Otter Lutra canadensis canadensis 



the roots of trees along the streams, or in the banks in 

 much the same manner as do muskrats. They are short 

 legged animals that do not migrate well on land. How- 

 ever, in the water they are extremely graceful and fast. 

 They swim and dive with ease and are quite adept at 

 catching fish, upon which they chiefly feed. They also 

 eat frogs, crayfish and other aquatic animals and some 

 writers state, that when hard pressed for food, they will 

 feed upon eggs and poultry. In feeding, the food is 

 held between the fore paws. Sometimes they make 

 mud slides on a steep bank and several of them may 

 play for hours, seemingly enjoying the fun of sliding 

 into the water. Occasionally they make snow slides 

 also. 



The otter is a very wary animal and is seldom 

 seen. It is apparently active both night and day. The 

 otter attains a size of forty inches and its fur is very 

 valuable. The body is long; the legs are short; the tail 

 is rounded, being thick at the base and tapering; the 

 head is broad and somewhat flattened, and the nose is 

 short and blunt. The eyes are placed forward on the 

 head and the animal is able to look around above water 



-Ml 100 ><*- 



