Description
The otter is a slender, water-loving member of the weasel family that lives along rivers, lakes, and canals. After decades of absence, the otter is returning to the Netherlands, notably in the Weerribben-Wieden and Biesbosch.
Behavior
Otters are mainly active at dusk and at night. They're excellent swimmers and divers. They're territorial and mark riverbanks with droppings (spraint).
What to do
Enjoy them from a distance. Otters are shy and will move off or slip into the water if approached. Never touch one — they can bite.
Pro tip
Spraint (otter droppings) on a streamside rock has a distinctly musky smell and is a sure sign of presence. Look along quiet waterside stretches at dusk.
Interesting fact
Otters can stay underwater for up to 4 minutes and reach swimming speeds of 12 km/h. They eat about 1 kg of fish every day.