Otter
Shetlopedia - The Shetland Encyclopaedia
| Wild Animals | |
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| Common Name: | European Otter or Eurasian Otter |
| Shetland Name: | Dratsi |
| Scientific Name: | Lutra Lutra |
| Norwegian Name: | Oter |
| Swedish Name: | Utter |
| German Name: | Otter |
| Best Places: | Coast of Yell Sound |
| Best Time: | |
The Otter is abundant in Shetland compared to the rest of the UK. In fact roughly 12% of the UK population of this species is found in the isles, yet because of their furtive nature they are seldom seen. Which makes photographs like those shown below even more remarkable.
Although originally thought to be native to Shetland, it is increasingly believed that they were introduced, possibly in Viking times.
Otters can be found in all areas of Shetland but the highest concentration is in the area around Yell Sound, this possibly due to the low coastline and also perhaps due to the ease with which the can burrow their holts (Shetland name; Hadds) in the soft peaty soil.
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Close-up pictures, taken Feb 2009, from 20 feet, just as the Otter had finished eating a very large crab.
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Series of pictures of an Otter coming ashore with a fish and eating it.
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