Lutra Lutra

The European Otter, this rare but widespread species is quite at home in the brook beside the vineyard, living in families as shown in these captures over the last couple of years and are being more frequently seen recently.

The elusive otter is one of our top predators, feeding mainly on fish such as trout (as seen in the top right picture!), waterbirds, amphibians and crustaceans. Otters have their kits in underground burrows, known as ‘holts’. Lithe swimmers, the young are in the water by 10 weeks of age. Otters are well suited to a life on the water as they have webbed feet, dense fur to keep them warm, and can close their ears and nose when underwater. They require clean rivers, with an abundant source of food and plenty of vegetation to hide their secluded holts.

Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981, listed as Near Threatened on the global IUCN Red List of Threatened Species,  Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework, European Protected Species under Annex IV of the European Habitats Directive. Now found throughout the country but absent from parts of central and southern England, the Isle of Man, the Isles of Scilly and the Channel Islands.