FIELD BOOK OF MAMMALS 



of tame Otter indicate that they make unusual pets, friendly, 

 good natured, and with very little of the uncertain temper 

 common to the Weasels. 



The Otter is a strong and capable fighter and more than a 

 match for a Dog in fair fight on land; in the water the Otter 

 is much more than a match for a Dog. 



From one to three young are born to the Otter, with as many 

 as five noted in an exceptional instance. The young arrive in 

 late April and but one family is reared in a season. It is said 

 to have its den in a bank with an under- water entrance, or less 

 frequently in a hollow log. 



The Otter is active at all hours. "The species makes a 

 variety of noises. It utters a loud sniffmg that sounds like 

 clearing its nose of water, and it growls and snarls in menace. 

 A female in the National Zoo at Washington, obtained in 

 northern New York, often emitted a loud birdy chirp to 

 express inquiry, desire, or hunger. Another female that I was 

 sketching at the same time (April 28), made a low chatter or 

 querulous grumble that seemed to express the same idea. The 

 latter was from Florida. A captive Otter kept by J. K. 

 MacDonald, of Winnipeg, in 1886, at Bersimis on the Gulf of 

 St. Lawrence, used to utter such a piercing whistle that my 

 informant repeatedly heard across the river (a mile and a half 

 away), as plainly, he said, as he could hear a man whistle if in 

 the same room with him. He knew of no other animal sound 

 so shrill, save the scream of the eagle or loon." (Seton.) 



The fur of the Otter is valuable and very serviceable, being 

 among the most durable of all the furs. 



Subfamily Enhydrinae. Sea Otters 



Characters as given under Enhydra. 

 Genus Enhydra 



Dentition: Incisors, |; Canines, {; Premolars, f ; Molars, i =32. 



Sea Otter. — Enhydra lutris 



and subspecies 



Names.^ — vSea Otter; Sea Beaver; Kalan. 

 General Description. — A large Otter with specialized struc- 

 tures for a marine habitat. Head rather broad and flat; ears 



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