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Exploring the territory of the Eurasian otter: Why do these adorable creatures value their space so much?
In many places, especially along mountain streams and lush riversides, you may encounter a lively creature called the Eurasian otter. These adorable semi-aquatic mammals, known for their streamlined bodies and moist fur, live across vast areas of Eurasia. Although they are loved by people, the living space of these otters is increasingly threatened by environmental changes and human activities.
These long, slender animals attach great importance to their living space and often mark their territory conspicuously.
The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), known as the European otter or by other names such as the Eurasian river otter, is the most widespread species of the otter family. They mainly inhabit pollution-free freshwater bodies such as lakes, streams and rivers, and are inseparable from the importance of meeting their food needs. Their main diet is fish, but during cold winters they will also seek out other food sources such as amphibians, crustaceans and small mammals.
The importance of territorial behavior
The Eurasian otter is a strongly territorial animal that usually lives alone. Each otter's territorial range ranges from 1 km to 40 km. In places where food is abundant, the territory will usually be shorter, while in places where resources are scarce, they will expand their range. These otters mark their territory in a specific way to notify other otter groups, which is crucial to maintaining control of resources.
The method of marking territory is called "excrement marking", and these otters use their feces to delineate their territory.
Of particular importance is the fact that, although male and female otters' territories may overlap, they usually stay separated from each other to avoid conflict. During their lives and raising their young, female otters will rely on the territories of male otters to ensure their food sources and safety. This coexistence is crucial for survival and reproduction.
Reproductive behavior and its association with territory
The reproductive behavior of the Eurasian otter is also closely related to its territoriality. They are not restricted to a specific season and will start breeding at any time, a trait that allows them to adapt to significantly changing environmental conditions.
Female otters usually reach sexual maturity when they are 18 to 24 months old, and the average age at first birth is usually around 2.5 years. The time from pregnancy to the birth of a young otter is about 60 to 64 days, with one to four young otters per litter. Female otters spend their days in otter burrows, usually resting during the day and going out to hunt at night.
Because they mainly hunt at night, otters often use their own intelligence to obtain food. This lifestyle allows them to survive in a highly competitive environment.
Environmental changes and protection status
The survival situation of the Eurasian otter is not entirely optimistic. In the second half of the 20th century, their numbers declined significantly due to water pollution and habitat loss. However, in recent years, as various conservation measures have come into effect, the population of Eurasian otters has begun to rebound in many countries.
For example, in the UK, the range of otter locations increased by 55% between 1994 and 2002. Successful cases show the effectiveness of conservation measures, including strict bans on the use of polluting pesticides and improvements in water quality. Despite this, the Eurasian otter still faces a crisis of extinction in some areas, such as Germany, which requires increased conservation efforts worldwide.
Habitat restoration and protection will be key to protecting the Eurasian otter through international cooperation and the development of local regulations.
Because these creatures deeply value their territory and the surrounding environment, we can't help but think: In the process of protecting natural ecosystems, how should we balance the needs of humans with the survival rights of a few creatures?
