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Carnivora
Lutra Lutra
Nomenclature
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Family: MustelidaeGenus: Lutra
Species:
Lutra Lutra
SUMMARY
It is the otter with the widest geographical range. The dorsal part of the body is brown and the ventral part is white. The bones show osteosclerosis to reduce the buoyancy of the animal. It measures 57-95 cm in body length, 35-45 cm in tail length and 7-12 kg in body mass. The females are shorter than the males.
It is a nonseasonal breeder and mating happens in water. Gestation period lasts 60-64 days and they reach sexual maturity in about 2.5 years. The lifespan in captivity is 22 years.
Its diet includes mainly fish, but in winter it includes also amphibians, crustaceans, insects, birds and mammals (rodents).