. The land and sea mammals of Middle America and the West Indies . facial mark. Meastiremoits. Total length, 510; tail, iSo; hind foot, 52(skin). Otters are mainly aquatic in their habits, and their food is fish,which they capture by swimming. In the water the Otter moveswith ease, its action even graceful, and it dives instantaneouslyeither to escape danger or to pursue its finny prey. The nest or sleep-ing place of this animal is formed of grass, and is usually placedamong the roots of a tree, or in a hole in the bank of a stream, or inthe hollow of a tree near water. As a digger the Otter i
. The land and sea mammals of Middle America and the West Indies . facial mark. Meastiremoits. Total length, 510; tail, iSo; hind foot, 52(skin). Otters are mainly aquatic in their habits, and their food is fish,which they capture by swimming. In the water the Otter moveswith ease, its action even graceful, and it dives instantaneouslyeither to escape danger or to pursue its finny prey. The nest or sleep-ing place of this animal is formed of grass, and is usually placedamong the roots of a tree, or in a hole in the bank of a stream, or inthe hollow of a tree near water. As a digger the Otter is not famous,and its retreats are usually those formed by nature, or by some bur-rowing animal. Otters are playful creatures, and their chief amuse-ment is sliding. The highest place in the bank, or if in winter thetopmost ridge of snow is selected, and lying on its stomach with thefront legs laid backward, giving itself a push with the hind feet, itglides head-first down the declivity, and this is repeated many times. FIELD COLUMBIAN MUSEUM. PLATE LI, LUTRA 46 Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. Coll. ,;. nat. size. LUTRIN/E. LUTRA. 535 the animal after each descent scrambhng awkwardly to the top foranother plunge downward. Otters are eagerly sought by trappers,on account of their beautiful fur, which is very thick and of a richcolor, and possesses good wearing qualities. It has been pursued,like all other fur-bearing animals, with such persistency and success,that in most localities it has become very scarce, and in others hasdisappeared entirely. North of Mexico a number of species andraces are recognized at the present time, and how many exist southof the Mexican boundary is not definitely known. Sub f am. Lutrinae, Body lengthened, supple; tail long, tapering, depressed, sidesrounded; feet short, broad, palmate; digits distinct, center one thelongest; claws small; head broad, muzzle short; soles and palms hairy:eyes and ears small. 103. Liitia. OtttTs. ;;P.
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, booksubjectmammals, bookyear1904
