THE BOOK OF THE OTTER 



with cubs is killed, the cubs, if well grown, will 



search the vicinity for their parent, the same 



applying to one of a pair which has been caught 



in a trap, its mate remaining near it all night in an 



attempt to get it away. On these occasions the 



otters make a considerable noise, blowing and 



snorting in their agitation. On one occasion some 



years ago, a brother of ours found three small otter 



cubs on a Yorkshire beck, which he eventually 



captured. The bitch otter remained close at hand, 



making a great fuss, regardless of any possible 



danger to herself. The cubs were carried home, 



a distance of a mile or more, but were returned 



within a short time to the pool where they 



were found. The bitch otter again made her 



appearance, and eventually went off with her 



restored family. 



Otters, being great nomads, wander long 



distances up and down our rivers, frequently 



crossing high watersheds, and travelling far across 



country. Having no fixed abode like the fox, the 



otter inhabits temporary retreats or holts during 



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