A DOSSIER ON LUTRA (THE OTTER)

SUMMARY

Lutra, the otter, is a compact, powerful, intelligent
animal capable of negotiating land, water, and obstacles with
great facility. Lutra can survive in hostile envirnnmcnts
such as under ice, in hot water, in raging seas, and even
in urban environments. Capable of being easily trained and
becomes devoted to humans. which  sometimes leads to its
destruction. It can find its own food if necessary and can
make long journeys routinely. Basic cost of animal moderate
($75 - $150) as is maintenance. Has been used by man as a pet
and in the orient for fishing.

WHAT IS AN OTTER?

An otter is : Phylum  :  Chordata
              Class   :  Mammalia
              Order   :  Carnivora
              Family  :  Mustelidae
              Genus   :  Lutra
              Species :  Many species and sub-species.

There are two animals commonly called the 'otter' - specifically
the Sea Otter ( Enhydra lutris ) and the land otter (Lutra).
The Sea Otter lives mostly at sea, is nearly extinct, and
differs considerably from the land otters. For this reason our
discussion will cover Lutra, the land otter. *

There are many species and subspecies of Lutra. Lutra lives
all over the world in various forms. They may grow as large
as small seals. In general Lutra canadensis is representative of
most otters in size, physiology, habits, etc. For this reason
the following dossier will but infrequently refer to species
and subspecies of Lutra, the River Otter.

* Some taxonomists consider the Sea Otter to be so different
from the Land or River Otter that it is considered to be a
Sub-Family.

LOCOMOTION - LAND

Can run rapidly on land. In the wild ranges a territory
over 50 miles. Will make night excursion of 15 miles. In
one case was chased 29 miles by otter-hounds. Can climb
stairs, ladder, and other objects easily. Ability to slide
down inclines with ease.

LOCOMOTION - WATER

Must be taught to swim. Can swim 10 mph or faster. Can
catch most fish easily. Dives to 60 feet and can stay
submerged 4-6 minutes. Enters and leaves boat easily.
Can be trained to catch fish. Sleeps floating on back.
Will carry large fish (5-10 pounds) through the water.

ANATOMY - PHYSIOLOGY

LENGTH    -    4-5 feet with 1 foot tail. Some varieties much
               longer.
WEIGHT    -    25 pounds. (Sea otter 80 pounds.) Some Central
               American varieties as large as small seals.
FEET -         Webbed. 5 toes on each foot. Claws good for
               climbing, but not for holdinq. Pads on toes capable
               of holding slippery eel.
               Tracks:   F 2.5 X 3.5 ; B 3 X 3.5 (Lutra canadensis)
FUR -          Durability - 100% Guard hairs with soft fur
               underneath. Outer hair holds water; surface tension
               holds them together to provide packing of under-fur
               to provide.insulation. Some air held in fur.
DENTIITION :      1      4     1
                C - . P  - . M -
                  1      3     2
BODY TEMPERATURE: 38-39C

LIFE CYCLE

Probably mates for life. Most species breed at any time
of years, some in late February. Young born about 60 days
later. Litter 1- 5 (cubs, kits, pups). Blind for 5 weeks.
Weaned in 4 months. Both parents help in rearing animals.
Small animals stay with parents one year.
Life span greater than 15 years.

FEEDING

Young animals can be bottle fed with same formula used
for human babies. Diarrhea controlled by varying sugar
and water in formula. Rub animals' gutwith moistened  finger
to simulate lickinq of mother animal - this will substitute
for peristalsis in young animals.
Wean as soon as possible to fish. Eels particularly good, but
any fish will do. Will eat poultry, animal meat, eggs, and
other high protein foods. (Other foods, however, do not seem
to harm animal.)

Schedule feeding of younq once per two hours and train to
go overnight without feedinq as soon as possible - just as
with human baby. Mucus in stool normal.

Animal will catch own food and establish own preferences.

TRANSPORTING

Transportinq an otter is exceptionally difficult. Animal
resents restricted quarters and will fight and tear itself
to deactruction to escape. Tranquilizers are partially effective.

In like manner, once animal has enjoyed freedom equal to that
of dog, it is difficult to keep it caged.

For transporting it is recommended that it travel with
owmer or else special care be taken to train animal to
accept confined quarters (if possible). As last resort,
rely on medication ( tranquilizers / anesthesia ).

No matter how brutal transporting can be (and other ways
man inflicts pain on the otter) it never seems to resent
this treatment.

GENERAL BEHAVIOR

SLEEPING: Usually sleeps on back with \'arms' folded.
        Likes to sleep with humans. Will sleep all night
        although in the wild it ean be nocturnal.

MANUAL AND ORAL DEXTERITY: Can open zipper, climb ladder,
        chew through zinc sheet, turn on water tap, carry
        stones and marbles - also larger objects, throw objects
        with head (from mouth), hold slippery - objects, carry
        objects in \'arms' while swimming - also in mouth, will
        cover himself.

SWIMMING: Must learn to swim at early age. Has initial
        fear of water which must ba overcome.

FEARS: Seems to show no interest and/or fear of cities,
         other animals (except very large birds such as eagles),
         jet (and other) aircraft, railroad stations, crowds
         of people, etc. Will fear water if not trained to it.

VOICE: Ranges from chirps to aspirations, sighs, "Hah",
           and a wail (from whimpering to rage).

MISCELANEOUS DO'S AND DONT'S

1. Never take away food from otter - particularly that
   which he has just caught or suffer severe mauling.

2. Never, if possible, confine (or leave in zoo or kennel)
   an otter which has enjoyed any human companionship or
   freedom.

3. Otters are very sensitive to some drugs which might be
   found in pesticides.

4. Do not panic when animal is in rough water, mountainous
   waves, or under ice.

INCIDENTAL (BUT CRITICAL AND USEFUL) INFORMATION

1. Has excellent sense of direction; can find air-holes
   under ice easily.

2. All otters are automatically housebroken.

3. Otters have no natural fear of man when young.

4. Has a tendency to \'ritualize' behavior (as do many
   animals). For example, some will chew 5 crunches on
   the left side of the mouth, then 5 crunches on the right,
   on and on; Will roll ball up and down stomach exactly
   the same way over and over again; Will rap door
   repetitive pattern; etc.

5. Can survive water hotter than human would care to bathe in.

6. Is very ticklish around the ribs (good way to distract
   stubborn otter).

7. Has qood time sense (e.g. will wake up exactly at a certain time
   each morning).

8. Excrement (called \'spraint') has little or no odor.

9. Harness desireable 1) to keep in check in city and 2) to
   identify animal to hunters as being tame (in forest).
   (Special harness required- see page describing it).

AN OTTER HARNESS

Every otter should have a harness so that it can be better
handled in the urban environent and so that it can be identified
as a pet in the country environment (by bunters and others).
The otter is lanky with a small head. For this reason a special
harness must be built. Because the animal slides a lot, a
\'breast-plate' is necessary. The design below was worked out
by Maxwell. In only one case did he ever suspect that his animal
bacame \'hung up' by his harness while roaming the countryside.
Note that the straps are sufficiently tight allow some of the
guard hairs to pass over it which reduces the chance of it
being caught on objects.

SELECTED REFERENCES

Maxwell, G., Ring of Bright Water, E. P. Dutton, Inc., New York: 1961

Palmer, E. L., Fieldbook of Natural Historv. McGraw-Hill, New York: 1949

Lane, F. W., Nature Parade, Fawcett Publications, Greenwich, Conn.: 1954

0'Shea, M. V. (Ed.), The World Book Encyclopedia, W. F. Quarries Co., Chicago:
1928.

Young, J. Z., The Life of Vertebrates, Oxford University Press, London: 1950.

Farre, R. Seal Morning, Rinehart & Co., New York: 1957.

Spector, W. S. (Ed.), Handbook of Sociological Data, WADC Report 56-273. ASTIA Document No. AD 110501.

