These shy mammals are notoriously hard to spot but worth it when you do. You will most likely find them along our canals and rivers or on other wetlands. Follow our tips to see an otter in the wild.
There are 13 different species worldwide, but the Eurasian otter is the only kind in the UK.
1. Scan the water surface
There's little to see above the surface when otters swim dextrously beneath the water. However, there are a few clues if you know what to look for.
If you're lucky, you might see their heads and back. But you're much more likely to spot the V-shape wave left behind.
When otters dive, they can hold their breath for up to 30 seconds, resurfacing several metres away. You may catch sight of their tail or the stream of bubbles as they dive – and keep scanning the water surface to see them pop up again.
The average UK otter is over a metre in length, and weighs between 6-8kg.
2. Listen for them
They might be shy, but otters can be noisy creatures, especially as pups. Otters like to get playful with each other, and if you keep an ear out near their territory, you might hear them scrabbling about or splashing in the water.
3. Use your nose
Otters leave scented messages – known as 'spraints' – by fallen trees, weirs, and bridges to signal mates and defend their territory. These spraints contain fish bones and often have a distinctive, sweet but fishy smell, sometimes reminiscent of jasmine.
Keep an eye out for green-black spraints along our canals or riverbanks. A closer look might tell you what the otter has been eating recently!
4. Look for tracks
If you've not had any luck looking for spraints – or you prefer not to sniff around for otter droppings – then look for other tracks they leave behind.
Otter prints are easily identified by the five claws and webbing that distinguish them from other animals.
Start your search along muddy riverbanks or towpaths first thing in the morning before other canal-side traffic wipes them away.
Otters mostly eat fish, but will also feed on birds, other mammals, and frogs.
5. Head out at dusk or dawn
Otters are nocturnal creatures and are most active around dusk or dawn when they come out to feed. To boost your chances of seeing an otter, head out to their known haunts in the evening or early morning. That said, otters are also sometimes spotted during the day.
The time of year matters, too. Otters can breed all year round, but in the UK, they tend to give birth in the summer. During their first ten weeks, the mother teaches her pups how to hunt, navigate their territory, and swim. If you listen carefully, you might hear the pups communicating with one another – giving away their location.
6. Keep quiet
Like most wild animals, otters are easily spooked. Keep the noise down. Try to avoid wearing 'loud' clothing, like waterproofs that rustle when you move.
If you're out at night, use a red light on your torch to minimise disturbance. And remember to be safe by water.
Otters are a legally protected species, and it's an offence to get too close.
Ducks are plentiful along our canals and rivers. Watch out for any unusual behaviour from our ducks, such as sudden alertness and fixing their eyes on the same spot. If an otter is around, they might move to the edge of the water.
Other birds also display different behaviours when an otter is present. Gulls, for instance, follow otters in the hope of scavenging for scraps. They fly low over the water, keeping a watchful gaze on the otter.
8. Know where to look
Otters are timid creatures, but if you know where to look, you might spot one. They often make their homes near or under bridges, among rocky banks, or at river or canal junctions. They like clean, fresh water with an abundance of food and secluded, overgrown vegetation.
To boost your odds, find a quiet stretch and be patient. That said, otters have been sighted in some of our busiest cities.
Recent conservation efforts mean that otters are making themselves at home in urban areas, like Sheffield, Birmingham and London. Otters need large territories, and as populations recover, they've moved into towns and cities where our canals offer plenty of fish to eat.
