Eurasian otter

Fiercely territorial, marking their territory with scent to communicate with other otters

Bernard Landgraf


Eurasian otter

EXEWCRENVUNTLCDDNE

Fiercely territorial, marking their territory with scent to communicate with other otters

Population 360,000
30% decline over the past 23 years

Possessing sleek, waterproof fur, webbed feet, and keen senses, these charismatic creatures navigate their watery domains with grace and agility. Their long, streamlined bodies are covered in dense, waterproof fur, providing insulation and protection against the elements while swimming. Notably, their fur exhibits a dark brown hue on their back, gradually fading to a lighter shade on their belly, aiding in camouflage and thermoregulation.

Eurasian otters boast a diverse range of adaptations that enable them to thrive in aquatic habitats. Their webbed feet facilitate efficient propulsion through the water, allowing them to navigate swiftly and gracefully in search of prey. Furthermore, their acute senses, including keen eyesight and acute sense of smell, aid in locating food sources beneath the water’s surface, while sensitive whiskers help detect subtle changes in their aquatic environment.

As opportunistic predators, Eurasian otters exhibit a varied diet composed primarily of fish, supplemented by amphibians, crustaceans, mollusks, and occasionally small mammals and birds. Their piscivorous diet reflects their reliance on freshwater and coastal habitats rich in aquatic prey species. Additionally, Eurasian otters play a crucial role in regulating prey populations, helping to maintain ecosystem balance and biodiversity in their aquatic ecosystems.

Historically, Eurasian otters faced significant threats to their survival, including habitat loss, pollution, and overexploitation of their fur. Human activities such as habitat destruction, pollution, and hunting led to population declines across much of their range. However, concerted conservation efforts have helped to mitigate these threats and stabilize Eurasian otter populations in many areas.

Distribution

Country
Population est.
Status
Year
Comments
Afghanistan
2020
Albania
2020
Algeria
EN
2020
Andorra
2020
Armenia
EN
2020
Austria
2020
Azerbaijan
EN
2020
Bangladesh
2020
Belarus
2020
Belgium
2020
Bhutan
2020
Bosnia And Herz.
2020
Bulgaria
2020
Cambodia
2020
China
2020
Croatia
2020
Czechia
2020
Denmark
2020
Estonia
2020
Finland
2020
France
2020
Georgia
VU
2020
Germany
2020
Gibraltar
2020
Greece
2020
Hong Kong
2020
Hungary
2020
India
2020
Indonesia
2020
Iran
2020
Iraq
2020
Ireland
2020
Israel
Official estimate
CR
2020
Italy
1,000
Official estimate
NT
2020
Japan
2020
Jordan
2020
Kazakhstan
100
Official estimate
EN
2020
Korea
2020
Kyrgyzstan
2020
Laos
2020
Latvia
2020
Lebanon
CR
2020
Liechtenstein
2020
Lithuania
2020
Luxembourg
2020
Malaysia
2020
Presence Uncertain
Moldova
2020
Mongolia
2020
Montenegro
2020
Morocco
2020
Myanmar
2020
Nepal
2020
Netherlands
2020
Reintroduced
North Korea
2020
North Macedonia
2020
Norway
2020
Pakistan
2020
Poland
2020
Portugal
2020
Romania
2020
Russia
75,000–80,000
Official estimate
NT
2020
San Marino
2020
Serbia
2020
Slovakia
2020
Slovenia
2020
Spain
2020
Sri Lanka
EN
2020
Sweden
2020
Switzerland
2020
Syria
2020
Taiwan
2020
Tajikistan
EN
2020
Thailand
2020
Tunisia
2020
Turkey
2020
Turkmenistan
2020
Ukraine
2020
United Kingdom
10,395
Official estimate
NT
2020
Uzbekistan
EN
2020
Vietnam
2020

Anything we've missed?

Help us improve this page by suggesting edits. Glory never dies!

Suggest an edit

Get to know me

Terrestrial / Aquatic

Altricial / Precocial

Polygamous / Monogamous

Dimorphic / Monomorphic

Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal

Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd

Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore

Migratory: Yes / No

Domesticated: Yes / No

Dangerous: Yes / No