The Marine otter (Lontra felina)

Habitat

This otter lives in a very similar environment to most of the Eurasian otters in Scotland, that is rocky coastline.  Mainly littoral, occupying rocky coastal areas, secluded bays and inlets near river estuaries. Studied on the north end of Chiloe Island, Chile, in an area characterised by a rocky shore of irregular topography with a heavy swell and a constant strong northeasterly, westerly or southwesterly winds, a tidal range of 2.0 to 2.5m, and a dense cover of shrubs and small trees stunted by wind and poor soil extending down to the high-water mark. Below this there is a heavy growth of seaweed and algae. It usually lives in small caves above the high water mark with plenty of vegetation cover.   It is found along the Pacific coast from Peru to the southern tip of South America.

CURRENT POPULATION

No estimate is presently available, although the species has become extinct over much of its range, and elsewhere exists in much reduced numbers.

SIZE AND WEIGHT

Breeding at Chiloe Island occurs in the summer with mating observed from December to January. Gestation period lasts somewhere between 60 and 120 days with young born in autumn and winter. Normal litter size is two although a four to five has been quoted for populations in the Magallanes area..

DIET

The diet of the Sea Cat is varied but they rely largely on crabs, mollusks and bottom living organisms, although on some occasions they will enter rivers in search of freshwater prawns.  The feeding activity seems largely to occur late morning and afternoon although much research is still needed on the nocturnal activities of this species.

THREATS

The main threats to this endangered species used to be hunting and trapping for fur. The Red Data Book recorded that by 1968 the Sea Cat had been virtually exterminated from Cape Horn to Southern Tierra del Fuego.  In Chile it was otter of the most prized mammals to be hunted but today it has the full protection of the Chilean government. However in Chile, Argentina and Peru illegal  poaching for the domestic market still goes on and habitat destruction and water pollution pose and even greater threat.

 THE FACTS

 Conservation Status: Endangered 

Chile:  Threatened

Peru: Small isolated populations

 Size: 0.87 –1.15 m

 Weight: 5kg 

Gestation: 9 weeks 

Litter size:  Usually 2 but can be 4 to 5 cubs. 

Diet: Rock fish 30%, Crustaceans 40%, Molluscs 20% and other 10%. 

Threats: illegal poaching for furs and pelts, habitat destruction  

Distribution of the Marine Otter (Lontra felina)

Data based on Otters and Action Plan for their conservation (IUCN 1990) and world otters (IOSF 2005)

IOSF Projects