9 2 
CARNIVORES. 
genus, but likewise the best known; and many of our remarks on its habits 
will also apply equally well to the others. 
In size this species occupies a kind of central position in the group, the average 
length from the snout to the root of the tail being about 26 to 28 inches, and that 
of the tail 15 to 16 inches, while the weight is from 16 to 18, up to as much as 24 
lbs. The fur consists of a soft under-fur, in which the hairs are whitish grey, 
with brown tips, and of longer stiff hairs, which are greyish at the base, and rich 
brown at their tips on the upper-parts of the body and the outer surfaces of the 
limbs; the cheeks, throat, the under-parts of the body, and the inner surfaces of 
the limbs being brownish grey. The upper margin of the naked nose terminates 
behind in an angle, while, as in the other species, the muzzle is provided with long 
“ whiskers.” In the Indian variety, which was formerly regarded as a distinct 
species, the fur of the back is generally grizzled, while the size of the animal is 
slightly less than in the ordinary European form. The claws on all the feet are 
well developed, and there are four premolar teeth in the upper jaw. 
The common otter is found all over Europe in suitable localities, 
Distribution. 1 . 
and also extends over a large portion of Asia northwards of the 
Himalaya. It is likewise represented by the ordinary form in the North-Western 
SKELETON OF THE COMMON OTTER. 
Himalaya, and by the above-mentioned smaller and greyer variety in India and 
Ceylon, as well as in some of the districts to the eastwards of the Bay of Bengal. 
Writing of the habits of the common otter, Bell observes that 
HcLDltS. ... 
“it swims and dives with great readiness, and with peculiar ease 
and elegance of movements; and although its action on land is far from being 
awkward and difficult, yet it is certainly in the water that the beautiful adaptation 
of its structure to its habits is most strikingly exhibited. It swims in nearly a 
horizontal position, and dives instantaneously after the fish that may glide beneath 
it, or pursues it under water, changing its course as the fish darts in various 
directions to escape from it, and, when the prey is secured, brings it on shore to its 
retreat to feed. As the otter lives exclusively on fish, when it can procure them, 
it frequents lakes, rivers, smaller streams, or ponds, and not unfrequently descends 
to the sea; and the havoc which it makes among the finny inhabitants is almost 
incredible. In feeding, it holds the fish between its fore-paws, eating first the head, 
and then downwards to the vent, leaving the tail.” The fish actually eaten by the 
otter form, however, but a small proportion of those captured; this animal being 
one of those which appears to delight in killing for killing’s sake. In India the 
