FLESH-EATING MAMMALS 



23 



and structure are eminently adapted to the pursuit and capture 

 of fish, which constitute its main food. The flattened head and 

 spindle-shaped body, continued into a gradually tapering tail, 

 flattened from side to side, offer as little resistance as possible to 

 swift passage through the water, and friction is further reduced 

 by the dense smooth fur. The feet are completely webbed, and 



Fig. 317. — Otter {L-utra vulsa.ris) 



are largely assisted in their work of propulsion by the powerful 

 tail. The slippery prey, once overtaken, has no chance of 

 wriggling away from between the slender backwardly - curved 

 canines and the sharply-curved teeth by which these are succeeded. 

 Having secured his fish, the Otter holds it between his fore-paws 

 and beginning at the head eats steadily backwards, that is, if 

 really hungry; but in many cases this animal appears to merely 

 hunt for the pleasure of it, and is content with a single bite just 

 behind the back of the fish's head. A small South American 

 species, the Feline Otter {^Lutra felina), affects a marine habit, 

 and haunts the fjords which abound on the western side of that 

 region. This prepares us for the existence of a thoroughly marine 

 species, the Sea Otter (Latax luiris), a large form inhabiting 

 the North Pacific coasts, and attaining the length of 3 feet 



