NATURAL HISTORY OF THE OTTER 



swimming slowly, paddles in exactly the same 

 manner as a dog. When the speed is increased, 

 however, the tail is brought into action, being 

 moved from side to side, while the body is thrown 

 into sinuous curves. 



The otter, like the seal, feeds upon fish, but 

 whereas the seal swallows its prey whole and 

 entire, the otter masticates its food. The teeth of 

 the otter are therefore adapted to crushing bones, 

 which, if not thoroughly broken up, would lodge 

 in the animal's throat. The two back teeth in the 

 otter's upper jaw are considerably enlarged, and 

 are provided with cutting edges and a flat crushing 

 surface. Provided with a short and powerful jaw, 

 armed with a formidable array of teeth, the otter is 

 capable of inflicting a very nasty bite, as many a 

 hound and terrier, as well as otter-hunter, has had 

 cause to remember. Luckily the otter is a clean- 

 feeding animal, and the after results of a bite are 

 usually not serious. 



In the matter of size and weight, otters vary 



considerably, those found on or near the sea 



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