124 Department of Conservation of Louisiana 



When the mating season is on, the male makes long 

 journeys in search of a mate. While too short legged and 

 ungainly to move about easily or gracefully on land, in 

 marked contradistinction to its admirable grace, agility and 

 swiftness when crossing any body of water, the bull otter 

 covers remarkable distance when this love hunt is on. 



The pairs do not remain together long; in the early 

 spring, in Louisiana, the mother otter produces from two 

 to five young in a litter, but two or three seem to be the 

 average; the period of gestation being unknown. The 

 young remain with the mother until nearly grown, which 

 is synonomous with the annual fall mating season, and then 

 they shift for themselves; at what age they become sexu- 

 ally mature is not known, but it seems certain they grow in 

 size after attaining puberty. 



Of all the fur animals, with the possible exception of 

 the raccoon, the otter makes the most satisfactory pet. It 

 is a very intelligent animal, in captivity it has a gentle dis- 

 position, and, being very playful, is interesting to watch. 



The Lousiana otter is known scientifically as Lutra 

 canadensis lataxina, and, while its pelt has not commanded 

 the price in the fur marts that the northern skins have, 

 still in late years our otters have earned from $15 to $25 

 for the trapper lucky enough to catch one. The pelts from 

 the waters in the wooded areas of the state are darker 

 and "furrier" than those from the coastal marsh, and, in 

 consequence command a better price from the fur buyer. 



The unplucked and undyed pelt of the otter is the most 

 durable of all furs and is ranked by the fur trade as 100 

 per cent in the scale of durability; beaver follows with a 

 rating of 97 per cent, the Louisiana muskrat being third 

 in durability. 



The principal otter-producing parishes of Louisiana, in 

 the order of importance of annual production, are: Terre- 

 bonne, St. Mary, Cameron, Plaquemines, Iberville, Acsen- 

 sion, Livingston, East Carroll, Iberia, Vermilion, Lafourche, 

 Assumption, Pointe Coupee, St. Martin, Washington, and 

 West Feliciana, but there is scarcely a parish in the state 

 where this valuable fur animal does not occur. 



