THE OTTER AND SEAL 49 



with considerable care, and is usually lined with 

 moss, fur or wool. 



The otter is a most attentive parent, and, 

 except to feed, seldom leaves her young for the 

 first two months. Occasionally, when the nest or 

 " hover " is by the water's edge, the cubs are 

 flooded out ; then the mother removes her family 

 by the scruff of the neck to a place of safety, and 

 has been known to carry them long distances 

 in this manner. 



Otter cubs, even when quite young, are very 

 restless, and require to be constantly watched to 

 prevent them from straying. Sometimes one 

 manages to escape while the parent is absent on 

 a fishing excursion. He leaves with all the con- 

 fidence of youth, but presently comes to water 

 which he dare not face. The wanderer is not, 

 however, allowed to go far, for the mother on 

 her return quickly follows him up and drives him 

 back to the hover. 



The otter is one of the terrestrial carnivora, 

 and is a near relative of the badger, pine marten, 

 stoat, weasel and ferret. It can run, jump, 

 climb and fight with the best of them, and 

 originally led a purely terrestrial life like its 

 cousins. 



