56 



NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA 68 



HEARING 



No observation that I know of demonstrates that the sense of 

 hearing is either particularly acute or poor. The sound of a camera 

 shutter clicking at a distance of 3 to 5 m. usually causes an otter 

 to glance alertly about, but does not cause alarm. Both wild and 

 captive otters soon become accustomed to routine sounds of human 

 activity. 



TASTE 



Captive otters, when given a variety of foods, often licked each 

 item, then went back to eat first the food which they apparently 

 considered most tasty. Certain foods were obviously preferred, 

 presumably because of their taste. 



TOUGH 



The forepaws and vibrissae appear to be very sensitive, and 

 they are important in finding food (see Food Gathering and 

 Sensory Vibrissae). 



