- Information
- Threats
- Did you know that
OTTER
The Eurasian otter is a small animal that lives on the banks of rivers and lakes, and only where the water is very clean. It is considered one of the rarest and most endangered mammals in the continent. It is an important health indicator of mountain water so it is strictly protected by all the countries of the EU. The otter's diet consists 80% of fish, but also of amphibians, reptiles (water snakes), invertebrates (mostly crabs), birds and small mammals. According to estimations, in Greece exists one of the densest and greatly expanded otter populations. In central Greece occurs a small splitting of the populations, while some isolated populations appear in Corfu and in Evia.
OTTER
- Η ρύπανση των ποταμών και των λιμνών.
- Wetland drainage and hydroelectric dams.
- The destruction of riparian vegetation in lakes and rivers and the flooding of its natural habitat by artificial reservoirs in the rivers.
- All these result from human activity.
OTTER
- The otter needs fresh water to clean its fur.
- It plays by gliding on the mud of the banks or on snow.
- Male otters are little concerned with the care of newborns.
- The nest is in a tunnel above the water level and has two exits, one towards ground and one towards the water.
- It usually hunts during the night, and spends the day in a burrow with an underwater entrance.
- Due to the structure of the hair, its fur offers a very effective insulation from cold and moisture.
- It daily spends 10% of its time to caring for the fur.
- It sees, hears and smells very well, both outside and inside of the water!
