Otter at Strumpshaw Fen by Elizabeth Dack 1/9
Otter at Strumpshaw Fen by Elizabeth Dack 2/9
Young otter by Elizabeth Dack 3/9
Otter at Strumpshaw Fen by Elizabeth Dack 4/9
Otter in Little Ouse by Wendy Petty 5/9
Otter by Eddie Deane 6/9
Otter by Elizabeth Dack 7/9
Otter feeding by Elizabeth Dack 8/9
Otter by Elizabeth Dack 9/9

Otter Lutra lutra

With its broad head and long, wide tail the otter has a very distinctive appearance and is easily identified. Being a semi-aquatic and nocturnal creature does, though, make this furtive animal difficult to spot. However, it often leaves tell tale signs behind.

Conservation status

The number of otters is increasing in Norfolk. Otters declined catastrophically throughout England in the late 1950s. In Norfolk by the 1970s most traditional otter sites were deserted and whole river systems no longer supported any otters. Today though, otters have returned to most of their former haunts in Norfolk. This conservation success story is the result of both better legal protection for otters and the banning of the pesticides which poisoned them.


Did you know?

An otter can roam 10kms in one night.

The otter’s droppings are known as spraint and otters use them to mark their territories

How to recognise
Where to see
When to see
How to help

Related questions & advice

Is the otter a protected species?
What do otters eat?
Where do otters live?
How do I know if otters are present on a site?
Has an otter or mink eaten my fish?
How do I tell the difference between a mink and an otter?
How to prevent Otters predating fisheries and ponds
When were Otters reintroduced to Norfolk?
Share this