THE OTTER PLAYS ON 6s, 
territory. That he has extraordinary ability 
to take care of himself is shown in his avoid- 
ing extermination, though he wears a valuable 
coat of fur. In England he has survived and is 
still regularly hunted and trapped. Like the 
fox he is followed with horse and hounds. 
Relentless in chase for food and fierce in de- 
fense of self or young, yet he is affectionate at 
home and playful with his fellows. If an old 
one is trapped or shot the mate seeks the ab- 
sent one, wandering and occasionally wailing 
for days. Perhaps they mate for life. 
The young, one to four at a birth, are born 
about the first of May. They are blind for 
perhaps six weeks. They probably are weaned 
before they are four months old, but run with 
the parents for several months. Both parents 
carry food for the young and both appear de- 
voted to them. As soon as they are allowed to 
romp or sleep in the sunshine they are under 
the ever-watchful eye of one of the parents. 
Woe to the accidental intruder who comes too 
close. A hawk or owl is warned off with far- 
reaching snarls and hisses. If high water, 
landslides, or the near presence of man threatens 
the youngsters they are carried one at a time 
to a far-off den. 
The hide-and-seek play appears to be the 
favourite one of the cubs, kits, or pups, as they 
