Otter

• The otter is 92-110cm in length including the tail
• It has a long streamlined body with very short legs, webbed feet and a thick, muscular tail
• The otter’s blunt muzzle and tapering tail distinguish it from the smaller mink which has a more pointed face and shorter, straighter tail
• The otter’s fur is dark brown and made up of two layers: the long shiny guard hairs that form the waterproof outer coat and the soft thick under-fur that keeps the otter’s body warm.
• Northern Ireland has a healthy population of otters at present. However, a recent survey suggests that there has been a slight decrease in signs of otter activity over the last 20 years
• Otters are active all year round
• Dense, undisturbed areas of bank side vegetation are essential to provide cover when the animal is resting during the day and for breeding purposes
• They are nocturnal and shy, so their presence is most often revealed by sweet-smelling droppings called spraint left in prominent spots - on rocks, logs etc. to mark their territory
• Spraint often contain fish scales and bones
• The Fermanagh lakes and the rivers associated with Lough Foyle are good areas to look for otters.
• There are fewer otters occurring around coastal regions
• The Ulster Wildlife Trust provides useful information on how we can help our otters