Species · GBIF taxon 2433753
Eurasian Otter
Lutra lutraAlso known as European Otter, Common Otter, Old World Otter, Eurasian River Otter
Eurasian otters are sleek, semiaquatic predators equipped with dense, water-repellent fur and webbed feet that make them incredibly agile swimmers. They are highly territorial, patrolling extensive river systems, lakes, and coastal areas where they scent-mark their boundaries using sweet-smelling droppings called spraint. While they primarily hunt fish, their opportunistic diet also includes amphibians, crustaceans, and waterfowl.
SemiaquaticTerritorialCarnivore
Licensed referenceBernard Landgraf / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
- diet
- Carnivorous, primarily fish, amphibians, crustaceans, and small waterbirds
- family
- Mustelidae
- threats
- Water pollution, habitat destruction, road collisions, and drowning in fishing gear
- life Span
- 8 to 12 years in the wild
NT
Capable of delivering a painful bite if cornered; observe quietly from a safe distance.
Listed as Near Threatened due to past declines from pesticide pollution, habitat loss, and direct persecution.
Avoid disturbing potential holts or resting sites, and keep dogs on leashes near sensitive riverbanks.- Look for spraints: Search flat rocks, fallen logs, and under bridges for sweet-smelling, fishy droppings used to mark territory.
- Watch the water: Scan calm river surfaces at dawn or dusk for a V-shaped wake and a small, flat-headed profile.
- Listen for whistles: Listen closely near riverbanks for high-pitched whistles, which mothers and cubs use to communicate.