🏡 HABITAT - Eurasian otters can be found around rivers, streams, canals, lakes, wetlands, estuaries and coastlines. They need good feeding areas as well as secluded places where they can rest and raise their young.

🐟 DIET - Otters are carnivores and mainly eat fish, including eels and trout. Their varied diet can also include crustaceans, amphibians, waterbirds, insects and small mammals.

📏 SIZE - Body length: approximately 60–80 cm Tail length: approximately 32–56 cm Weight: usually around 6–8 kg

❤️ LIFESPAN - Around 5–10 years on average, although life in the wild can be challenging and many do not reach this age.

🌿 UK STATUS - Otters suffered a severe decline in Britain during the 20th century, largely associated with pollution and harmful chemicals entering waterways. Following restrictions on these chemicals, improvements in water quality and conservation efforts, otters have made an encouraging recovery. They are now fully protected by law in the UK, although threats including road traffic, habitat degradation, pollution and entanglement in fishing equipment remain.

Did You Know?

- An otter's home is called a holt. Holts are sheltered resting and breeding places that can be found amongst tree roots, riverbanks, rocks and dense vegetation.

- They're built for the water. Otters have webbed feet, powerful muscular tails and extremely dense fur to help keep them warm. They can even close their ears and nostrils when underwater.

- Look for the clues. You may find evidence of an otter long before you see one. Five-toed footprints, spraints, well-used paths and smooth slides down muddy riverbanks can all reveal that an otter has been nearby.