CARNIVORES: OTTERS, &c. 23 



Canada, and in the northern parts of Europe and Asia, 

 is about three feet long, of a dark color, and is very 

 powerful and ferocious when attacked. It is very trou- 

 blesome to Sable hunters, breaking down their wooden 

 traps, and eating the bait and game. It is so shrewd 

 that it scarcely ever enters the trap, and hence one is 

 seldom caught. 



Otters live in and about the water, and feed upon fish. 

 They are sportive in their disposition, and amuse them- 



Fig. 51. American Otter. 



selves by " sliding downhill." Selecting a steep bank 

 of a river, they slide head foremost into the water, and 

 repeat the operation many times, apparently with great 

 delight. Otters are three or four feet long from the 

 nose to the tip of the tail, the color dark brown, and 

 the fur is of two kinds, one short, fine, and thick, the 

 other long, coarse, and scattered. When taken young, 

 Otters are easily tamed, and become so familiar that 

 they will lie in the lap like a cat. 



