OTTER 



Lutra canadensis. 



Well known to the early settlers of North America and by them 

 regarded as an important article for trade, the otter has paid a dear 

 price for his handsome skin and to-day is found but rarely, al- 

 though, nominally, his range still extends from Alaska and Canada, 

 through the Rocky Mountain region on the west and New York 

 and Pennsylvania on the east, to the Carolinas and Florida. The 

 rich brown fur, in addition to a wonderful gloss and silkiness of 

 texture, possesses, when at its best from November to spring, such 

 a beautiful downy thickness that, although designed by nature for 

 his protection, it has proved the source of his greatest danger be- 

 cause of its high commercial value. In common with most of his 

 other features, it is peculiarly adapted to his water-loving habits 



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