THE OTTER PLAYS ON 69 



territory. That he has extraordinary ability 

 to take care of himself is shown in his' avoid- 

 ing extermination, though he wears a valuable 

 coat of fur. In England he has survived and is 

 still regularly hunted and trapped. Like the 

 fox he is followed with horse and hounds. 



Relentless in chase for food and fierce in de- 

 fense of self or young, yet he is affectionate at 

 home and playful with his fellows. If an old 

 one is trapped or shot the mate seeks the ab- 

 sent one, wandering and occasionally wailing 

 for days. Perhaps they mate for life. 



The young, one to four at a birth, are born 

 about the first of May. They are blind for 

 perhaps six weeks. They probably are weaned 

 before they are four months old, but run with 

 the parents for several months. Both parents 

 carry food for the young and both appear de- 

 voted to them. As soon as they are allowed to 

 romp or sleep in the sunshine they are under 

 the ever-watchful eye of one of the parents. 

 Woe to the accidental intruder who comes too 

 close. A hawk or owl is warned off with far- 

 reaching snarls and hisses. If high water, 

 landslides, or the near presence of man threatens 

 the youngsters they are carried one at a time 

 to a far-off den. 



The hide-and-seek play appears to be the 

 favourite one of the cubs, kits, or pups, as they 



