Possible otter footprint?

[Loz]

Hi all, I've been a WAB stalker for a few years now, I thought it was about time I posted something!

I found these tracks on the River Stour (Suffolk), are they otter?





Sorry for the lack of focus on the second one, I was sinking into the mud quite quickly and wanted to get back into my canoe asap! The lens cap is 5.5cm in diameter for scale.

Thanks for you help, Loz

[camo]

Hi Loz

Yes I would be fairly confident they are Otter. They are sligfhtly large for a Mink or nay of the Mustelids, are positioned by water, are not flat enough across the claws to be a Badger and show five toes on the higher print on the first picture (so not dog or cat).

Well done now try and find some Spraint it is genereally easir to find spraint than a good footprint.

Roy

[Dogghound]

I agree that they are otter prints. Nice find.

[Loz]

Ah smashing! Thanks for your help :-)

Loz

[Loz]

So I went back to the river this weekend on the lookout for otter spraint. (Unfortunately i live a few hours away so can't visit as often as I'd like - always the way!). Anyway, whilst kayaking down the river i came across a little alcove in the river bank.



I'm not sure if you can see in the picture, but there is a little mound which looked like it had been scrapped up, and on top was some poo! The alcove didn't have a hole in the end, so the only way to the mound would have been through the water.





As you can see it contained fish bones and a few scales, gave it a sniff and having never smelled neither otter or mink wasn't sure what to expect, but i have to say it wasnt bad - kind of earthy and a bit fishy.

I'd like to think it was otter, and from the looks of it, it was pretty fresh. Only wish i could spend longer there!

Loz

[camo]

hi loz

Yes definetly Otter spraint. The mounding of soil is a classic Otter tactic to get its spraint as high as possible. The staining on the rock is also common as is the course but untwisted texture. The smell is always the give away and generally considered pleasant. Once you have semlt Otter it is the same everytime and easy to recognise. Mink though is very unpleasant smelling and like Rats rank.

Well done but why are you travelling so far i bet now you know what you are looking for you can find signs locally. Where do you live?

Roy

[vole-woman]

Great find!

[Loz]

Thanks for that :-) I'm currently living in Cambridge, but moving back to Bristol in October to start my master course. I've kayaked the R.Cam and R.Little Ouse but had no luck so far. Next time I go out at least I know what to look for now!

Cheers, Loz

[shirl]

Originally Posted by Loz

Thanks for that :-) I'm currently living in Cambridge, but moving back to Bristol in October to start my master course. I've kayaked the R.Cam and R.Little Ouse but had no luck so far. Next time I go out at least I know what to look for now!

Cheers, Loz

And don't forget to take photos for us, good luck finding those otters

Shirl

[Maverick47]

Otter spraint has a quite distictive smell, lots of people say that it reminds them of jasmine tea.