Otters are mammals belonging to the mustelid family. Within it they are located in the Lutrinae subfamily, which has a wide diversity that includes different genera, which makes otters a large group. Although there are common foods for these animals with mainly aquatic habits, the specificity of the diet depends on where they are found. Continue reading this article on our site and find out what otters eat
Type of feeding of otters
Otters are carnivorous animals, which are characterized by being very active in huntingto their prey. These animals have certain adaptations that make it easier for them to capture their food in the aquatic environment where they develop, although there are species that can also move on land without any problem.
Among the traits that are useful for hunting, we find their long and thin body adapted for swimming, which they do agilely. Their forelimbs allow them to capture food and, with the exception of a single species, They have sharp claws which they use to feed. Additionally, some are even capable of relying on the use of tools such as rocks to open certain prey on which they feed. In fact, this practice is quite common, since sometimes they place the prey on their chest and hit it with a rock to open it.
In cloudy waters or with a density of algae, they can also use their whiskers to detect food. When they capture prey on the seabed or at a certain depth, they place it under their armpits and then eat it on the surface.
What do baby otters eat?
The type of diet of otters, as we have seen, is then carnivorous and can be very diverse, consuming a wide variety of both aquatic and terrestrial animals, which will depend on the habitats where they develop. Regarding what baby otters eat, as mammals, they feed on their mother's milk, however, in some cases start eating solid foods within a few days of birth
Unfortunately, many people decide to have an otter as a pet. In this other article we explain why you shouldn't do it: "Is it okay to have an otter as a pet?".
What do sea otters eat?
There are several types of otters that live in marine environments, so their diet is associated with these ecosystems. Let's find out what they are below:
Feeding of the African clawless otter (Aonyx capensis)
The African clawless otter (Aonyx capensis) is a species that thrives in freshwater and s altwater environments, but always needs freshwater nearby. When it lives in marine environments it feeds mainly on:
- Fishes
- Crabs
- Cape Rock Lobsters
- Abalone
- Birds
- Larvae
- Reptiles
- Small mammals
Feeding of the sea otter (Enhydra lutris)
In relation to the sea otter (Enhydra lutris), it is exclusively from this type of habitat. It consumes almost any species of fish or invertebrate of this type of aquatic environment present in its distribution area, which consists of areas with an abundance of algae. Prey includes:
- Hedgehogs
- Sea stars
- Lapas
- Mussels
- Chitons
- Scallops
- Octopuses
- Squid
- Fishes
In the image we can see this otter eating a starfish.
Feeding the sea cat (Lontra felina)
The sea otter or sea cat (Lontra felina) is another species exclusive to this type of habitat. It can feed both on the rocky coast and in the water, which it does by floating on its back, which even allows it to keep eating on high waves. So your diet consists of:
- Fishes
- Crustaceans
- Echinoderms
- Mollusks
- Birds
- Small mammals
- Eggs
- Fruits
What do river otters eat?
As in the previous case, the diet of the otter will depend on the environment in which it lives and the species. Therefore, we will see below what river otters eat depending on the species to which they belong:
Eastern Small-Clawed Otter (Amblonyx cinereus) Feeding
A first example that we can mention is the oriental small-clawed otter (Amblonyx cinereus), which, although it may have a certain coastal presence, mainly develops in freshwater habitats. Feeds on:
- Crabs
- Snails
- Mollusks
- Insects
- Fish (gouramis and catfish)
- Rodents
- Snakes
- Amphibians
Feeding of the spotted-necked otter (Hydrictis maculicollis)
The spotted-necked otter (Hydrictis maculicollis) develops exclusively in freshwater bodies. Although it is primarily a piscivore, it also includes other animals in its diet. Let's get to know your diet below:
- Fishes of the genera Haplochromis and Tilapia
- Clawed Toad (Xenopus laevis)
- Crabs
- Frogs
- Dragonfly larvae
Feeding of the North American river otter (Lontra canadensis)
On the other hand, we have the North American river otter (Lontra canadensis), with mainly freshwater habits, but it can also be present in some marine coastal areas. Consume the following prey:
- Frogs
- Fishes
- River Crabs
- Turtles
- Birds
- Small mammals
- Eggs
- Aquatic plants
- Algae
Feeding of the neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis)
The neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis), although it is present in s altwater environments, is distributed in a wide variety of freshwater ecosystems. Given this last mentioned aspect, it is an opportunistic predator that takes advantage of the prey available in the habitat that it finds. His diet is based on:
- Fishes
- Crustaceans
- Amphibians
- Mammals
- Birds
- Insects
Feeding of the southern river otter (Lontra provocax)
As for the southern river otter (Lontra provocax), depending on the region where it is located, it can have fresh or s alt water habits. In this sense, when it is located in freshwater environments, its diet consists mainly of macrocrustaceans of the genus Aegla spp. and Sammastacus spp., and to a much lesser extent consumes fish, other crustaceans and amphibians
Feeding of the hairy-nosed otter (Lutra sumatrana)
The hairy-nosed otter (Lutra sumatrana), which also has freshwater habits, carries its diet based on:
- Fishes (Channidae, Belontiidae, Anabantidae, Notopteridae, among others)
- Water Snakes
- Frogs
- Insects
- Crabs
- Mammals
Feeding of the smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata)
Another species associated with fresh waters and also with mangroves is the smooth-haired otter (Lutrogale perspicillata), which is mainly found in plains related to these aquatic ecosystems. This type of otter feeds on:
- Fishes
- River Crabs
- Shrimp
- Rice Field Rat (Rattus argentiveter)
- Insects
- Birds
Giant otter feeding (Pteronura brasiliensis)
Finally, we can mention what giant otters (Pteronura brasiliensis) eat, which prefer undisturbed habitats, with a high density of vegetation and abundance of prey, such as:
- Fish (catfish, perch and char)
- Crustaceans
- Snakes
- Little Alligators
In the image we can see the giant river otter.
