WA TER-RA T— O TTER 



283 



rounded, the eyes black, the ears very short and hidden in the coat, and the 

 tail is only half as long as the head and body together and almost cylindrical. 

 It is covered with closely adherent hairs, not scales, and somewhat flattened 

 at the tip. The feet are pale flesh-colour and not webbed, and the claws of 

 the fore-feet are short, while those of the others are long, all of them being 

 of a dark purple tint. 



otter. 



The otter (Lutra vulgaris) is an aquatic carnivore whose rela- 

 tives are distributed over all the continents of the globe, with the 

 exception of Australia. 

 Such a familiar animal 

 needs nothing in the way 

 of description, and we 

 accordingly pass directly 

 to the consideration of 



THE OTTER. 



its habits. The 

 otter is more 

 active by night 

 than by day, 

 and though able 



to climb across sluices and weirs, with the aid of its sharp claws, it is in the water 

 that it is really most at home. Indeed, it leaves this element only when compelled, 

 and tries to get back when danger threatens. The smooth, long body, the short legs 

 with their paddle-like feet, the long, strong tail which serves as a rudder, and the 

 constantly dry fur, all combine to render this animal specially suited to a sub- 

 aquatic life. Although able to remain under water for a long time, an otter lias 

 to come to the surface occasionally to breathe, when it generally raises only its 

 nose to inhale the air. As it exhales air while it dives, a number of small bubbles 

 mark its course under water. When the bubbles become larger, the otter is rising 

 again, and soon it appears on the surface, to swim, perhaps, a little distance, with 

 only its head or nose visible, a rippling wave indicating its course. If ice covers the 



