438 COMMON OTTER. 
principally on fish. It occurs also in the north- 
ern parts of America^ and particularly in Canada, 
where it appears to arrive at a larger size than 
in Europe. In the river Euphrates, on the con- 
trary, it is said to be found no larger than a com- 
mon Cat; but it is probable, that this is in reality 
a different species, viz. the L. Lutreola, or smaller 
Otter, hereafter to be described. The usual 
length of the Otter is near two feet from nose to 
tail, and of the tail about sixteen inches. Its co- 
lour is a deep brown, with a small light-coloured 
patch on each side the nose, and another under 
the chin: the throat and breast are ash-coloured: 
the head is flat and broad : the mouth small ; the 
teeth strong; the lips very thick and muscular; 
the ears short and rounded; and the eyes small, 
and situated near the nose: the neck is very 
thick; the legs short and thick, loosely joined to 
the body, and so placed as to be capable of being 
brought on a line with the body, and of perform- 
ing the office of fins ; the toes, which are five in 
number on all the feet, are connected by broad and 
strong webs, and the whole foot is naked or with- 
out hair. The Otter (says Mr. Pennant) shews 
great sagacity in forming its habitation : it bur- 
rows under ground in the banks of some river or 
lake; and always makes the entrance of its hole 
under water; working upwards to the surface of 
the earth, and, before it reaches the top, makes 
several holts or lodges, that in case of high floods 
it may have a retreat; for no animal affects lying 
drier ; and then makes a minute orifice for the 
