General Information  

size: 102-138 cm (body 57-70 cm; tail 35-40 cm) weight: 5-11 kg

The Eurasian Otter is characterized by its broad head, elongated snout ending in a distinct W-shaped nose, and dark brown fur, which is lighter on the underside. It has a long body, thick tail, and short legs. Predominantly nocturnal, this social and playful species shows overlapping home ranges among adult males, females, and cubs, both spatially and temporally. Litters typically consist of 2-3 cubs covered in pale grey fur. Interestingly, young otters are not natural swimmers due to their fluffy coat, which hinders movement in water. Mothers often drag them into the water at around 16 weeks old, where they quickly learn to swim and hunt on their own. 

Adapted for an aquatic lifestyle, Eurasian otters have webbed feet, the ability to close their small ears and nose underwater, and very dense, short fur that traps air for insulation. Their sensitive vibrissae (whiskers) around the snout help detect prey. Vocalizations vary, including high-pitched whistles between mothers and cubs, twittering during play, and cat-like sounds when fighting. Typically found in various freshwater habitats, their diet primarily consists of fish, often making up over 80% of their intake. However, they also consume crustaceans, amphibians, reptiles, birds, eggs, insects, and worms in varying proportions

Threats
- Industrial, residential, and commercial developments leading to habitat disruption.
- Removal of riverside vegetation for agricultural expansion.
- Pollution of water bodies caused by waste from industries, households, and agricultural fields (nitrate fertilizers, untreated sewage, or farm slurry).
- Construction of hydroelectric projects, dams, and reservoirs altering river ecosystems.
- Overfishing resulting in a decline in the otters' prey base.
- Hunting and poaching for their furs are threatening their population.