otter

otter

The otter is a mammal of Lutrinae subfamily, which belongs to Carnivorous order and family Weasel. It is in Europe, Asia, Africa, in the southern part of North America and throughout South America, including Brazil and Argentina. Its natural habitat is the river, where search foods such as fish, crustaceans, reptiles and, less often, birds and small mammals.

Generally, the otter is nocturnal, sleeping during the day on the bank of the river and waking up in the night to find food. Social groups are formed by females and their offspring. Males do not live in groups and only join a female in mating season. The otter gestation period is about 2 months, producing from one to five pups.

The adult otter is between 55-120 centimeters in length (including the tail) and weigh up to 35 kilos. Although their meat is not marketed on a large scale, the otter is part of the list of animals threatened with extinction mainly by the high value of your skin and the depredation of ecosystems, where the otter is adapted.

This animal has a coat with two layers, one external and another internal waterproof and used for thermal insulation. The body, in turn, is hydrodynamic, prepared to swim at high speed.

The otter is capable of whistling, squeaking and squealing. You can stay submerged for 6 minutes and swimming can reach the speed of 12 km / h.