musteline This animal is so different from their relatives that zoologists are ready to recognize its separate unit.Otter, photo which is very difficult to do because of her care, living on the shores of freshwater.She prefers mountain rivers or whose rapid flow prevents water from freezing in the winter, as well as rocky and pebbly bottom.Therefore, in the valleys of large waterways can be found rarely.It is known that for the endangered species of animals and plants, there is a special list - Red Book.River otter, unfortunately also introduced there, and not because she was the victim of uncontrolled hunting.The fact that this small predator can live only in very clean water, and industrial growth in Western Europe in the late XIX century, is very polluted environment.Otter has completely disappeared from the expanses of Switzerland, the UK, Spain, Sweden and the Netherlands (now there are attempts of introduced animals in their habitats).And in other parts of the Old World animal population decreased significantly.Subspecies of these creatures are found in North and Latin America, in Asia (up to the Arabian Peninsula and Southern China) and North Africa.And, of course, otter
otter - an excellent swimmer.Everything in her physique is adapted to a long stay in the water.The body is streamlined, elongate, hind legs longer than the front, between the fingers - membrane.Almost invisible tabs are provided with a special valve which prevents water from entering the auditory sink.Since the animal does not have a thick layer of fat (and remains flexible and fast), all hope in the preservation of heat relies on the fur.It is thick, with coarse hairs of guard and gentle wavy undercoat.But most importantly, it is absolutely not get wet!When driving in water otter help flat head and a long muscular tail.Color otters have dark-brown above, and light her belly, a little silver.
Eurasian otter - small predator.Males body length of 90 cm and weight 10 kg, female - considerably less (55 kg cm and 6).Their main food - small fish, but do not disdain these hunters eggs and chicks of river birds, frogs, caddis flies, water voles.Plot habitat of one individual is quite small - 250 m of the coastal strip, which she marks with excrement.But neighbors otters live peacefully, and in times of famine agree in places where there is food.The animal digs a permanent hole, the entrance to which is opened under water.The very same lair - dry, warm, lined with moss, grass and leaves.In winter, the animals are kept close to open water or scours.
hunt otter prefers the morning and evening.During the day she is basking in the sun, perched on a rock or the trunk of a fallen tree.The nature of her cheerful and mischievous.Otters often played with themselves: publishing yelps and chirping, they like to slide into the water from the inclined surfaces.In captivity, quickly tamed, they know the owner and flippers, like a cat.In the wild live up to 10 years. Otter - a very caring mother.His brood (usually it 3 or 4 cubs) female valiantly protects even from the man.Youngsters living with a parent about a year.
