70 WATCHED BY WILD ANIMALS 
are variously called. They may hide behind 
mother, behind a log, or beneath the water. 
The otter has a powerful, crushing bite and 
jaws that hang on like a vise. A tug-of-war 
between two youngsters, each with teeth set 
in the opposite ends of a stick, probably is a 
good kind of preparation for the future. They 
may singly or sometimes two at a time ride on 
mother’s back as she swims about low in the 
water. When they are a little older mother 
slips from under them, much to their fright and 
excitement. She thus forces them to learn to 
swim. Though most habits are likely instinc- 
tive they are trained in swimming. 
The otter’s two or two-and-a-half foot body 
is carried on four short legs which have webbed 
and clawed feet. One weighs from fifteen to 
twenty-five pounds. Clad in a coat of fur and a 
sheet of fat he enjoys the icy streams in winter. 
He also enjoys life in the summer. Though with 
habits of his own he has ways of the weasel and 
of the sea otter. 
He sends forth a variety of sounds and calls. 
He whistles a signal or chirps with content- 
ment; he hisses and he bristles up and snarls; 
he sniffs and gives forth growls of many kinds. 
His active brain, eternal alertness, keen 
senses, and agile body gave him a rare equip- 
ment in the struggle for existence. He is in 
