THE BOOK OF THE OTTER 



have in the previous chapter compared the teeth 

 of the otter and the seal, the latter animal swallow- 

 ing its food whole, while the former masticates its 

 food. Seals live upon fish, but it must be 

 remembered that the otter belongs to the marten 

 family, and, though well adapted to lead an aquatic 

 existence, it still retains some of the marten's 

 hunting instincts, and its teeth are suited to seizing 

 and holding both furred and feathered prey. The 

 pine marten, stoat, and weasel will all eat trout 

 greedily when they can get it, so it is only natural 

 that the otter, their relation, well equipped for 

 swimming and water work, should show the same 

 taste. As a matter of fact he does exhibit the same 

 taste as his smaller relatives, and to a much greater 

 degree, but he is also glad to vary his diet and add 

 both flesh and fowl to the menu. 



The uninitiated, whose knowledge of otters has 

 been gained by visits to the Zoological Gardens, 

 while realising the swimming ability of the animals, 

 look upon them as clumsy beasts on land, and ill- 

 adapted to lead an active existence on terra firma. 



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