EUROPEAN OTTER. 143 



The Otter is web-footed, swimming and diving with 

 great ease, and is able to remain under water for some 

 time. It pairs under water, and its gestation lasts sixty- 

 one days. It is not terrified by the bark of a dog, and 

 other means have to be employed to drive it from its 

 place of refuge. It will even attack a single hound. 



Its food consists chiefly of fish, and it is very fond of 

 eels and frogs. Crawfish, water-hens, young rabbits, 

 mollusca, duck, and other water-fowl are also eaten by 

 the Otter. It occasionally partakes of celery, and 

 potatoes. When it has captured a fish, it usually begins 

 eating it at the gills. It is said to be able to smell fish 

 under water. 



Otters have occasionally been tamed, especially young 

 ones. These, when captured, may be fed on bread-and- 

 milk, or brought up by cats or other foster-mothers. 



The ordinary weight of a male Otter is from 12 lbs. to 

 22 lbs., and of a female about 15i- lbs. The length is 

 about 3|- feet. 



When Otters are abundant, fish are usually plentiful 

 and in good condition, therefore anglers should look on 

 the presence of Otters in streams with more favour. 



These animals travel considerable distances over land 

 during the night or early morning, and they have been 

 met with twelve miles from the nearest water. It sheds 

 its fur in spring. (The Field, October, 1888.) 



The skull is flat and rounded, and the teeth short and 

 stunted. 



Otters are found nearly throughout the globe, with 

 the exception of Australasia. All the various forms or 

 sub-species are only climatic developments, and would 

 probably all interbreed. 



The English and Irish Otters are small, about 3 feet 

 long ; the general colour is dark brown, and lighter 



