NATURAL HISTORY OF THE OTTER 



otters occasionally weigh far heavier than any 

 of those mentioned in the foregoing list. 



In the Field of September 22nd, 19 17, an old 

 record is given (March, 1813) of a large bitch otter 

 trapped near Leven's Hall, Westmorland, 

 measuring 54 inches, and weighing 27^ lb. The 

 record otter killed by hounds, a dog otter of 34 

 lb., was accounted for by the Essex O.H. on 

 July loth, 1907, during Mr Rose's mastership of 

 that pack. This otter was found in the sea 

 marshes near Ipswich. Generally speaking, very 

 few otters of 30 lb. or over are accounted for by 

 hounds. 



It appears to be a matter of uncertainty as to 



how long a bitch otter goes with young. We have 



heard it said nine weeks, but have no reliable 



evidence to go by. As to the number of cubs in 



a litter, two appear to be more often laid down than 



three, although five have been more than once 



found in the same couch. Roughly speaking, 



the average number appears to be from two to 



three. 



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