A happier otter thread

nigel_b · #1 (**permalink**) 25-01-2011, 07:13 PM

Well some great news today. I was back at the pool at about 11am and out there mucking about and fishing were not one, not two but three otters.

Unfortunately they were into the sun from me.

Now its good to see mother and one surviving cub again, but who is the third otter?

They mucked about for around 15 minutes before splitting up. Mother and cub came back towards their holt:

and the third one disappeared off in the other direction.

There definately wasnt any fighting going on so do you think this was a male on the scene again?

Farplace · #2 (**permalink**) 25-01-2011, 07:21 PM

Let's hope so Nigel. When is the breeding season for otters?

nigel_b · #3 (**permalink**) 25-01-2011, 08:46 PM

As far as I know otters in the UK don't align breeding to the time of year. Cubs tend to stay with the mother for about 14 months after which she can breed again.

This causes a problem for Eurasian otters breeding in cold climates like Sweden. (Scotland doesn't count as cold in this respect!) They have to align breeding to availabilty of food supply so they only breed every 24 months.

Such is my understanding and I'd be happy to stand corrected if necessary.

Dogghound · #4 (**permalink**) 26-01-2011, 07:50 AM

Yes Nigel is spot on here. Generally breeding occurs anytime of the year in Britain, however in the Scottish isles (like shetland) they are strongly seasonal breeding in summer. More or less the same number of cubs are born each month in the rest of Britain.

Joella52 · #5 (**permalink**) 26-01-2011, 08:55 AM

Mighty envious but thanks so much for sharing your pictures.
Otters can breed any time of the year. The third otter may have been a cub from a previous litter or a sibling of mother, perhaps even the father of cub you saw. I understand otters can be very socialable when they meet family on their travels (so long as there's no huge threat to their territory or there's enough food to go around)

I hope you get to see them again and learn more about them.

nigel_b · #6 (**permalink**) 26-01-2011, 03:18 PM

Did we get a treat today:

amongst others.

Three again for the most part. Watching and studying these has become fascinating and addictive!

pammosley · #7 (**permalink**) 26-01-2011, 03:57 PM

I`m dead jealous Nigel, I ve never seen one. You are very lucky, great photos

christ1979 · #8 (**permalink**) 31-01-2011, 04:35 PM

I havent seen an actual wild otter on the stretch of the river elwy we frequent for around 3 years! Tons of "tell tale" signs but no actual otters, hopefully this year tho

ChristineRoberts · #9 (**permalink**) 28-03-2011, 07:10 PM

Hi Nigel,
These are lovely photos! I particularly like the one with the 3 of them (not just because there are 3!) Did you use the 300mm we discussed earlier for these?
Cheers
Chris