[Page 186] THE OTTER.

The fur of this animal is of such exquisite softness and beauty as to be in great demand for commercial purposes, bringing a very high price in the fur market.

[Illustration]

The otter cannot be said to be a common animal, although it is found throughout the United States and Canada, being rather more plentiful in the cold northern localities than in the southern latitudes.  It is an amphibious animal, and can remain for a long time beneath the water.  In size it is larger than a cat, and it possesses a tapering tail some eighteen inches in length.  Its fur is of a rich brown color, and the hair is of two kinds, the one a close, fine, and exquisitely soft down, which lies next the skin, and which serves to protect the animal from the extremes of heat and cold, and the other composed of long shining coarser hairs, which permit the animal to glide easily through the water.  In producing the beautiful otter furs of fashion these long hairs are plucked out, leaving only the softer down next the hide.  The food of the otter mostly consists of fish, for the pursuit of which he has been admirably endowed by nature.  His body is lithe and supple, and his feet are furnished with a broad web, which connects the toes, and is of infinite service in propelling the animal through [Page 187] the water when in search of his finny prey.  His long, broad and flat tail serves as a most effectual rudder, and the joints of his powerful legs are so flexible as to permit of their being turned in almost any direction.

The habitation of the otter is made in the banks of the river which it frequents, or sometimes in a hollow log or crevice beneath rocks.  The animal generally prefers to adopt and occupy a natural hollow or deserted excavation, rather than to dig a burrow for itself.  The nest is composed of dry rushes, grasses and sticks, and the young, three or four in number, are produced in early spring.

The track which the otter makes in the mud or snow is easily distinguished from that of any other animal, on account of the “seal” or impression which is made by a certain ball on the sole of the foot.  Otter hunting is a favorite sport in England, and indeed in the northern parts of our own country.  Hounds are used to pursue the animal, and on account of the powerfully scented secretion with which the creature is furnished by nature, its track is readily followed.  When attacked, the otter is a fierce and terrible fighter, biting and snapping with most deadly energy and never yielding as long as life remains in the body.  The bite of an angry otter is extremely severe, and for this reason we would caution the amateur trapper on handling the animal should one be taken alive.

Although so fierce and savage when attacked, the otter is easily tamed when taken young, and can be taught to catch fish for the service of its master, rather than for the gratification of its own palate.