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Enhydra lutris


Enhydra lutris
Photo Information
Copyright: Marjan Gresl (marjan) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 474 W: 14 N: 360] (2641)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-10-27
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Minolta Dimage Z1
Exposure: f/3.5, 1/100 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2005-11-03 10:35
Viewed: 1982
Points: 16
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Description

The elusive common otter has sleek brown fur, which is often paler on the underside, and a long lithe body with a thick tail and short legs. Adaptations for an aquatic lifestyle include webbed feet, the ability to close the small ears and the nose when under water, and very dense, short fur which traps a layer of air to insulate the animal. Many sensitive hairs ('vibrissae') frame the snout; these help the otter to locate prey. Vocalisations include a high-pitched whistle between a mother and her cubs, twittering noises produced during play-fighting and cat-like noises when fighting.

this one is from Lisbona aquatic parc.

Chris Harison sand me a note about it.
Maybe it is sea otter
I am not shure ...
something about see otter:
It is one of the largest mustelids, second only to the giant otter of South America. Males are slightly larger than the females.

Their large, rounded head is set on a thick neck, with very small ears set low to the sides that are capable of closing when the animal dives. Their body is thick. Their front legs are short, but their back legs are long. Their hind paws are broad, flat, and webbed, while their front paws are small and have retractible claws.

They are generally a greyish brown in color, with a cream-colored head, throat and chest. Their fur is extremely dense, and is comprised mostly of undercoat hairs that are about 25 cm in length. In fact, it is the densest of all mammalian fur, having about 100,000 hairs per sq cm. They need this thick, long, dense hair to protect them from the cold water, since, unlike other marine mammals, they lack the insulating layer of subcutaneous fat. If the fur becomes soiled, for instance by oil, the hair looses its insulating properties and the animal dies.

Sea otters are the only carnivores that have four, instead of six, lower incisors. Their molars are broad and flat, adapted for crushing the shells of molluscs and crustaceans. Unlike most other mustelids, the sea otter completely lacks anal glands. Females have a single pair of abdominal mammae.
glazzaro, TAZ, Circe, xuaxo has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To xuaxo: hi Franciscomarjan 1 10-12 14:56
To chrish: lutra lutramarjan 2 10-12 14:41
To TAZ: lutra lutramarjan 1 11-04 15:11
To ellis49: lutra lutramarjan 1 11-03 12:29
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Marjan,
It's a nice picture ot this beautiful animal.
A bit soft but well composed and good POV.
Well done.

Hi Marjan,
this is soooooo lovely, what a wonderful moment you have captured. Very well done, thanks
Sabine - wishnugaruda

Very beautiful capture.

Are you sure this animal isn't a Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris) rather than a Common Otter (Lutra lutra)? I base that on the roundness of the face, the light fur on the top of the head and the behavior of floating on its back.

Solid shot, nice detail.

Greg

  • Great 
  • TAZ Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2241 W: 47 N: 3167] (10926)
  • [2005-11-04 4:02]
  • [+]

What a nice and interesting shot ! Congratulations Marjan and thanks for sharing.

PS : the raison of my too short comment is on the forum...

Hi Marjan,
Lovely shot of this very cute otter. I like its pose. Good composition and colours. Well seen!
Claudia

  • Great 
  • Circe Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 54 W: 4 N: 22] (86)
  • [2005-12-24 3:00]

Hola Marjan, gracias por tu comentario.
Me gusta mucho esta fotografia, tan natural, tan intima.
Excelente encuadre y punto de vista.
Gracias por la nota explicativa.
Un saludo de circe.

  • Great 
  • marod (26)
  • [2006-01-17 4:22]

Hello Marjan.

Nice picture of our friend :). It´s interesting to notice that the otter is in the same position as in my photo.
Thanks for sharing

  •      
  • xuaxo Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 24 W: 0 N: 16] (110)
  • [2006-10-12 14:37]
  • [+]

I don't know much about animals, but if this photo was taken at the Lisbon's Oceanário, this should be the Enhydra lutris. See also: www.oceanario.pt.
F

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