Enjoy my report on otters.
River Otters: The Children with Tails
River
otters, the children with tails. Remarkably, they have some of the strongest
family bonds in the animal kingdom. Swimming gracefully, river otters skillfully hunt
together, live together, and play together.
We will learn, in the following report, about the different aspects of
these beautiful creatures. Get ready to
be amazed by these creatures of the water!
River
otters, which weigh about 30
pounds, are strong and graceful creatures. They grow to be 3-4 feet in length, while
other otters are much larger. Through
the water they glide, with short legs and webbed feet. A rope-like tail helps these incredible animals
slide through the water gracefully. They
have warm brown fur, with much lighter underparts. Surprisingly, the fur is dense, and keeps the
otter’s skin dry. Swimming freely, the otter swims in cold
waters while its fur keeps it warm.
These lithe mammals are amazing at surviving.
River otters, which are nimble, use their
dexterity to help them find food. Their
diet varies with crabs, fish, frogs, clams, and salamanders. Skillfully, they use their front legs to dig
for their food. Swimming effortlessly, they hunt fish with their vision,
whereas they hunt crabs with their adroitness.
They are opportunistic, and devour whatever is available. In fact, they break down beaver dams and eat
the fish as the water rushes past.
Sometimes they will even eat a baby beaver! In the winter, river otters hunt under the
ice. They are one of the few creatures
that use tools to hunt. These animals
are agile hunters.
Family is important to river otters. In the family, the young are called
pups. There are 1-5 pups born at a time. The pups, which cannot see for a few weeks,
are extremely vulnerable to predators.
For 3 months, the mother suckles and cleans the pups. She defends the den courageously. Surprisingly, she will not even let the dad
in when she defends the den. The pups
will not meet the father for a few months.
Once they leave the den, they are afraid of water. Some mothers will let
them ride on their stomachs, whereas others force them into the water. If not forced, the pups will be sliding
through the water in a few days. They will
hunt and travel together for 1 year before the otter will form his or her own
family. These amazing mammals have
incredible families.
River otters sure do have amazing
families. River otters, which are clever
hunters, are built flawlessly for their remarkable adventures. Effortlessly, river otters glide through the
water, as other animals fall behind.
Playing joyously, they turn everything into a game. River otters are the children of the animal
kingdom.
Bibliography
Fulbright, Jeannie. Exploring Creation with Zoology 3: Land
Animals of the Sixth Day, Anderson, Indiana: Apologia Educational
Ministries, 200.
“Otter.” Britannica School.
Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 206. Web. 28 Feb. 206.
(Required login)
Swanson, Diane. Welcome to the
World of Otters, North Vancouver, BC:
Whitecap
Books, 202.
