48 QUADRUPEDS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



Observations. The Otter is still an inhabitant of our waters, 

 but, from its shyness, watchfulness, and aquatic habits, is rarely- 

 seen, and still more rarely captured. It lives in holes in the 

 banks of streams, and subsists on fish, as salmon, bull-pouts, 

 clams,* &c., the heads being more of a luxury than the bodies. 

 It is very expert in fishing, moves rapidly in the water, in which 

 it is greatly aided by the extreme mobility of its shoulder joints. 



The fur of the Otter ranks next to that of the Beaver in value, 

 being nearly as fine, but not quite so long. It is more valuable 

 in March and April than in the autumn, the fur then having at- 

 tained its greatest length. In spring. Otter skins of the best 

 quality generally sell for seven dollars, though the price varies 

 with the fashions of the day. From the shortness of its limbs, 

 the Otter is not a swift runner, yet it is difficult to capture it even 

 on the land ; the hide is thick and tough, and defended by a coat 

 of fur, and being a sharp biter, and quite active, the animal repels 

 the attacks of most dogs, unless they have the assistance of their 

 masters. It is rare to find an Otter thin in flesh ; but, though its 

 condition is good, and though it is fat, yet its meat is no great 

 dainty, except to an Esquimaux. Its breeding season is in the 

 spring, or about the middle of April ; it has but one litter annual- 

 ly, and it numbers only two or three young at a birth. The range 

 of the species is wide, but its home seems to be in the colder 

 regions of the North, as Canada and the British Provinces. It 

 travels much, and does not confine itself to one locality, but 

 wanders up and down the streams, as its wants and caprices 

 seem to dictate ; it even travels over mountain ridges to reach 

 some favorite fishing ground, in a route more direct than the 

 windings of rivers. As has been already remarked, it is supplied 

 with two glandular bodies situated at the base of the tail ; these 

 seem to be connected with sexual propensities, and enable the 

 animals to discover their mates, as they are supposed to eject or 

 cast it on stones or weeds, somewhat in the manner of dogs. 

 The hunters call it castor, and employ it to allure them into their 

 traps. The usual method of trapping the Otter, is to seek first 



* Unios are so extensively used as food by the Otter and JMink, tliat they are 

 quite scarce in many places where they formerly abounded. 



