What kind of animal is the Eurasian otter? We will explain its characteristics, ecology, and habitat. As its name suggests, this otter is distributed quite widely from Africa to Asia and Europe. However, it is an endangered species.
What is a Eurasian otter? Basic stats
The Eurasian otter is a carnivorous mammal in the order Carnivora, family Mustelidae, genus Lutra. Its scientific name is Lutra lutra, and its English name is Eurasian river otter or Eurasian otter. Its body length is 58-80cm, its weight is 5-12kg, and its tail length is 30-50cm. The list of information is as follows.
| Japanese（和名） | ユーラシアカワウソ（ヨーロッパカワウソ） |
| English（英名） | Eurasian river otter Eurasian otter |
| scientific name(学名) | Lutra lutra |
| classification（分類） | Mammalia、Carnivora、 Mustelidae、Lutra 哺乳綱、食肉目、イタチ科、カワウソ属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | NEAR THREATENED |
| Length（体長） | 58～80cm |
| Weight（体重） | ５～12kg |
Habitat
The Eurasian otter (Ursus ursus) is widely distributed across the Eurasian continent, including Algeria, Indonesia (Sumatra), Sri Lanka, Tunisia, and Morocco.
What are its characteristics? What kind of creature is it?
The Eurasian otter (European otter) has a black-brown or gray-brown back, and a pale yellow or gray-white back from the throat to the cheeks, chest, and abdomen. Otters live near water and have webbed feet between the fingers of their limbs, so they can swim. They usually live in rivers, lakes, marshes, and coasts. They are nocturnal, but can also be active in the early morning.
What is their personality like?
Eurasian otters (European otters) are very cooperative, as they sometimes go out to sea and sometimes hunt with their companions.
What is their ecology like?
Eurasian otters (European otters) mainly eat crustaceans and fish, but they also eat frogs, birds, and small mammals such as rabbits. They breed in the water, have a gestation period of about two months, and can give birth to 1-3 pups at a time. The nursing period is two months and the lifespan is 10 years.
Do they have any natural predators?
Natural predators of the Eurasian otter (European otter) include crocodiles and jaguars.
Is the Eurasian otter an endangered species?
Unfortunately, the Eurasian otter is designated as an endangered species (red list). Furthermore, international trade is severely restricted by the Washington Convention. Hunting for fur, destruction of habitat and resulting reduction in prey, bycatch, and overhunting as pets are progressing, and the situation is quite critical. In Japan, it was designated as a national natural monument in 1964 and a special natural monument in 1965. Research is also progressing. There is a possibility that it will become extinct like the Japanese river otter.
Can Eurasian otters be kept as pets?
Since the Eurasian otter is designated as an endangered species, it is quite difficult for ordinary people to keep it as a pet. You can see it at zoos and aquariums. There are also event information and exhibitions, so check it out at shops. Visit the website and check the map.
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