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
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Near ThreatenedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNear ThreatenedRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Fish
- Frogs
- Crayfish
Predators
- Red Fox
- Golden Eagle
- Domestic Dog
ThreatsWater pollution, habitat destruction, road collisions, and drowning in fishing gear
HabitatsRivers, lakes, streams, freshwater marshes, and rocky coastal waters
Life span8 to 12 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyMustelidae
- SpeciesLutra lutra
Native
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Capable of delivering a painful bite if cornered; observe quietly from a safe distance.
- What to notice
- Look for a long, streamlined body with a broad, flattened head and a thick, tapered tail.
- Support conservation
- Avoid disturbing potential holts or resting sites, and keep dogs on leashes near sensitive riverbanks.
Responsible observation
- 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.
Close Relative no rights reserved, uploaded by Adam Jackson · cc0
Close Relative Marshal Hedin from San Diego / CC BY-SA 2.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative "Asian Small-Clawed Otter" by SidPix is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
Family Member kallerna / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
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