antarctica. An otter can roam 10kms in one night. The river otter food web plays a crucial role in the environments the river otter calls home. For more information on how to see them, as well as Blue Reef Aquarium’s incredible array of other marine life, be sure to visit the homepage. at River Bure Otters are carnivorous animals and fish make up 80% of their diet. “We also do a daily feed and talk at 2pm, when the otters are given their lunch whilst a 10/15-minute talk is given by an animal care team member. Sea otters and also the African Clawless Otter have broad molar teeth for crushing shellfish whereas the teeth of the European otter are narrower for slicing through fish. NWT Ranworth Broad and NWT Barton Broad are just two places where otters are regularly recorded in Norfolk. at NWT Hickling Your support helps us protect the future of that wildlife and helps us inspire people to value nature. And if you get lucky, what you might see otters catch and eat. Otters were released by the Otter Trust in Norfolk between 1984 and 1997 with the approval of the statutory conservation bodies existing at the time; there have been no releases since then (other than orphaned otters which are released by the RSPCA as close as possible to the location that they came from). As aquatic mammals, otters spend most of their time in the water. An adult otter needs to eat about 20% of its body weight per day. of food daily. Visitors are also more likely to smell our otters before even seeing them, they love to scent mark, which helps us to do lots of enrichment by introducing different scents or even moving around their enclosure every day. All otters are expert hunters that eat fish, crustaceans, and other critters. Dawn and dusk are the most likely times to chance upon an otter. Discover Norfolk's wildlife, from our majestic marsh harriers to stunning swallowtail butterflies. River otters eat 15% to 20% of their total body weight each day. With the ability to smell concentrations of fish and their high metabolisms, otters spend most of their time hunting for their next meal. Otter at Strumpshaw Fen by Elizabeth Dack. Since then, due to safer use of agro-chemicals and deliberate protection measures for otters, their numbers have steadily increased. A Eurasian otter feeding on a common roach caught in a river in Thetford. Otters are carnivores, and will eat a large quantity of fish, crayfish, frogs, crabs, insects and small birds in the area that they live because they must consume their weight in food every day to live. This conservation success story is the result of both better legal protection for otters and the banning of the pesticides which poisoned them. In the wild, most species of otter feed on fish and crustaceans, with river otters feeding on prey like freshwater fish, mussels, crabs, crayfish and frogs, and saltwater otters eating marine prey such as shellfish, sea urchins and shrimp. What’s your favourite part about working with our otters? With the ability to smell concentrations of fish and their high metabolisms, otters spend most of their time hunting for their next meal. Otters prefer fish which they dive underwater to catch using their sharp teeth and powerful jaws. They grow to one meter (3 to 4 ft) in length and weigh from five to 15 kilograms (10 to 30 lb). The North American river otter and sea otter, meanwhile, can have gestation periods of 4-12 months. This helps them make tight turns underwater as they chase after prey. There are a variety of different otter species found within zoos and aquariums in the UK, most commonly the Asian Short-clawed otter, but other species such as giant otters and sea otters can also be found. Contributed by: Elizabeth Dack. Do you have a question about Norfolk's wildlife? Come and discover wildlife as a family! At Blue Reef Aquarium Portsmouth, we have Ralph and Selma, a pair of 14-year-old otters both born in the same litter within the enclosure they still live in! There are many natural predators of otters, such as bobcats, coyotes, wolves, bears and foxes, as well sea lions, orcas, great white sharks, alligators and crocodiles. How do I tell the difference between a mink and an otter? With its broad head and long, wide tail the otter has a very distinctive appearance and is easily identified. They enjoy carp, sunfish, minnows, suckers, sculpin and salmonids such as trout and salmon. When were Otters reintroduced to Norfolk? One of their favourite games to play is when we get our waders on and get into their pool using a net, they like to sneak up behind us and when we turn around they swim off – they absolutely love it!”. Otters occasionally take water birds such as coots, moorhens and ducks. The exception is the sea otter, which gives birth to its young in the water and keeps its pups on the mother’s underbelly until they are old enough to swim themselves. An adult otter needs to eat about 20% of its body weight per day. Be warned, it’s rather gruesome viewing with the tentacle-less octopus changing colour as it’s being eaten alive. River otters are apex predators in their food web. The young otters are hunted by sharks, predatory seabirds and animals. They know that if they do this, they will receive a piece of food. So, a 50-pound otter would need to eat about 10-15 pounds of food per day. “They can expect high levels of cuteness from our otters, like when Ralph is juggling his pebbles or Selma does her scent-marking dance around the enclosure. Thus, the sea otter is one of the very few mammals to make an effective use of tools (t… Together we can save Norfolk's wildlife - become a member today. Volunteers play a very important part in the success of Norfolk Wildlife Trust and we really value their support and commitment. They also eat crustaceans, frogs and even small water birds. Otters are adapted to life on both land and in water. Contributed by: Elizabeth Dack, Juvenile otter The river otter food chain consists mostly of fish. You can watch an otter eat an octopus in the above video. Please remain aware of how the otter is behaving. Otters are meat eaters. How … The otter’s droppings are known as spraint and otters use them to mark their territories. Otters are accustomed to preying on live animals; hunting is an integral part of an otter’s life. 3. The elusive otter is one of our top predators, feeding mainly on fish (particularly eels and salmonids), waterbirds, amphibians and crustaceans. Clawless otters, on the other hand, are nocturnal. Otters will mainly feed on fish (40-90% of their diet)and will take a variety of species depending on the time of year, species such as carp, stickleback and eels. Otters declined catastrophically throughout England in the late 1950s. River otters and giant otters hunt by using their vibrissae to detect movements of prey in the water. Diet: Fish, especially eels and salmonids are eaten by the otter, and crayfish at certain times of the year. Pet otters eat a lot. Quiet back waters of the Norfolk broads, reed-fringed freshwater dykes and many of Norfolk’s rivers including the Wensum, Bure, Yare and Nar provide just these conditions. River otters prefer larger fish due to ease of capture; larger prey gives river otters more energy as well. Many otters eat tough food, particularly sea otters that inhabit the shallow coastal waters of the northern Pacific. They’re renowned for preying on hard-shelled marine invertebrates, including abalones, sea urchins, clams, mussels and crabs, usually fracturing the shells with their teeth. However, when fish is scarce, they eat insects, frogs, birds and other mammals like rodents. Otter populations crashed to near extinction across most of lowland England by the mid 1970’s as a result of pesticide poisoning, loss of habitat and hunting. At times our otters can be quite playful with the keepers. The otter diet consists mainly of fish and crawfish, but they also consume toads, frogs, reptiles, and even small mammals. The number of otters is increasing in Norfolk. They catch prey with their teeth. A carnivorous family of mammals that also includes minks, polecats, weasels, ferrets and badgers, they all share non-retractable claws, a long body with short legs and a high metabolism, so they can eat more than usual without gaining weight.Â. Sea otters eat about 20-30% of their body weight each day. Most species have webbed feet, and all have long, sensitive whiskers and thick, water-repellent fur. River otter species can be either, though most are usually more active at night. Sea otters can live around 10-15 years, whereas Eurasian otters are lucky to reach 4-years-old in the wild. The primary source of food for the Otter is fish. To see an otter in the wild demands not only being in the right place at the right time but also that you spot the otter before the otter spots you. Their carnivorous diet is wide-ranging – Roger Cottis once watched an otter drag a conger eel from the sea and devour every inch of it, and if they had the choice, otters would probably dine exclusively on … To stay warm in the water for so long, otters have incredibly thick fur, and very fast metabolisms, which means they need to eat a lot – 20% of their body weight per day, during certain months. An otters diet mainly consists of fish, however, it can also include birds, insects, frogs, crustaceans and small mammals. They will also feed on mussels and limpets on the seashore and when on land they hunt down frogs, waterfowl, voles and even rabbits. The planning process has an important part to play in safeguarding the future of our wildlife and the environments they inhabit. The otter is a fish hunter, though it happily eats waterbirds, amphibians and crustaceans too, including American signal crayfish. However, otters differ from similar species like beavers, muskrats, and nutria that feed on plants. Otters are meat eaters. Otters are carnivorous animals and fish make up 80% of their diet. How do I know if otters are present on a site? As much as I really shouldn’t anthropomorphise these wild animals, I’m afraid I do. Cape clawless and Asian small-clawed otters feed mainly on crabs and other crustaceans, molluscs, and frogs. Their short ears and noses, coupled with their dense, cuddly fur certainly make otters one of the sea’s most adorable examples of marine life – but there’s definitely more to them than being little charmers. Like weasels, otters have short legs and long flexible bodies. River otters also prefer slower-moving fish to game fish. However, the marine otter and the sea otter live within coastal habitats, spending the majority of their lives at the coast. Otters are apex predators and therefore what they eat and how they are doing is a great indicator of the lochs overall health. The Wildlife Information Service is here to give advice and answer any questions you may have about Norfolk’s wildlife. Doing so may change otter behaviour patterns and will be VERY detrimental to the species. All other species of otter are recorded as Near Threatened, Vulnerable or Endangered. The river otter food chain also consists of mussels, bivalves, snails, cr… Eurasian otters are indigenous to the UK and can be found in either fresh or salt water, although it’s usually known as the river otter for the obvious reason. It depends on the species and whether they live in the wild or not. Otter swimming in a still stream showing a good reflection How to prevent otters predating fisheries and ponds. This means if Otters are going well, we can look at activities that have happened and do more of it, like our oyster reintroduction - see below. Fish are relatively insignificant in their diets. Sea otters have a high metabolic rate (that is, they use a high amount of energy) that is 2-3 times that of other mammals their size. Otters are accustomed to preying on live animals; hunting is an integral part of … They’ve become like my wild, extended family. Otters prefer fish which they dive underwater to catch using their sharp teeth and powerful jaws. 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