70 WATCHED BY WILD ANIMALS 



are variously called. They may hide behind 

 mother, behind a log, or beneath the water. 



The otter has a powerful, crushing bite and 

 jaws that hang on like a vise. A tug-of-war 

 between two youngsters, each with teeth set 

 in the opposite ends of a stick, probably is a 

 good kind of preparation for the future. They 

 may singly or sometimes two at a time ride on 

 mother's back as she swims about low in the 

 water. When they are a little older mother 

 slips from under them, much to their fright and 

 excitement. She thus forces them to learn to 

 swim. Though most habits are likely instinc- 

 tive they are trained in swimming. 



The otter's two or two-and-a-half foot body 

 is carried on four short legs which have webbed 

 and clawed feet. One weighs from fifteen to 

 twenty-five pounds. Clad in a coat of fur and a 

 sheet of fat he enjoys the icy streams in winter. 

 He also enjoys life in the summer. Though with 

 habits of his own he has ways of the weasel and 

 of the sea otter. 



He sends forth a variety of sounds and calls. 

 He whistles a signal or chirps with content- 

 ment; he hisses and he bristles up and snarls; 

 he sniffs and gives forth growls of many kinds. 



His active brain, eternal alertness, keen 

 senses, and agile body gave him a rare equip- 

 ment in the struggle for existence. He is in 



