Densely-coated Otter Sparks Awe Among Onlookers - Enthusiasts of aquatic life with extraordinarily thick and lush coats – the otters.
Article: The Eurasian Otter - Germany's Largest Native Weasel
The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) holds the title as the largest native weasel species in Germany, as per the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation. Primarily active during the night and twilight hours, human encounters with otters are infrequent. Nightly, these elusive creatures can cover distances up to 20 kilometers.
In some cases, several female otters claim territories within a male's domain. Unlike many mammals, otters do not have a fixed mating season and can produce offspring year-round. A typical litter yields one to three young, who depart their parents' territory after approximately 14 months.
According to the German Hunting Association, otters can consume an impressive one kilogram of fish daily, supplementing their diet with frogs, crabs, waterbirds, and certain mice. Their duration in the wild can reach up to nine or ten years, the association notes.
Typical otters weigh up to 12 kilograms, featuring broad, flat heads, and stretching up to 1.20 meters in length, including their third—their tail. These animals can submerge underwater for up to eight minutes thanks to their swimming membranes on their paws. With up to 80,000 hairs per square centimeter of skin, their fur density far surpasses that of humans, with an average of only 200 hairs on a human head.
As inhabitants of aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, and coastal areas, otters are referred to as semi-aquatic, spending most of their time in the water and occasionally venturing onto land. Their playful and social nature often leads them to form family groups and exhibit activity both day and night.
The Eurasian otter is a prominent species in European rivers like the Rhine, where Mainz is located, but localized information about otters in Mainz specifically is scarce. For more detailed insights into the wildlife of the Mainz area, it's recommended to consult local wildlife organizations or conservation groups.
In the context of promoting a community policy relating to wildlife conservation, vocational training programs could be implemented to educate individuals about the lifestyle and environmental needs of the Eurasian otter, facilitating home-and-garden modifications to create suitable otter habitats. By fostering a better understanding of these semi-aquatic animals, our local population can contribute positively to the maintenance and growth of otter communities in our urban areas, such as Mainz.
