82 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION 



and the Northwest, but the skins of these are less valuable than those of 

 the smaller and darker animals of the Northeast. The highest quota- 

 tions are always for skins from Canada and the Eastern United States. 

 " The Fur Trade Review for December, 1908, and January-, 11)09, 

 quotes No. 1 otter skins as follows: 



Canada and eastern $18 to $20 



Northwestern and Pacific coast $12 to $14 



Western and southwestern $10 to $12 



Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia $10 to $12 



" Otter fur in the north is at its best in December, but keeps in 

 prime condition until March. In the southern states it probably does 

 not reacli its best condition before January. 



'" The prime requisite for success in raising any fur-bearing 

 Habits animals is a thorough knowledge of their habits, especially 



breeding and food habits. The following notes are offered as 

 suggestions in conducting experiments with otters: 



" Otters are semi-aquatic, are powerful and rapid swimmers, able to 

 stay under water for considerable time in pursuit of prey or in escaping 

 from enemies, but they are also well adapted to dry land. They make 

 long journeys overland from one stream to another and especially de- 

 light in travelling over soft snow, on which they run and slide on their 

 silky bellies with apparent enjoyment. On freshly fallen or wet snow 

 they often prefer this method of travelling and will follow the banks 

 of a stream for miles; but the greater part of their travelling is in 

 the water where most of their food is procured. The long flattened 

 tail is a powerful propeller and the large webbed hind feet give addi- 

 tional paddle surface for easy and rapid progress through the water. 

 While on dry land, their motions are comparatively slow and awkward ; 

 in the water, they are rapid, lithe and seal-like, almost as easy ami 

 graceful and even more rapid than those of many fish. Fish are pur- 

 sued and caught, apparently in fair chase and with great ease, though 

 it is perhaps not safe to say that all kinds are an easy prey. Otters 

 seem to be about equally active night or day, but most so in the morning 

 and evening hours. 



" Live fish, caught in the water and eaten on the banks or on 

 Habits tlie ice seem to be the favourite food of otters, though it ia 



doubtful if they are more extensively eaten than crayfish. Otter 

 sign is more often composed largely of fish scales and bones and crus- 

 tacean shells than of any other food remains, but frogs, water fowl, 



