1. What are otters?
Otters are semi-aquatic mammals of the Mustelid family. They inhabit every continent except for Australia and Antarctica. They are predators that mostly eat fish and seafood. They have long bodies and webbed feet used to swim, and they have extremely dense, soft fur to keep them warm.2. What kinds of otters are there?
There are 13 species of otters in the world. Click here or here to learn more about the otters of the world.Eurasian Otters
The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) is the most widely distributed otter and lives all over Eurasia and in parts of Africa.
Smooth-coated Otters
The smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) is a relatively large otter with smooth fur and a flattened tail. They are found in south and southeast Asia, and some of them live in Iraq.
Asian Small-clawed Otters
The Asian small-clawed otter (Amblonyx cinerea) is the smallest otter, ranging from 70 to 100 cm in length. Like the smooth-coated otter, it lives in south and southeast Asia.
Hairy-nosed Otters
The hairy-nosed otter (Lutra sumatrana) is a very mysterious otter. It lives in Southeast Asia but its exact range is unknown, possibly being extinct in many places. It is the rarest and least known Asian otter. It has a hairy nose. Its fur can sometimes be reddish in colour. It is the most similar to Eurasian otters.
Congo Clawless Otters
The Congo clawless otter (Aonyx capensis congicus) lives in and around the Congo. It is one of the lesser-known otters, and has a distinct fur pattern. This otter spends the most time on land out of all the otters. It is also rather large, growing up to 1.5 meters.
African Clawless Otters
The African clawless otter (Aonyx capensis) is closely related to the Congo clawless otter and lives all over sub-Saharan Africa. It is the second largest river otter, after the Giant Otter.
Spotted-necked Otters
The spotted-necked otter (Hydrictis maculicollis) lives in sub-Saharan Africa and is relatively small. Their fur patterns are varied, but it is usually brownish-red in colour and marked with creamy spots on the neck. The males of this species have large penises.
Giant Otters
The giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is the largest of all otters, growing up to 2 meters long. It is native to South America, and is mostly found along the Amazon river. It is also the noisiest otter.
Sea Otters
The sea otter (Enhydra lutris) is found along the coasts of the North Pacific ocean. They can weigh up to 45kg, which makes it the heaviest mustelid. It has the densest fur of any animal, and was almost hunted to extinction because of this.
North American River Otters
The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) lives throughout the United States and Canada. It is polygynous and more social than other mustelids.
Neotropical Otters
The neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis) is found throughout Central and South America. It is closely related to North American and South American river otters. Its length ranges from 90-150 cm. It has the widest distribution of all new world otters.
Southern River Otters
The southern river otter (Lontra provocax) is an average-sized otter that lives in Chile and Argentina. It lives both in marine as well as freshwater environments.
Marine Otters
The marine otter (Lontra felina) is a rare and unusual otter. It inhabits the shores of Chile and Peru. Despite being a river otter, it does not live in freshwater. Instead, it lives only in saltwater and coastal environments, much like the sea otter. It is also one of the smallest otters, comparable to but slightly larger than the Asian small-clawed otter.
3. How can I help otters?
The most urgent question you might ask yourself after learning about otters is how you can help them. Otters are still facing major threats globally: pollution, deforestation, habitat loss, poaching and illegal trade.You can donate to various global pro-Otter organisations such as the International Otter Survival Fund or the Otter Specialist Group.
Some countries have their own groups helping otters:
France (Le Groupe Loutre de la SFEPM)
Germany (Aktion Fischotterschutz)
Italy (Lontra Italia)
USA/Canada (Friends of the Sea Otter)
Brazil (Projeto Lontra Ekko Brasil)
You can donate or even volunteer at these organisations. We must all ask ourselves if we are doing enough for otters, because one can always do more.
4. About /otter/
/otter/ was created to celebrate otters and educate more people about otters. It has quickly become the most popular animal-related board on 8chan -- something only otters could achieve.Rules:
1. This is a board about otters
Threads not about otters will be removed.
2. Otters are very good
If you disagree, we don't have any time or tolerance for your antics.
For your questions and complaints, please contact paperman@memeware.net.