THE MAMMALS OF NEW JERSEY. loi 



in the art of swimming and diving. This combined with their 

 nocturnal habits make it quite possible for them to remain un- 

 detected in comparatively thickly settled districts. They are fish- 

 eaters, and are seldom found far from water except when 

 traveling over land to take up their abode on another stream. 



In studying the structure and habits of the otter one does not 

 have to practice much imagination to see the line of evolution 

 followed by the seals in their departure from the terrestrial 

 Carnivora. 



Mr. Rhoads in an article in The Friend, February 24th, 1894, 

 described an otter's "den" which had been accidentlly opened 

 in cutting away a bank of Pensauken creek near Lenola, N. J. 

 It was a very large cavity, some six feet below the surface of the 

 ground, and with a passage-way leading out to the bed of the 

 creek some distance away; another tunnel branched off leading 

 to another smaller chamber. From the location of the entrance 

 in the bed of the creek and absolute absence of any external trace 

 of their habitation, the otters could readily have resided in this 

 spot, as they evidently had done, for many years without being 

 seen. 



One peculiarity of the otter is, however, likely to attract atten- 

 tion to his presence, and that is his habit of sliding down a steep 

 muddy bank into the water. This is apparently done in sport, 

 and the slide is worn smooth and slippery from use. Such slides 

 are often detected by those who are familiar with their nature, 

 and such discoveries often lead to not only a sight but often the 

 death of the otter. 



The pelts of the otter have always been a valuable source of 

 revenue to the hunter, as are those of all the family Mustelidce. 



Lutra canadensis Abbott, Cook's Geol. of N. J., 1868, p. 754. — - 

 Abbott, A Naturalist's Rambles, 1885, p. 448. — Rhoads, The 

 Friend, Feb. 24th, 1894. — Rhoads, Mam. Pa. and N. J., 1903, 

 p. 156. — Beesley, Geol. Cape May Co., 1857, p. 137. 



Lutra hudsonica Rhoads, Proc. Acad. Nat; Sci. Phila., 1897, 

 P-3I- 



