. The illustrated natural history [microform]. Mammals; Natural history; Mammifères; Sciences naturelles. (^f^^-'-^fc- If ' I ^'9»«^^^ i OTTER.—iH(|-o vuloarU. near the water as possible, so that in case of a sudden alarm the mother Otter Jiiay plunge into tlie stream together with her young family, and find a refuge among the vegetation that skirts the river banks. The number of the young is from three to five, and they make their appearance about ]\Iarch or April. Although at the present day the custom of Otter-hunting lias necessarily fallen into disuse, it sometimes occurs that a stray Ott
. The illustrated natural history [microform]. Mammals; Natural history; Mammifères; Sciences naturelles. (^f^^-'-^fc- If ' I ^'9»«^^^ i OTTER.—iH(|-o vuloarU. near the water as possible, so that in case of a sudden alarm the mother Otter Jiiay plunge into tlie stream together with her young family, and find a refuge among the vegetation that skirts the river banks. The number of the young is from three to five, and they make their appearance about ]\Iarch or April. Although at the present day the custom of Otter-hunting lias necessarily fallen into disuse, it sometimes occurs that a stray Otter is discovered in some stream, and is in lonsequcnce the subject of continual annoyances until it finally falls under the hands of its jiersccutors. When attacked, tlie Otter is a tierce and desperate fighter, biting and suaiipiug with the most deadly energy, and never yielding as long as life remains witliiu tlie body. The bite of an angiy Otter is extremely severe; for the creature has a lialtit of Inting most savagely, and then sliaking its head violently, as if it were trying to kill a rat. There arc; few dogs which can con([uer an Otter in fair fight, and the combat is j.^eni'rally ended by the spear of one of the inxnters. Even when transfixed with the (ieadly weapon, the Otter gives no sign of yielding, but furiously bites the staff, sullen and silent to the last. Tlie track whicli the Otter makes upon the bank is easily distinguishable from that of any other animal, on account of the "seal," or impression, which is made by a certain imiiid ball on the sole of the foot. On account of the powerfully-scented secretion with which the Otter is furnished by nature, it is readily followed by dogs, who are always eager after the si>ort, although they may not be very willing to engage in single fight with .so redoulitable an ojiponent. An Otter has lieen known to turn savagely upon a dog that was urged to attack it, to drag it into tin; water, and to drown it
Size: 1007px × 2482px
Photo credit: © The Book Worm / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, booksubjectmammals, booksubjectnaturalhistory
