Eurasian Otter

Lutra lutra

SIZE AND DESCRIPTION

Length to 84cm (body); 48cm (tail). A streamlined carnivore of the mustelid family whose body is adapted to an aquatic lifestyle. Water-resistant fur is dense, consisting of short hairs and longer paler guard hairs. Feet are webbed, and tail is long and powerful. Upperparts are dark brown, chin and upper throat paler, and underparts markedly paler.

HABITAT AND ECOLOGY

Found in coastal areas and wetlands, and in rivers. Normally active by night. Nests in a burrow (holt). Diet includes fishes, other small vertebrates and crustaceans.

DISTRIBUTION

Once found throughout Europe, but became extinct in many areas. Now protected and expanding in Britain.

Common Seal

Phoca vitulina

SIZE AND DESCRIPTION

Length 1.2–1.6m. Small seal with a short muzzle and V-shaped nostrils. Colour variable, but usually greyish with darker mottling, and white whiskers. Britain is also home to a major part of the global population of the larger (to 3.3m long) Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus), which has a characteristic ‘Roman’ nose.

HABITAT AND ECOLOGY

Typically found in sandflats and estuaries, as well as on rocky shores in Scotland. Single pup is born each year on a beach or sandbar; it is active and swims in the sea from birth. Seals hunt for fishes underwater, and also feed on shellfish and crustaceans.

DISTRIBUTION

Both Common and Grey Seals breed on northern European coasts, including British and Irish shores.