Peatland wildlife
|
Otter (Lutra lutra)
|
 |
Otter (Lutra lutra)
Description
Fens are not a favoured habitat for many mammals but one species
that occurs there is the otter. These large semi-aquatic creatures
are mainly nocturnal and rarely encountered during the day.
They are well adapted to life in water with a thick waterproof
coat, webbed feet and thick powerful tail to propel them through
the water. They see well under water and can pick up vibrations
from potential prey with their whiskers.
Behaviour
Although otters are terrestrial mammals they are always to
be found near a reliable source of fresh water for bathing and
to satisfy their appetite for fish. Although fish are a major
component of their diet, they will also eat small mammals, nesting
birds, frogs and invertebrates. The eat around a kilogram of
food each day and therefore their hunting ground can extend
along 30km of water depending on the availability of food.
The most obvious sign that otters inhabit an area is the conspicuous
deposit of droppings, or spraints, which are used to mark their
territory. They usually make their nests, or holts, in places
concealed by tree roots and vegetation, lining them with grass,
reeds and moss.
Breeding
Otters belong to the Mustidae family, the same as stoats, weasels,
martens and badgers, characterised by scent producing anal glands.
They breed once a year, producing a litter of between one and
five blind but furred cubs in the summer months when food is
most abundant. The young depend on their mothers for several
months, breaking away from the family group at between 7 and
12 months and finally reaching maturity at two years.
Status and Protection
Local
During the 1960s and 70s water pollution caused a major decline
in otter populations in many European countries, but their numbers
have remained fairly constant in Northern Ireland. In Northern
Ireland otters are protected at all times by Schedule
5 of the Wildlife Order. The otter is also listed on Schedule
6 and 7 of the Wildlife Order, which means that they may
not be killed or taken by certain methods or sold dead or alive
at any time.
European
The Otter is listed in Annex
II and IV of the Habitats Directive and in Appendix
II of the Bern Convention.
