THE OTTER 



IT can be seen from the accompanying illus- 

 tration of front and hind tracks that the 

 footmarks of the otter are rather unusually 

 round; and on hard ground, which allows but a 

 slight impression, the almost circular standing 

 imprints of toes and heel show plainly. If the 

 individual tracks are invisible in dry snow, the 

 form of the trail, together with the drag made 

 at intervals by the long tail of the otter, obviates 

 any doubt as to what animal has made the trail. 

 The otter has a habit of leaving the streams 

 along which he lives, or which he visits, at regular 

 places, and makes what are called slides near 

 which parts of fish are frequently scattered. 

 Excrements containing fish bones found on 

 boulders and promontories in the rivers are un- 

 mistakable otter signs that betray his presence, 

 even if no tracks or slides are seen along the 

 banks of the stream. 



157 



