THE MARTEN FAMILY—OTTER. 



177 



and in its mental endowments. It belongs, without 

 question, to the most attractive class of animals. 

 That it is an aquatic animal is seen even when it is 

 on dry land, having a creeping and Snake-like walk, 

 on account of its short legs; but its movements are 

 by no means slow. It moves quite differently in the 

 water, which is its proper element, and to which it 

 flees when danger threatens it on land. Its structure 

 is admirably adapted for swimming and diving. The 

 Snake-like, flat body, the short feet, converted into 

 vigorous oars by large webs, the rather long and 

 powerful tail serving as a very efficient rudder, and 

 the sleek, slippery fur — all these endowments com- 

 bine to enable it to glide swiftly through the waves. 

 Its sharp, vigorous teeth serve to seize the prey and 

 never let anything they once have closed upon es- 

 cape, however slippery it may be. In winter, when 

 the water is frozen over, it looks up holes in the ice 

 and descends, and returns through them to breathe. 

 Unfailingly it finds these holes again and is just as 



fishes only by night, especially in full moonlight. 

 It sometimes comes quite close to human dwellings 

 during its hunts, and passes villages that lie on the 

 bank, usually without being detected. 



Old Otters usually live singly, but the females 

 swim about accompanied by their young, or other 

 females. During the breeding season one may meet 

 males and females fishing together. They always 

 swim up stream from their habitation, and some- 

 times search a river for miles away, as well as the 

 smaller rivers and ponds that are connected with 

 the large stream. 

 Skill of the An Otter is as effective and skillful a 

 Otter hunter in the water as are a Fox and a 

 as a Hunter. Lynx combined on the land. In shallow 

 water it drives the fishes into a bay to prevent their 

 flight, or sometimes it beats the surface of the water 

 with its tail, and frightens them so that they seek 

 refuge in holes in the bank or under stones, and 

 thus fall an easy prey. 



THE COMMON OTTER. The characteristics of the Common Otter of Europe and Asia are well depicted in this illustration— the rounded 



head, small ears, tapering tail, short legs, ending in webbed feet, and rough wiry outer fur. The "predilection of the animal for fish is also shown, the 

 animal in the picture having just captured a finny meal, poniing to the river bank to enjoy it. (Lutra vulgaris.) 



ingenious in detecting others. The hole need only 

 be large enough to admit its nose for the purpose of 

 breathing ; and where such apertures exist the frozen 

 deep is perfectly adapted for its hunting. 



The voice of the Otter is much more rarely heard 

 from animals in the wild state than from those in 

 captivity, which are more easily excited. When the 

 Otter feels comfortable it utters a low chuckle ; when 

 it is hungry it emits loud cries, sounding like " girrk " 

 and so loud as to be disagreeable. It signifies its 

 anger by a loud shriek, and its contentment by a 

 shrill, harmonious whistle. 



The senses of the Otter are extremely acute. The 

 presence of a Man or Dog is perceived at a distance 

 of several hundred paces, and the approach of either 

 is always deemed a signal for prompt escape into 

 the water. The incessant persecution which it has 

 suffered has rendered it extremely shy and cautious, 

 and one who wishes to see it has to lie in wait for 

 days. As a rule it sallies forth after sunset, and 



The Otter also preys upon Crabs, Frogs, Water- 

 voles and small and medium-sized birds, though 

 fishes, especially Trout, are its favorite food. 



Young Otters The Otter has no set breeding season, 

 and How for one meets young ones all the 



They are Tamed. y ear around. There are from two 

 to four blind young ones in the litter. The mother 

 selects for them a secure place, warmly lining the 

 nest with soft grass. She loves her offspring ten- 

 derly and takes great care of them. They reach 

 their full growth by the third year. Otters taken 

 young and kept on milk and bread may become 

 very tame. The Chinese tame one species and train 

 them to catch fish, and in Europe Otters have also 

 repeatedly been trained for the same purpose. A 

 tame Otter is a very pretty and sympathetic animal. 

 It soon comes to know its owner and follows him or 

 her about like a Dog. It prefers a milk and vege- 

 table diet to one of meat, and may be trained not to 

 touch fish at all. 



