All in all, the sea otter preys on at least 100 different marine species. Today though, otters have returned to most of their former haunts in Norfolk. Cute and full of charisma, the otters at Blue Reef Aquarium are some of our visitorsâ favourite animals. Cape clawless and Asian small-clawed otters feed mainly on crabs and other crustaceans, molluscs, and frogs. Their diet consists of roughly 80% fish, but they will prey upon birds, mammals and frogs if fish are in short supply. Therefore, it should not come as a surprise that they indulge in food that can be found in and around rivers. 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 otter diet consists mainly of fish and crawfish, but they also consume toads, frogs, reptiles, and even small mammals. Giant otters eat mainly fishes and crabs. There a bunch of different activities including cutting + tracing practice, do-a-dot pages, 4-part apology cards and more! Sea otters eat a wide variety of prey, including marine invertebrates such as echinoderms (sea stars and sea urchins), crustaceans (e.g., crabs), cephalopods (e.g., squid), bivalves (clams, mussels, abalone), gastropods (snails), and chitons. 4. An adult otter needs to eat about 20% of its body weight per day. Therefore, they tend to be prolific and efficient hunters, preferring prey thatâs slow and easy to catch. Here, we’ll present some amazing facts about otters, including their habitat, what they like to eat, and just why they like to hold hands with each other. Their habitats can differ from species to species. 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. 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 â but there’s definitely more to them than being little charmers. Otters also have an acute sense of smell! NWT Ranworth Broad and NWT Barton Broad are just two places where otters are regularly recorded in Norfolk. Contributed by: Elizabeth Dack, Juvenile otter 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. Otters share similarities with other mammals, especially those found within the same family: the mustelidae. In the wild there are 13 different species of otter, and theyâre found on all continents except Australia and Antarctica. Mating occurs at any time of the year and females give birth to 2 – 3 cubs, usually between May and August. Incredible Facts About This Amazing Animal, Junior Aquarist and VIP Behind the Scenes Experience, The Daily Routine of an Otter in the Wild, Meet the Otters at Blue Reef Aquarium Portsmouth. They leave the protection of their mothers at 10 – 12 months and can breed at 2 years old. Otters have their cubs in underground burrows, known as 'holts'. All other species of otter are recorded as Near Threatened, Vulnerable or Endangered. The Wildlife Information Service is here to give advice and answer any questions you may have about Norfolk’s wildlife. In Norfolk by the 1970s most traditional otter sites were deserted and whole river systems no longer supported any otters. They have webbed feet for swimming, dense fur for warmth, and can close their ears and nose underwater. on 28/08/2018. With the ability to smell concentrations of fish and their high metabolisms, otters spend most of their time hunting for their next meal. 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. However, the marine otter and the sea otter live within coastal habitats, spending the majority of their lives at the coast. Otters living in zoos and aquariums are likely to live far past their average life span to almost double or triple years. Doing so may change otter behaviour patterns and will be VERY detrimental to the species. 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. The otter increase Otter numbers in the UK had dropped very low by the 1970s, partly due to the effects of certain pesticides. 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. 5. All otters are expert hunters that eat fish, crustaceans, and other critters. Sea otters can live around 10-15 years, whereas Eurasian otters are lucky to reach 4-years-old in the wild. Coastal otters in Shetland eat bottom-living species such as eelpout, rockling and butterfish. Thus, the sea otter is one of the very few mammals to make an effective use of tools (t… The elusive otter is one of our top predators, feeding mainly on fish (particularly eels and salmonids), waterbirds, amphibians and crustaceans. It depends on the species and whether they live in the wild or not. An otters diet mainly consists of fish, however, it can also include birds, insects, frogs, crustaceans and small mammals. damage or destroy an otter’s breeding or resting site. River otters eat 15% to 20% of their total body weight each day. I have spent more time over the last two months in the company of wild otters than I have with other adult humans. on 13/11/2019. They are carnivorous, and most species eat a variety of fish, amphibians, shellfish, crabs, and other aquatic creatures. The otters have thick, hard fur of a brownish color, a light belly and a muzzle. Fish, especially eels and salmonids are eaten, and crayfish at certain times of the year. 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. Support conservation campaigns to protect wetland areas and ensure our rivers and waterways are free from pollution. The planning process has an important part to play in safeguarding the future of our wildlife and the environments they inhabit. 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. 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. Called a ‘raft’, the act has also been thought to be mating behaviour as competition between males can be fierce; some males like to hold the hands of their mates to make sure the female is not taken by another male. Otters prefer fish which they dive underwater to catch using their sharp teeth and powerful jaws. 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.â. Together we can save Norfolk's wildlife - become a member today. If opportunity presents itself, an otter will eat a … Please remain aware of how the otter is behaving. They also eat crustaceans, frogs and even small water birds. 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. A Eurasian otter feeding on a common roach caught in a river in Thetford. This conservation success story is the result of both better legal protection for otters and the banning of the pesticides which poisoned them. And if you get lucky, what you might see otters catch and eat. The otter we see in the UK is the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra). They have a unique foraging habit because they use rocks to kill their prey. Why Otter Population in the UK Dropped The sea otter, one of the 13 otter species, is considered the smallest marine mammal in the world. Most otters canât survive without access to fresh water. We talked to one of our trainers about what it’s like spending time with these two amazing creatures. Volunteers play a very important part in the success of Norfolk Wildlife Trust and we really value their support and commitment. River otters are known to travel far to fish in other areas if they are finding it hard to find food. Otters may also occasionally prey on birds, rabbits, and rodents. Newborns are only about 12cm long but grow quickly and can swim at three months. Dawn and dusk are the most likely times to chance upon an otter. The primary source of food for the Otter is fish. Every event is enjoyable for all ages, making them a wonderful way for families to explore the natural world together. The exception is the sea otter, which gives birth to its young in the water and keeps its pups on the motherâs underbelly until they are old enough to swim themselves. Contributed by: Elizabeth Dack, Otter The North American river otter and sea otter, meanwhile, can have gestation periods of 4-12 months. Contributed by: Elizabeth Dack. What do otters eat? 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. 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 … Pet otters eat a lot. Reproduction In England and Wales otter cubs, usually in litters of two or three, can be born at any time of the year. “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. The Scottish population is estimated to be around 8000 otters. Giant otters and sea otters spend most of their days awake and about. River otters' main source of food is fish, but otters are opportunists by nature and will eat a wide variety of foods. Shetland Otters. 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