He May 28 The World -day dayA day dedicated to raising awareness about the situation of this charismatic aquatic mammal, of vital importance for river ecosystems but increasingly threatened by human activity.
What is an otter?
The Otter is a semiacatic mammal from the Sustélidos group. Exist 13 species All over the world, from Eurasian food (Luther Luther) at the Amazon Giant (Pteronura Brasiliensis). They live in rivers, lakes, wetlands and marine coasts, depending on clean water bodies and with good biodiversity. They are swimmers, thanks to their elongated body, palm -paled legs and a strong tail.
Curiosa about Otters
Nets are very social, intelligent and playful animals. They use aids, such as stones, to open shells or shellfish. Some types form family groups and can communicate with a wide range of sounds. His fur is one of the closest in the animal kingdom: even 1 million hairs per square centimeterwho protects them against cold.
A species in silent regression
The otters have disappeared from many regions because of the Water pollution, habitat destruction, hunting your skin and competition with fish. In Europe, the Eurasyathic Otter was almost extinct in different areas until recently. Many species stay down or in a vulnerable situation worldwide.
World Auton’s theme 2025
This year’s motto is «Live rivers, current Otes». The campaign aims to emphasize the connection between the health of the river and the survival of Otters, where urgent actions are called to restore and protect aquatic ecosystems.
Donate May 28 And like every year, the Last Wednesday of this monththe World nasal day. An aquatic mammal that seriously runs the danger in different parts of the world, although in Europe, thanks to recovery programs and changes in eating habits of this species, a fantastic recovery is registered in almost all countries of the continent.
After almost disappeared, the European Nutria He gradually returns to his original distribution areas. One of the great help falls on a great paradox: the Otes have learned to feed with a Invasive speciesThe American Crab (Procambarus Clarkii), which led to his recovery.
What happened to them?
The European Nutria (Luther Luther))also called Euro -RollianIt used to be throughout Europe and Asia, from Ireland to Japan, as well as in North Africa, outside the desert areas, near water currents and up to 2000 meters height.
The decline was due to various causes, the most important of which is the pollution On the river flows that it depends on their survival, as a result of spilling, waste, etc. Moreover, from the Middle Ages he was intensely hunted by his skin and sometimes for his flesh and under the pretext that he presented a heavy competition to fishermen.
The otters are usually also the victims of human facilities: roads, bridges, dams, waste of phytosanitary products (in particular pesticides and insecticides) in the water, which decimate the fish that form most of their food.
Characteristics of European Otter
The European Otter is a semi -communicative carnivorous mammal from the Lutrine family, related to the Mustelidae. Perfectly adapted to the liquid element, sometimes they fish in salt water, although of course they need fresh water to drink and wash.
The fur is particularly dense, dark brown and consists of 98% by fine and wavy filling hairs, covered with longer and thick hairs that protect the moisture of moisture. With this fur, Otter can limit heat loss.
His flat skull presents the ears, eyes and nostrils on the same plane, so that he can observe, feel and see everything that happens around him without having to get his head out of the water. Although it has no specific sexual dimorphism, men are usually larger than women.
The European Otter measures between 1 meter and 1.30 meters long, a third of which corresponds to the tail and weighs between 6 and 11 kg. This mammal, which is a very good swimmer and mainly feeds on fish, but also of amphibians, invertebrates and rarer of mammals, birds or reptiles.
There World Case 2025Remember that he can spend part of his time out of the water and that he has a broad hunting group. The scope of a man can be up to 40 km and will live several women. The otter requires a lot of food, because it takes about a kilogram per day, which represents between 10 and 15% of his weight.
How to help them?
The best way to help this species is to apply the simplest and most effective formula: to leave them alone. Don’t hunt them. Avoid polluting freshwater flows that are where they hunt and live for most of the day and find it absolutely essential to survive. Do not catch them as pets, because they are not and cannot be dangerous when their primary and wild instincts grow and come up.
There World Case 2025 It is essential to assess that the presence of otters in rivers and streams is a sign that these currents have good health. So we apply common sense and we stop Primar our egoism and long to comfort, in the light of the survival of the rest of living things; in this case; The Otters.
- Protection rivers and Wetlands: Support for projects that restore natural aquatic environments.
- Do not throw waste in the water: Pollution has a direct influence on the otters and their prey.
- Do not buy otter skin products: Although it is forbidden in many countries, there is still illegal market.
- Participate in counts and observations: Help NGOs and universities to follow their presence.
- Spread his history: Few people know the situation of Otters; Your voice can make a difference.