Interesting Footprint - Otter?? (1 Viewer)

Ruby

Well-known member

• Apr 20, 2005

• #1

Hi Guys,

Anyone got any thoughts regarding this footprint - the coin pictured is a 1p to give an idea of scale.

My own thoughts are.... too big for a mink, too claw-y for a dog....

Gotta be an Otter!!

Where I found it there have been persistent rumours of Otters, but I don't know anyone who's actually seen one!!


Rgds... Ruby

 

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helenol

Well-known member

• Apr 20, 2005

• #2

A stoat, maybe?

 

Ruby

Well-known member

• Apr 20, 2005

• #3

Killjoy!!

Funnily enough - we did see a Stoat, but I reckon this print may be too big....

 

robinm

Registered User

• Apr 20, 2005

• #4

I'd like to think you're right. I've only seen otters once and that was in the Shetlands.

 

H

helenol

Well-known member

• Apr 20, 2005

• #5

Oops, sorry

ok, here's what me little book says about Otters:

Track: Medium: hind 8.5 x 6cm; fore 6.5 x 6cm. Tracks are square with a 3 or 4 lobed interdigital pad. 5 pads are normal, but sometimes only 4 show. In deep depressions a single proximal pad is present.

 

Ruby

Well-known member

• Apr 20, 2005

• #6

Just teasing Helen....

So - yer average 1p is about 2 cm, so that's maybe about right for a fore footprint...

Robin - This was at Stodmarsh, about halfway along the river there...

 

robinm

Registered User

• Apr 20, 2005

• #7

Ruby said:

Robin - This was at Stodmarsh, about halfway along the river there...

Click to expand...

I've heard that they have been seen there.

I was there on Sunday. Not a bad day - first Hobby of the year amongst others.

 

CornishExile

rydhsys rag Kernow lemmyn!

• Apr 20, 2005

• #8

Mmm. Looks more dog than otter to me - the soft deep mud likely to accentuate the claws, particularly if the dog in question doesn't do much 'road-work' and they're not worn down.

But there definitely are Otters on the R Stour.

 

Ruby

Well-known member

• Apr 20, 2005

• #9

CornishExile said:

Mmm. Looks more dog than otter to me - the soft deep mud likely to accentuate the claws, particularly if the dog in question doesn't do much 'road-work' and they're not worn down.

But there definitely are Otters on the R Stour.

Click to expand...

Hmmm.. Now that I come to think of it, as well as a Stoat, I DO remember seeing a decidedly damp labrador.....

 

David FG

The Big Dipper

• Apr 20, 2005

• #10

Doesn't looked webbed to me, and too big for an otter, surely? I'd go for a dog (though there are otters on the Stour.)

 

Ruby

Well-known member

• Apr 21, 2005

• #11

.. Been doing a little bit of investigation myelf, and forced to the conclusion that this isn't an Otter print, but probably something much more mundane, like a dog!!

Interested in the couple of comments regarding Otters on the R Stour.... Does anyone have any more details??


Rgds... Ruby

 

CornishExile

rydhsys rag Kernow lemmyn!

• Apr 21, 2005

• #12

Ruby said:

.. Been doing a little bit of investigation myelf, and forced to the conclusion that this isn't an Otter print, but probably something much more mundane, like a dog!!

Interested in the couple of comments regarding Otters on the R Stour.... Does anyone have any more details??

Rgds... Ruby

Click to expand...

They're an absolute bugger to see in riverine habitat I'm afraid Ruby. (They're not exactly easy in coastal settings either). In either case it's really a matter of sheer good fortune to find them in the first place. The problem with rivers is that there's plenty of cover, and these incredibly shy mammals will bolt at the first sign of disturbance. At least at the coast you've a chance of first spotting them from a distance, and stalking your way closer to them without disturbing them.

The closest you're likely to get to an Otter on the Stour is finding some Otter spraint, easily identifiable when rubbed between finger and thumb by it's musky, sweet fishy smell. You'll learn by bitter experience what it looks like; it's a steep learning curve punctuated with other less pleasant poo on the way!

The more undisturbed bits of the Stour between Chilham and Wye are as good a place as anywhere; if nothing else there are Kingfishers and Grey Wagtails to make the whole experience a bit less jading. I'd go as early in the morning as you can, as again, Otters prefer things to be quiet and peaceful. Be as silent as you can, and you might just sneak up on one unawares. Dog Otters seem to like slobbing around and grooming in the sun if they think they're on their own; more than one Otter together (ie, male and female or female and cubs) will be your best bet for knowing they're nearby, as they tend to be quite vocal, with plenty of squeaking and wheezing calls.

Good luck!

Jon

 

jurek

Well-known member

• Apr 21, 2005

• #13

I'd go for a dog, with toes spread in mud. Otter should have webbed feet.

But I wish everybody sightings of otters

 

Ruby

Well-known member

• Apr 21, 2005

• #14

Hi Jon,

THanks for that - very interesting and good info...

Have you been lucky enough to see one on the Stour??

Jurek - I fear that you are correct!!


Rgds.... Ruby

 

CornishExile

rydhsys rag Kernow lemmyn!

• Apr 21, 2005

• #15

Ruby said:

Hi Jon,

THanks for that - very interesting and good info...

Have you been lucky enough to see one on the Stour??

Jurek - I fear that you are correct!!


Rgds.... Ruby

Click to expand...

No, I've not seen one on the Stour, Ruby, for all the usual reasons. But I have found spraint on several occasions between 1992 and 2003, with increasing frequency latterly. Whether they're residents or transients I honestly couldn't say. But...

(you're not going to like this, sorry!)

... I do see them fairly regularly here in Shetland, probably once a fortnight or so, sometimes more often. Most frequently when I'm out birding around the coast near my house, but sometimes (you really won't like this!!) from the house itself, as it overlooks a great piece of shoreline. The last couple of winters we've had a female using one of our byres (the one I store sacks of peat in for the fire) as a temporary holt; several times I've walked in to find her scrambling away over the sacks, and swearing at me in Otter from the back of the byre. She's quite feisty!

Friends on the island are especially blessed for Otters, as they live near a tidal lagoon (a houb), and often see Otters fishing only a few feet from their window. A few weeks ago I was there watching a female and two of presumably last year's cubs fishing along the shore, maybe some 12 feet away.

If you're ever coming to Shetland, let me know. I'll try and give you some directions to finally meeting your Otter.

Jon

 

Ruby

Well-known member

• Apr 21, 2005

• #16

Sounds fantastic Jon - You're very lucky to be able to see them so regularly.

I'll be keeping my eye out in future...

 

adehinch

Well-known member

• Aug 4, 2005

• #17

hi ... i'd go along with the dog theory i'm afraid. with a dogs footprint if you draw a line straight through the middle of the print it will be symetrical, an otter is not.

 

mothman

Well-known member

• Aug 20, 2005

• #18

Yep I would go with Dog, as in such deep mud the fith toe of an otter would show clearly as would the webbing.

Colin.