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2008-11-20  JOHNS CREEK HERALD | River Otter: Comedian of the animal kingdom
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| | by Charlie Kelly |
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November 19, 2008
JOHNS CREEK - Humankind has enjoyed a long standing fascination with the even dozen species of otters that are scattered throughout the world and are native to all continents except Australia and Antarctica. These frolic-some animals, with their stubby legs and elongated bodies, are at home on either land or in aquatic environments. While gliding through water, the otter can only be described as poetry in motion.
They are usually one of the star attractions at many of the large public aquarium's that have opened in recent years. While visiting the Chattanooga Aquarium several years back, a trio of river otters performed their water oriented acrobatics to the delight of a group of first grade students who were enjoying an organized class-room visit to that facility. The youngsters chattered, shrieked and clapped their delight at the effortless under water antics of those three otters.
River otters are sometimes sighted along the Chattahoochee River as it winds its way through suburban Atlanta. Unfortunately, from personal observation and scientific evidence, this only true amphibious member of the mustelidae family, which includes weasels, minks, ferrets, martens, skunks, and badgers, is rapidly declining in numbers. Other members of this predatory genus are also being affected.
The otter, from atop its food chain, is subject to being affected by all of the many pollutants that now foul our once pristine rivers, lakes and streams. A world without otters would offer a sadly diminished wilderness experience for those who cherish the great outdoors.
The otter is blessed with a pleasing array of cuddly features that vary from its soft thick fur to its bewhiskered face, frolic-some nature, and affectionate disposition. Living at the edge of aquatic habitats, the otter comes equipped with webbed feet and is a superb swimmer.
As carnivores, otters are excellent hunters. They feed on fish, frogs, crayfish, crabs and other aquatic wildlife. They are accused by some fishermen of decimating the numbers of sport fish in certain areas.
Even though the otter will take an occasional member of the game fish identities, it primarily feeds on the so-called rough fish which are easier to catch. Thus, otters are thought to cause only minimal damage to the numbers of trout, bass, perch and other species that are prized by the sportsman.
Otters seemingly love to play and while many in the scientific community question the reason for this behavior, there are many others who accept that the otter is playful by nature and simply enjoys a good frolic.
Many times otters will climb from the water to the top of ice covered or muddy river banks. From the top of such steep inclines, they will belly slide down the slope before splashing into the water. This action seems to have no purpose other than just doing it for fun.
Otters are also known for their playful travel over ice. They will lope along slowly; then suddenly belly slide on the ice at speeds up to 18 miles per hour. This activity has been known to be repeated many times during the course of their wintertime travels over frozen landscapes and rivers.
Otters observed at a distance have a striking similarity to the domestic dachshund. A dog that was bred to take on the otters ferocious cousin, the badger. The short legged dachshund was designed by its breeders to confront the badger and drag it from its den.
Badgers, whether in their dens or on the prowl in their almost constant search for prey, are powerful and aggressive animals. They come equipped to inflict pain and death on almost any adversary encroaching on their space. Dachshund simply translates as badger dog in German.
The river otter is a large animal that achieves a head and body length of up to 30 inches. The thick furry tail can add an additional 17 inches. Measured from the tip of its nose to the tip of its tail, a large otter can attain an impressive total length of just under four feet.
And, adults weigh from 10 to 25 or more pounds. Otters usually produce from three to five pups in a litter and the otter family is scrupulously clean. Mother otters are known to teach their pups to use a far corner of the den to answer the calls of nature. They dry and groom their lush coats after each swim. This maintains the rich chocolate brown coat with the silvery underside in sparkling peak condition.
The mustelidae family members are usually of a no nonsense disposition and are considered ferocious predators. Minks and weasels as well as otters all have a high rate of metabolism. This causes them to be frequently in search of food. Unlike their cousins and other carnivore's which are aggressive and fight frequently among their own kind, otters rarely if ever fight other otters. The reason for this uncharacteristic behavior is not known.
Otters are also known for their language of chirps and chuckles which sometimes sound similar to human chatter. When frightened, the otter can emit a blood curdling scream that can be heard across well over a mile of open water. The river otter inhabits large swath's of the US and Canada but is absent from extreme northern Canada and the arid western areas of our country.
To see an otter in the wild provides a real thrill. By maintaining a respectful distance and standing still once you have sighted an individual or a group of otters, they will frequently continue about their business or sometimes stand erect on their hind feet and seemingly look you over in a quizzical manner. Otters are indeed some of mother nature's most delightful creatures.
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