The European Otter's habitat is made up of lakes, ponds and swampy areas. Otters leave a scent that tells otters that this is our territory and don't wander off.

     Cubs are helpless for the first three to six weeks. They feed off of the mother's milk. The male does not help raise the cubs. The cubs become independent after a year old, but still stay in their mother's range.

    Otters eat fish and eels. They hunt near swampy areas. The Otters mainly eat fish, but they mostly prefer eels.  The would eat crustaceans, aquatic insects, birds, frogs, and young rabbits. The European Otters chase the fish underwater or chase them into clumps of weeds. The Otter's grip the fish with their sharp teeth. Then, they carry it to the dry land and eats it. 

     The European Otters are 2-3 feet wide, about 12 inches tall, and are 12-33 pounds in weight. Their long stiff hairs on their fur are coated with oil that the otter produces. This oil makes them water repellent. The hairs are so strong that  the animal's skins never get wet. A newborn European Otter is blind, has no fur and it is only about 4 inches long.      

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