Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra)

Distribution data supplied by the Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS). To interrogate UK data visit the NBN Atlas.Map Help

Summary

Description

The Eurasian river otter is a member of the weasel family with a long lithe body, short legs and a thick tail. Its streamlined shape and webbed feet make it an agile swimmer. The amphibious lifestyle of the otter is aided by its ability to close its small ears and nose and a thick coat of short fur, which insulates the animal by trapping a layer of air. The coat is predominantly brown, with a paler underside. Adults can reach up to 1.1 m in length weighing 7 – 12 kg. They are considered shy and elusive animals, however, their playful side is revealed through games of catch with pebbles.  The Eurasian river otter requires access to water for feeding where it can be seen swimming low in the water with only the ears, eyes and nose visible above the surface. They also need terrestrial areas for resting and breeding. Therefore, they can be found in a variety of semi-aquatic habitats from lakes and rivers to estuaries and salt marshes.

Recorded distribution in Britain and Ireland

The Eurasian river otter has been recorded all over the UK, with most of the population residing in Scotland. Particularly important otter habitats are the coasts and islands of western Scotland and Shetland. 

Global distribution

The Eurasian river otter is widely distributed, spanning three continents: Europe, Asia and Africa. In Europe, its distribution stretches from central Denmark in the west, via west Germany, the Netherlands, western France to Spain.  It is also recorded from most of Scandinavia and southern Italy. However, it is extinct or reduced to isolated subpopulations in a corridor stretching from central Denmark, via the western parts of Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, the eastern parts of France, Switzerland, the western parts of Austria to central Italy. Russia bridges the gap between Europe and Asia, with otter populations observed in most of the country excluding the tundra and areas of permafrost in the North. It is also found from the Near and Middle East into South Asia, where otters are reported in almost all countries particularly the Himalayan river systems. Its range extends east through South-East Asia ending before Japan where it is likely extinct.  In Africa, the Eurasian River Otter population spans Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia.

Habitat

Eurasian river otters are found near lakes, rivers, estuaries and coastal waters in home ranges that extend over tens of kilometres. Coastal populations are observed feeding in the shallows, where they hunt primarily for fish. However, these colonies are never fully marine as the otters require freshwater for grooming salt from the fur and terrestrial habitats for breeding and resting.  During the day the otters reside in holts (underground dens) that can be dug into tree root systems and river banks, while those on the coast may be sheltered by piles of boulders.

Depth range

Terrestrial, Intertidal and Subtidal

Identifying features

  • A brown coat of fur, often paler on the underside.
  • Up to 1.1 m long.
  • Body shape is long and slender, with short legs and a thick tail.
  • Small eyes and nose.
  • Webbed feet.

Additional information

The Eurasian river otter is a solitary animal, with adults only tending to associate with one another for reproduction. If a small number of otters are observed together, the group will typically comprise an adult female with cub(s). A mother will feed a cub until approximately 4 months old, but the cub may remain associated with the mother for up to 12 months.

The Eurasian river otter suffered a rapid decline in the 1950s caused the effective loss of most of the English population by 1980, whilst in Scotland, the population experienced only a small decline. Since then, evidence suggests a recovering population in all parts of the UK, although Scotland is still likely to host the largest population (> 77% of total population in 2004; JNCC, 2007).

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Further information sources

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Bibliography

  1. Tyler-Walters, H., James, B., Carruthers, M., Wilding, C., Durkin, O., Lacey, C., Philpott, E., Adams, L., Chaniotis, P. & Wilkes, P., 2016. Descriptions of Scottish Priority Marine Features (PMFs). Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report, no. 406 

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  4. Scottish Natural Heritage., 2010. Otters and development. Scottish wildlife series. [On-line] ​Scottish Natural Heritage. Available from: ​http://www.snh.org.uk/publications/on-line/wildlife/otters/default.asp

Datasets

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  22. Lancashire Environment Record Network, 2018. LERN Records. Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/esxc9a accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-10-01.

  23. Leicestershire and Rutland Environmental Records Centre, 2017. Leicestershire and Rutland Protected and Conservation Priority/BAP Specie. Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/7ve2nt accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-10-01.

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  32. North East Scotland Biological Records Centre, 2017. North East Scotland Terrestrial Mammals 1900-2017 (excluding squirrels, wild cats and marine mammals). Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/qt0mly accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-10-01.

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  42. Staffordshire Ecological Record, 2017. SER Site-based Surveys. Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/h2yko0 accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-10-02.

  43. Staffordshire Ecological Record, 2017. SER Species-based Surveys. Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/q8qen3 accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-10-02.

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  45. Suffolk Biodiversity Information Service., 2017. Suffolk Biodiversity Information Service (SBIS) Dataset. Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/ab4vwo accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-10-02.

  46. The British Association for Shooting and Conservation, 2018. UK casual records from members of BASC - 1980 onwards. Occurance dataset: https://basc.org.uk/ accessed via NBNAtlas.org on 2018-10-02.

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  53. The Wildlife Information Centre, 2017. The Wildlife Information Centre - LBS Network Strategic Survey. Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/7l4izb accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-10-02.

  54. The Wildlife Information Centre, 2018. Borders Backyard Biodiversity. Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/jfymio accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-10-02.

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Citation

This review can be cited as:

Wilson, C.M. 2017. Lutra lutra Eurasian river otter. In Tyler-Walters H. and Hiscock K. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Reviews, [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 26-12-2024]. Available from: https://marlin.ac.uk/species/detail/2317

Last Updated: 11/12/2017

  1. Eurasian river otter
  2. Lutra lutra