THE OTTEH. 



179 



extremes of heat and cold. It lias excessively sharp, short 

 teeth, which enable it to hold fast the fish, on which it chiefly 

 feeds. Its body is elongated and much flattened, and the 

 tail, which is of great length, is also flat and broad. The legs 

 are short and strong, and so loosely jointed that it can tuin 

 them in any direction when swimming. 



The habitations of otters are formed in the banks of rivers 



TUE OTTER. 



or lakes, and are not altogether of an artificial character, as 

 they prefer occupying any deserted hollow or natural crevice 

 to the trouble of digging burrows for themselves. Though 

 they are very playful animals, and delight apparently in sport, 

 they are somewhat of a savage disposition, and must be taken 

 very young to be domesticated. They are cautious, timi<l 

 animals, and can seldom be appiuached unawares. They eat 



