The Otter (Lutrinae) belongs to the family of the martens,(Mustelidae). It`s population is spreaded all over the world, the map besides shows the otter population.

The otters natural habitat is the water (including the sea) and the land.

The length of Otters varies from 41-64 cm, taillength 25-35 cm and a weight of 5 kg for the Asian Small Clawed Otter to the length of 96-123 cm, taillength of 45-65 cm and a weight of 30 kg for the Giant Otter in south america.

The Sea Otter is a bit shorter and can reach a weight of 45 kg.

The fur of an otter shows brown and grey shades. Its mostly darker on the upper side than on the chest, neck and underside where it is brighter. Their "Tragezeit" is mostly 60 to 70 days, but some up to 12 months delayed.

Otters are usually found in or near water and are well adapted for aquatic life. Their ears and nose close when they submerge, and their streamlined bodies, webbed feet and long tails contribute to their excellent swimming ability. Their eyes are located near the top of the skull, allowing otters to see above the surface while swimming nearly submerged. A fat layer under the skin and its dense, oily fur protect the otter in extremely cold water. The facial whiskers are extremely sensitive to touch, enabling the otter to locate food items in turbid water. The sense of smell is also acute, but the senses of sight and hearing are less well developed.