COMMON OTTER. 17* 



M. M. F. 



Length from nose to point of tail 42 in. 38 40 



Length of head 5 4| 4| 



Length of tail 16 



The short palmated feet, and long muscular tail 

 of the Otter, with its short glossy pile, indicate its 

 aquatic habits. It lives almost entirely on fishes, 

 which it pursues not only in rivers and lakes, but 

 also in the open sea. In the northern parts of 

 Scotland, and in the Hebrides and Shetland Islands, 

 it resides among the blocks, or in the caverns along 

 the coast, and subsists on marine fishes, seldom ap- 

 pearing on the streams or lakes unless in winter 

 during very stormy weather. In the south of Scot- 

 land, and in many parts of England, it inhabits the 

 fresh waters, and has been found on rivers at the 

 distance of forty or fifty miles from the sea. On 

 shore, it runs with considerable speed, but does not 

 bound like the Weasels, and, in fact, is rather plan- 

 tigrade than digitigrade. In the water it exhibits 

 an astonishing agility, swimming in a nearly hori- 

 zontal position with the greatest ease, diving and 

 darting along beneath the surface with a speed 

 equal if not superior to that of many fishes, 

 capable of remaining immersed a considerable time, 

 but on seizing a fish, it cannot devour it in the 

 water, but must bring it on shore for that purpose, 

 not always, however, carrying it to its ordinary 

 retreat, but generally to the nearest point that seems 

 to afford temporary security. While eating, it 

 holds down its prey with its fore feet, or if small, 



