Select a subject to preview related courses: Eurasian otters have several different ways of communicating with other otters, even though they don't live in groups. Eurasian otter. Along the high-rainfall coasts of Prince William Sound the North American river otter uses many large dens close to the shore (Bowyer etal. They are listed as near threatened, but their population in most areas seems to be recovering. Create an account to start this course today. The Eurasian otter is a member of the Mustelid family which includes stoats, minks and pine martens in Ireland. The IUCN status has been described as precautionary. Basically, it means this species could become threatened in the future. several factors have been suggested to explain This otter is extremely susceptible to human destruction of its territory although there are signs of increased otter activity closer to towns etc. They build their nests on land, sometimes by digging tunnels, and sometimes by using existing shelters such as tree roots, caves, and vegetation. European otters live throughout Europe, North Africa and Asia, inhabiting streams, rivers, lakes, freshwater and peat swamp forests, ocean shores, rice fields, fjords, caves, and other terrestrial habitats close by waterways. As you might expect, given their semiaquatic lifestyle, much of the diet of a Eurasian otter comes from the water. In some areas, a female Alaska se… Jordi Ruiz-Olmo, Juan Jiménez, Diet diversity and breeding of top predators are determined by habitat stability and structure: a case study with the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra L.), European Journal of Wildlife Research, 10.1007/s10344-008-0226-3, 55, 2, (133-144), (2008). Weaning takes place when they are 3 months old. Given its wide range, it is not surprising that this species is only listed as near threatened, which is one of the lower concern ratings for endangered species. Get access risk-free for 30 days, They live near water, including streams, swamps, lakes, and the ocean. They are solitary animals unless in a mating pair or a mothers with her young. The European otter, a semi-aquatic species, lives along coasts and in a wide variety of freshwater habitats. Log in here for access. 1993 , Macdonald & Strachan 1999 , Jędrzejewska et al. They enjoy the freshwater but they are also known to live in the saltwater of the oceans as well. However, sometimes they form loosely knit groups numbering as many as six animals. Eurasian otter - Lutra lutra (Linnaeus, 1758) Images from the web Quick facts Threat status Europe ... and it has a sufficient large habitat. Though currently believed to be extinct in Liechtenstein and Switzerland, they are now very common in Latvia, along the coast of Norway, in the western regions of Spain and Portugal and across Great Britain, especially Shetland, where 12% of the UK breeding population exists. According to the scientific resources, the total population size of European otters in Belarus is around 12, 000 individuals and in Sweden - 500-1000 individuals. Reports now state that otters inhabit every county in the UK – great news for the otter! Currently this species is classified as Near Threatened (NT) and its numbers today are decreasing. Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) is a species belonging to the Weasel family and is known as an indicator of ecological health of rivers, as they prefer aquatic environments rich in cover and food resources such as stable shelters and homes that are not affected by … They live near streams, rivers, lakes, swamps, and along coastlines, depending on the country. Their preferred habitat is located on the banks of rivers bordered by forests, with thick vegetation or stone walls. Hairy-Nosed Otter: Habitat, Breeding & Population, Over 83,000 lessons in all major subjects, {{courseNav.course.mDynamicIntFields.lessonCount}}, Spotted-Necked Otter: Habitat, Diet, Lifespan & Facts, Smooth-Coated Otter: Habitat, Adaptations & Facts, North American River Otter: Habitat, Diet, Predators & Facts, Southern River Otter: Habitat, Population & Adaptations, African Clawless Otter: Habitat, Population & Lifespan, Asian Small-Clawed Otter: Habitat, Breeding & Adaptations, European Mink: Facts, Habitat, Adaptations & Population, What is a Mongoose? The Eurasian otter is a solitary animal with the female rearing the cubs on her own. Habitat correlates of the Eurasian otter Lutra lutra recolonizing Central Poland Jerzy Romanowski , Marcin Brzeziński , and Michał Żmihorski Centre for Ecological Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Dziekanów Leśny ul. Group Bull. Gestation is for 60 to 70 days, each female bearing 2 or 3 pups. They also eat crustaceans, frogs and even small water birds. The European otter has a wide distribution but no overall population estimate is available. Forestry intern Emma shares her knowledge and love of these secretive mammals. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. The pups are 99 to 122gm when born, their eyes open at one month and after two months they start to leave the nest. {{courseNav.course.mDynamicIntFields.lessonCount}} lessons - Definition, Types & Properties, Aluminum Hydroxide: Formula & Side Effects, What is Dolomitization? The Eurasian otter is the nearly widely distributed otter species, its range including parts of Asia and Africa, as well as being spread across Europe, south to Switzerland, they are now very common in Latvia, along the coast of Norway, in the western regions of Spain and Portugal and across Great Britain, particularly Shetland, where 12% of the UK breeding population exists. Distribution: the Eurasian otter exists in scattered populations in the British Isles, Europe, Scandinavia, most of Russia and North Africa. European otters live throughout Europe, North Africa and Asia, inhabiting streams, rivers, lakes, freshwater and peat swamp forests, ocean shores, rice fields, fjords, caves, and other terrestrial habitats close by waterways. They will stay with her for a little over a year, and they can mate and have babies of their own after they are two to three years old. They may even prey on insects, snakes, lizards and some small species of rodent. All otter species occupy a home range. Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub, 2. Remonti L, Prigioni C, Balestrieri A, Sgrosso S, Priore G. 2008. You can test out of the Geographic Range. European Otter on The IUCN Red List site -, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurasian_otter, http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/12419/0. Scat surveys have become the method of choice to monitor species distribution range, abundance and habitat use. We'll look at its habitat, diet, and lifespan, as well as some interesting facts. Growing human-wildlife conflicts and legal conservation obligations increased the need for precise information on Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) population parameters for species status assessment and wildlife management measures. Habitat. The Eurasian otter is the near widely distributed otter species, its range including parts of Asia and Africa, as well as being spread across Europe, south to Switzerland, they are now very common in Latvia, along the glide of Norway, in the western regions of Spain and Portugal and across Great Britain, particularly Shetland, where 12% of the UK breeding population exists. Otters are semi-aquatic animals eating fish, frogs, crabs, small birds and mammals. We address the process of otter recolonization and habitat utilization in Central Poland over 14 years. 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Information: this eurasian otter habitat exceptional in Central Poland over 14 years if the same gender tries enter. Eurasia south of the weasel family with a long lithe body, compared to the IUCN Red List the! Are nocturnal, so most foraging is done at night and sometimes shellfish.

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