Welcome to Otterchat

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?search=otter&title=Special%3AMediaSearch&type=image&haslicense=unrestricted
has good hodge podge. Some historic pics and high quality ones like this snackulating otts

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cuter together

Does a spotted necked otter know that his neck is spotted?

>>3756

Spotted neck otters are excellent spotters, so I think most could spot when they're neck has been spotted. But I'm sure there are some younger otters whose spotting skills are spotty at best, they might not know.

If a spotted necked otter's neck is spotted and no one is around to spot it, does it have spots?

>>3758

Well how can it be spotted if no one is around to spot it! Of course the question remains, if you spot the otter but don't spot their spots, are they still spotted?

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Such a cool otter. Spotted necked otters' eyesight is really good and they tend to hunt by sight even underwater.

I really like this otter.

>>4418 (OP)

>Do you like this otter?

You know... it´s an otter! How can you NOT like it?

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>>4420

I did know it's an otter, but not everyone may know. So I made this educational image, informing people that it is an otter.

Awesome, I´d like to see this educational image as a poster on a billboard!

>>4371

That´s awesome! I would have loved to see that presentation.
I visited Botanika in Bremen today, it´s an asian-style botanical garden with animals, such as Beos, Koi fish as well as Gibbons. Absolutely worth the visit!
And Botanika is also home to Asian Small-Clawed Otters Lotta and Otis als well as their offspring, two female Otters (almost a year old).
On this special day, they got a brand-new raft to play with. It also has some treats hidden inside pipes, as well as under water. The Otters were really excited!
I really wanted to post pictures, but uploading fails everytime I try.

>>4392

>I really wanted to post pictures, but uploading fails everytime I try.

Sorry about that I fixed some things, try it again?

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>>4394

If it works, you´ll see some happy Otters with their new raft.

>>4395

That looks like great enrichment for them! I hope they had a great otterday and I'm glad you had a good time getting to see them

>>4371

How'd the presentation go?

>>4405 (OP)

Part two:
Otter Spotters
What can be done, to make life better for otters? This is where Otter spotters are important. We collect data in the field in two ways:
1. random findings: If I´m out in nature, I look for otter signs, such as footprints and spraints. If I find something, I document it by photo or video and enter it into this database: https://www.otterspotter.de/
The good news is: you don´t need to be a certified otter spotter to enter random findings. If you find something, just enter it here.
2. IUCN-Standartized method: this method is applied by otter spotters all throughout europe. There are pre-defined points of interest, which are checked for otter signs in regular intervals. For example, this can be a part of a river, with a bridge. Here only a 600m long downstrem section gets checked, it´s either positive or negative. This method requires some more advanced training, thus, you need to be an otter spotter.
Why is all of that necessary?
1. Keeping track of otter populations: where is the otter now? Science needs this data to better understand the behavior of our Eurasian Otter.
2. Eliminating hazards for the otter: If otter presence is verified by otter spotters, it may be possible to get government funding for making briges more otter friendly and as such, roads safer.
3. Creating safe-spaces: if Otters are positively identified in one area, it even may become a nature reserve.
In the next part, I´ll describe what otter spotter training looks like. Stay tuned!

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>>4407

Part three:
Becoming an Otter Spotter
I registered for the Otter Spotter course at Otterzentrum Hankensbüttel.
This course takes two days.
Last weekend there were over thirty otter interested people of all ages from all over Germany and the Netherlands in Hankensbüttel.
On the first day, we learned a lot about Otter biology and behavior. In theory and practical.
Makes sense, as there were live Eurasian Otters right in the Backyard!
The second day was about finding signs of Otter presence in the field. How to find clues and how to document them.
Also, the IUCN-Standard method was introduced. And yes- you get to smell the spraints! But once you get that smell,
you´ll definetly recognize it in the field. It´s very fishy, with a destinct anise or licorice smell to it.
As practical lessons, we entered an Otter enclosure in small groups to search for spraints and footprints.
The otters were there, too, but were completely unbothered. They briefly watched us and continued ottering around in their pool.
For context: Otterzentrum Hankensbüttel is not your average zoo with classic enclusures.
All mustelids are living in large enclosures which look a lot like their natural habitat, with woodland, ponds, rivers and plenty of hiding spaces. As a visitor, you really need to mind the feeding times, otherwise there is a chance, you don´t see any mustelids. No animal is forced to be on display for visitors.
After getting some experience in an controlled environment such as an otter enclosure, where you´ll definetly find something,
we drove to the river Ise and searched a bridge for otter signs. And found some!
Fresh footprints and spraints. It´s so cool to find something by yourself, I personally try to imagine how the otter was roaming arond
that place.
After two days of otter fun you get your certificate and are an official otter spotter!

Thanks for sharing all this! And congratulations on the certificate.
How much does it cost to become an otter spotter?
And how is the accomidation in the Otterzentrum during the course?

The course costs 100€ for non-members and 50€ for members of Aktion Fischotterschutz. Students get a 10% discount.
Things you need to pay extra: Lunch at the Otterzentrums own Restaurant (if you´re there, you NEED to try it, it is absolutely delicious!) as well as accomodation, which is not at Otterzentrum and have to organize yourself. Drinks, Coffee as well as cake are included in the costs and are available during the course.
Accomodation in the Otterzentrum are only for people serving a voluntary service year.

>>4372

Interesting theory, it does sound like something otters would do. I wonder if otters prefer the bellyflop or the cannonball. This should be investigated

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>>4258

>Otters can get in trees.

They also fit nicely into treestumps!

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>>4396

What do you call this sleeping position?

>>4397

*prendere il sole*

>>4397

>What do you call this sleeping position?

Praise the sun!

very particular it is

Is it a place for talking about... Otters?

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>>4361

Who knows...

Hahaha, that's a great illustration! Anyone could be at the keyboard, you just never know...

>>4342 (OP)

I'm not sure, but I remember reading somewhere that they don't really use their eyes underwater, instead relying on their whiskers for sense. Which would suggest poorer eyesight in dark conditions, if true.
Also, I suspect that it is Eurasian otters that are most active at night, but that is only a suspicion.

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>>4342 (OP)

This otter definitely sees at night, with glowing eyes like that. But I remember reading that otter's vision isn't their strongest sense, and they usually hunt with their whiskers underwater like >>4345

said
I found this article where they tried to study activity patterns for neotropical otters, and this part was interesting..

>The use of camera traps in two regions of Brazil, the Pantanal and the Atlantic Forest have revealed differing activity patterns in each area, this otter being diurnal in the former and nocturnal in the latter

so I guess the only answer is "it depends"

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>>4342 (OP)

>Do they have night vision so they can prowl in the dark?
Indeed they have: