# Eurasian Otter (*Lutra lutra*) Eurasian otters are skilled swimmers that live in rivers and coastal waters. They hunt fish and other small animals. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Habitat:** Rivers, lakes, and coastal areas. - **Also known as:** Common Otter, European Otter ![Eurasian Otter](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426324/objects/4379.jpg) ## Appearance The Eurasian Otter has a sleek, streamlined body covered in dark brown fur, with a lighter cream or greyish patch on its throat and chest. Its long, thick, muscular tail tapers to a point, and it has small, rounded ears and prominent whiskers. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Carnivora - **Family:** Mustelidae - **Genus:** Lutra ## Interesting facts - Eurasian Otters can hold their breath and dive for up to 8 minutes! - Otters build cozy dens called 'holts' often hidden in riverbanks! - Sometimes, otters play by sliding down muddy banks just for fun! - They communicate using a variety of whistles, chirps, and even growls! ## Special abilities - **Underwater Vision:** Eurasian Otter can close its nostrils and ears to hunt fish effectively underwater, helping them stay focused. - **Whisker Radar:** Eurasian Otter has super-sensitive whiskers that help them detect prey movement in murky water, even in darkness. - **Waterproof Coat:** Eurasian Otter has dense, oily fur that traps air, keeping them warm and dry even in icy cold waters. - **Aquatic Agility:** Eurasian Otter can swim with surprising speed and agility, thanks to its streamlined body and webbed feet. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 90-130 cm - **Weight:** 5-12 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-15 years - **Speed:** 12 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-5 - **Gestation:** 60-62 days ## Diet & Feeding A clever hunter, this otter primarily eats fish and other small aquatic animals it catches in the water. - **Age differences:** Young otters learn to hunt by watching their mother; their diet becomes more varied. - **Primary Foods:** fish, frogs, crabs, crayfish, water birds, small mammals - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Brown Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*) — A primary fish prey in freshwater habitats. - **Eats:** Common Frog (*Rana temporaria*) — Catches frogs, especially in marshy areas. - **Shelter:** [Common Reed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-reed) (*Phragmites australis*) — Dense reed beds offer hiding spots and cover. - **Depends on:** Humans (*Homo sapiens*) — Conservation efforts are vital for otter survival. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Webbed Feet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/webbed-feet): Characterized by having toes connected by a membrane, typically aiding in swimming. - [Whiskered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/whiskered): Possessing prominent sensory hairs or vibrissae, often around the snout. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Thermoregulating](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/thermoregulating): Thermoregulating organisms maintain a stable internal body temperature despite fluctuations in the external environment. - [Tool Use](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/tool-use): This trait describes organisms that manipulate external objects to achieve a specific goal. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate Otters can bite — observe from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Eurasian Otter? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Eurasian Otter? 90-130 cm ### How much does Eurasian Otter weigh? 5-12 kg ### How long does Eurasian Otter live? 10-15 years ### How fast can Eurasian Otter move? 12 km/h ### What does Eurasian Otter eat? A clever hunter, this otter primarily eats fish and other small aquatic animals it catches in the water. ### Where is Eurasian Otter usually found? Rivers, lakes, and coastal areas. ### How does Eurasian Otter hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Naturschutz-Tierpark Görlitz](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/naturschutz-tierpark-g-rlitz) — Saxony, DE · Zoo - [Tierpark Hexentanzplatz Thale](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tierpark-hexentanzplatz-thale) — Sachsen-Anhalt, DE · Zoo - [Bavarian Forest National Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bavarian-forest-national-park) — Bayern, DE · Park - [Tierpark Neumünster](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tierpark-neumunster) — Schleswig-Holstein, DE · Zoo - [Heimat-Tierpark Olderdissen, Bielefeld](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/heimattierpark-olderdissen-bielefeld) — Nordrhein-Westfalen, DE · Zoo - [Naturpark Insel Usedom](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/usedom-island-nature-park) — Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, DE · Park [View all places to see Eurasian Otter](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/eurasian-otter) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Eurasian Otter: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-otter)