Otters have long, slim bodies and powerful jaws. Their fur is chestnut brown and is slightly lighter on the belly. They are most active at dusk and during the night. They occasionally come out in the day, but usually rest in their river bank burrows known as a ‘holt’.
Otters can be found in the larger rivers and estuaries. They can also be found in the sea but always remain close to the coast.
Otters are specially adapted for life in the water. They have webbed toes and a powerful tail which they use to propel themselves through the water. Otters can also close their ears and nostrils while underwater. They have two types of fur: a waterproof top coat with a dense, fine fur underneath. This gives them insulation against the cold.
Carnivore: Otters feed on fish, crustaceans, water birds, frogs and voles. They can use their whiskers to sense the movement of their prey underwater which is great for hunting in murky water!
Otters suffered from a dramatic population crash in the 1960's. This was caused by poisoning from agricultural pesticides which drained into river systems. This threat has now passed. Nowadays their biggest threat comes from a loss of territory and dangers from traffic. At some places within the National Park there are otter crossing signs to warn motorists of the danger and otter passes beneath the busy roads.
Otters need large territories to survive, with male otters needing between 20-40km of river bank as their home range. Decline in suitable habitats in the New Forest means there are fewer otters in the National Park.