Mammal 🦦
🦦
Lutra lutra
| Size | 57–95 cm About the length of a skateboard |
|---|---|
| Weight | 5–12 kg About the weight of a large bag of dog food |
| Lifespan | 4–5 years |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| M vs F | Males are significantly larger — up to 30% heavier than females |
| Habitat | Clean rivers, lakes, estuaries, coastal areas; a key indicator species for water quality |
| Best time | Winter (bare riverbanks make them easier to spot at dawn and dusk) |
| Conservation | UK: Amber NT |
Did you know?
UK otters were nearly wiped out by organochlorine pesticides in the 1970s — they have since made a remarkable recovery on rivers across the country
UK otters were nearly wiped out by organochlorine pesticides in the 1970s — they have since made a remarkable recovery on rivers across the country
More for experts
Their fur traps a layer of air for insulation rather than using blubber, so otters must spend hours each day grooming to maintain waterproofing
Often confused with
Mink (smaller, darker, no pale throat), Coypu (larger, blunt muzzle — very rare in UK)
Mink (smaller, darker, no pale throat), Coypu (larger, blunt muzzle — very rare in UK)