Otters are mammals and give birth to their cubs in a " holt " which is a warm, dry hole usually in stream banks or small caves amongst rocky boulders. Usually two or three cubs are born at the same time and they suckle milk from their mothers until they are able to find fish for themselves. They are born in the spring and by June they can be seen playing along the shore and in streams.

Physical description           

They have a thin, sleek coat and their hind feet are partly webbed. Their tails are long and pointed and their little ears stick out.

A fully grown otter is about the same size as a large cat but when running on the shore they have a loping gait and a high, arched back.

Feeding

Otters eat crabs and small fish but will sometimes steal bird's eggs.

Behaviour

Otters are extremely shy creatures so if you want to see them you will have to be up very early in the morning and be very quiet and patient.

They spend a lot of time in the sea on rocky shores looking for crabs and little fish to eat.

Although they spend a lot of time in the sea our otters are not sea otters but are actually fresh water river otters and they need to have access to fresh water to drink and to clean the salt out of their coats every day.

Otters are very playful and inquisitive even when they are grown up and they are great fun to watch.

Even if you don't see any otters you might find their droppings or spraints which are black and twisted and give off a funny sweet smell.

Threats

Their aren't many animals which will hunt and eat otters but a fox or badger might attack the baby otters. Otters are very protective over their territory and they could scare your dog away if it comes near, so keep an eye on your dog when you are out by the sea.

Otters are out and about in the early morning and evening and many are killed as they cross the road. Make sure your Mum and Dad drive slowly on the narrow island roads!

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