Tag: otters

  • Otters in the Lake District

    Otters are considered to be England’s top predator, masterful at catching a variety of prey including fish and small birds. These semi – aquatic mammals are usually spotted playing in the rivers with their thick fur protecting them from the cold waters. Their webbed feet, dense fur (to keep them warm) and ability to close their eyes and nose underwater makes them well suited to life In the water. Otters have their cubs in underground burrows known as a ‘holt’. Excellent and lithe swimmers, cubs are introduced and adjusted to the water by 10 weeks of age. The length of an otter is 90cm with a tail of 45cm and has an average life span of up to 10 years.

    Otter

    During the last century otters faced extinction, but their numbers have steadily increased due to the clear up of waterways, certain pesticides being banned, and conservation projects being set up.

    Otters can often be seen playing in the rivers that feed the lakes such as Derwentwater near Keswick. There have also been other sightings including the River Kent by Kendal and around Lake Windermere.