File:Brehm's Life of animals - a complete natural history for popular home instruction and for the use of schools. Mammalia (1896) (20226605179).jpg

Title: Brehm's Life of animals : a complete natural history for popular home instruction and for the use of schools. Mammalia
Identifier: brehmslifeofanim1896breh (find matches)
Year: 1896 (1890s)
Authors: Brehm, Alfred Edmund, 1829-1884; Pechuel-Loesche, Edward, 1840-1913; Haacke, Wilhelm, 1855-1912; Schmidtlein, Richard
Subjects: Mammals; Animal behavior
Publisher: Chicago : Marquis
Contributing Library: Internet Archive
Digitizing Sponsor: Internet Archive

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THE MARTEN FAMILY—OTTER. 177 and in its mental endowments. It belongs, without question, to the most attractive class of animals. That it is an aquatic animal is seen even when it is on dry land, having a creeping and Snake-like walk, on account of its short legs; but its movements are by no means slow. It moves quite differently in the water, which is its proper element, and to which it flees when danger threatens it on land. Its structure is admirably adapted for swimming and diving. The Snake-like, flat body, the short feet, converted into vigorous oars by large webs, the rather long and powerful tail serving as a very efficient rudder, and the sleek, slippery fur—all these endowments com- bine to enable it to glide swiftly through the waves. Its sharp, vigorous teeth serve to seize the prey and nev.er let anything they once have closed upon es- cape, however slippery it may be. In winter, when the water is frozen over, it looks up holes in the ice and descends, and returns through them to breathe. Unfailingly it finds these holes again and is just as fishes only by night, especially in full moonlight. It sometimes comes quite close to human dwellings during its hunts, and passes villages that lie on the bank, usually without being detected. ' Old Otters usually live singly, but the females swim about accompanied by their young, or other females. During the breeding season one may meet males and females fishing together. The)- always swim up stream from their habitation, and some- times search a river for miles away, as well as the smaller rivers and ponds that are connected with the large stream. Skill of the An Otter is as effective and skillful a Otter hunter in the water as are a Fox and a as a Hunter. Lynx combined on the land. In shallow water it drives the fishes into aba)- to prevent their flight, or sometimes it beats the surface of the water with its tail, and frightens them so that they seek refuge in holes in the bank or under stones, and thus fall an easy prey.
Text Appearing After Image:
THE COMMON OTTER. The characteristics of the Common Otter of Europe and Asia are well depicted in this illustration—the rounded head, small ears, tapering tail, short legs, ending in webbed feet, and rough wiry outer fur. The predilection of the animal for hsh is also shown, the animal in the picture having just captured a tinny meal, coming to the river bank to enjoy it. (Lutra rulgiiris.) ingenious in detecting others. The hole need only be large enough to admit its nose for the purpose of breathing ; and where such apertures exist the frozen deep is perfectly adapted for its hunting. The voice of the Otter is much more rarely heard from animals in the wild state than from those in captivity, which are more easily excited. When the Otter feels comfortable it utters a low chuckle ; when it is hungry it emits loud cries, sounding like " girrk " and so loud as to be disagreeable. It signifies its anger by a loud shriek, and its contentment by a shrill, harmonious whistle. The senses of the Otter are extremely acute. The presence of a Man or Dog is perceived at a distance of several hundred paces, and the approach of either is always deemed a signal for prompt escape into the water. The incessant persecution which it has suffered has rendered it extremely shy and cautious, and one who wishes to see it has to lie in wait for days. As a rule it sallies forth after sunset, and The Otter also preys upon Crabs, Frogs, Watlpr- voles and small and medium-sized birds, though fishes, especially Trout, are its favorite food. Young Otters The Otter has no set breeding season, and How for one meets young ones all the They are Tamed. ycar around. There are from two to four blind young ones in the litter. The mother selects for them a secure place, warmly lining the nest with soft grass. She loves her offspring ten- derly and takes great care of them. They reach their full growth by the third year. Otters taken young and kept on milk and bread may become very tame. The Chinese tame one species and train them to catch fish, and in Europe Otters have also repeatedly been trained for the same purpose. A tame Otter is a very pretty and sympathetic animal. It soon comes to know its owner and follows him or her about like a Dog. It prefers a milk and vege- table diet to one of meat, and may be trained not to touch fish at all.

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