British Columbia Wildlife
Otter
Otter (Lutra canadensis)
The otter is located in most areas of British Columbia, Canada. The otter is very adapt to the water and is most comfortable in a marine environment. Its body is sleek with short legs, a long tail and webbed toes. Its ears and nose can be closed off when under water and is protected by the cold by the otter's layer of fat.The otter can swim faster then most fish which makes it easier for it to catch its meal. On the menu for the otter is turtles, snakes, water fowl and muskrat.
The otter does not feel comfortable on land and spends as little time as possible out of the water because of the fear of attack by wolves and bears. In the water , the otter has nothing to fear in most cases. Otters are very playful with each other, sliding down mud slopes, popping up their heads beside paddling canoes.