
A fine catch of otters 
The Otter, 
an 
Elusive 
Aquatic 
Animal 
with 
a 
Valuable 
Gon 
Part Eight 
Modern Trapping Methods 
HE otter is a rare animal in 
most parts and, while found in 
T 
greater or lesser numbers 
throughout Canada, is never very 
plentiful in any one region. The trap- 
ping of the otter has never been carried 
to the extent of specialization, as far as 
we know, for the very good reason that 
it would not pay. One may travel a 
hundred miles on a wilderness stream 
and never see the sign of an otter, and 
often when the inexperienced trapper 
comes across their signs he will figure 
there are twice as many otters as actu- 
ally exist there. Therefore the trap- 
ping of the otter should be considered 
as merely incidental, a sort of sideline, 
for we never hear of anyone making a 
good thing from that particular fur- 
bearer. 
Like the beaver, the otter is amphi- 
bious and can remain under the surface 
of the water for a surprising time. 
The otter and mink belong to a family 
closely related, both being carnivorous, 
or flesh eaters, while the beaver is 
strictly a vegetarian. An otter is con- 
siderably larger than a good big cat, 
and his tapering tail is over a foot in 
length, the latter being covered with 
fur to the very tip and hence valuable. 
Otter fur, after it goes through the 
furrier’s hands, commands a high price 
in the market. Originally it is of two 
distinct layers, the outer coat being 
composed of long, rather coarse and 
stiff guard hairs, and the inner soft 
210 
By RAYMOND THOMPSON 
and almost like plush in its texture. 
Otters live to a ripe old age and in the 
north country, at least, turn gray 
around the head when they get along in 
years. 
The otter is astonishingly active, es- 
pecially in the water. He takes the 
frosted cake every time for swimming 
stunts. His muscles are so powerful 
and withal so supple, his pelt so loose, 
he can all but turn himself inside out. 
His chief food is fish. To watch an 
otter in pursuit of a fish is something 
highly educative to the nature lover, 
for the animal actually swims the 
finny denizen down, grabs it between 
his muscular jaws and retires to the 
bank to devour it at leisure. And we’ll 
say this for the otter, never have we 
known him to waste food—he kills for 
his meals only, not for sport. 
The otter makes a track, which, once 
being acquainted with, the trapper can 
never forget. There is a certain ball 
on the sole of the foot which makes a 
very distinct “seal,” unlike that in the 
track of any other wild animal. And 
since the otter travels a lot on land, 
as well as in water, it will behoove 
the trapper to accustom himself to the 
recognition of this track. 
HE method of locomotion herein 
described is peculiar to the otter. 
It consists of a series of alternate hops 
and slides. The animal will run a dis- 
tance on the ice, throw himself flat on 
his belly with forefeet doubled back and 
back ones trailing behind, and indulge 
in a sensational slide such as no base- 
runner ever experienced. 
UT this method of locomotion does 
not provide enough sport for the 
naturally playful otter, so he has regu- 
lar slides along the steep banks for 
further indulging his instincts. These 
slides are sometimes confused with the 
trails beavers make in dragging their 
brush to the water’s edge. Ordinarily 
there is a lot of difference between the 
two, but we have seen one or two 
beaver trails, which, sloping directly to 
the river’s edge, had been converted 
by the energetic otter into a slide which 
suited his particular requirements. 
The idea is this: an otter crawls out 
on the shore and climbs slowly up the 
steep bank till he gains the desired spot. 
Then he throws himself flat on his belly 
and slides downhill into the water. A 
family of otters will soon wear a con- 
siderable trail in such a manner. 
ing from the water as they do, they 
wet down the slide and make it slick — 
so that their rate of travel is exhili- 
arating. Some stunt, we say! 
peculiar trait of the otter may be turned 
to account in trapping him, as we will 
later describe. 
While the natural haunt of the otter 
is along streams where fish are plenti- 
ful, he often travels amazing distances 
overland. Two particular instances of — 
Com- — 
This ¥ 
