Avon Avians
Well-known member
Hello folks!
I have a question concerning outdoor ponds and otters.
We had considered building a pond in our yard for ornamental purposes as well as to attract wildlife.
Whether or not we stock the pond with fish is really dependent on the wildlife we intend to attract.
Ponds without fish seem to attract the most amphibians, while ponds with fish seem to attract more herons and kingfishers.
We live near a river, and have an abundance of herons of kingfishers around our town.
Because of this, I suppose that there isn't a high chance that we could stock the pond with expensive fish.
However, we also have a red-eared slider turtle, and I had occasionally considered moving her to an outdoor pond.
I do not believe that herons or kingfishers would bother a turtle of her size, as she is a mature slider, with an 8" carapace length.
However, I do know that river otters would kill even a large turtle.
There happens to be a pond not very far from our house, and we've seen a river otter foraging in it.
However, our town is sort of suburban, and I'm not sure if an otter would venture into our yard under normal circumstances.
However, I could be wrong. If otters do venture around in towns, then I would certainly not house our red-eared slider outside.
But anyway, has anyone had any experience with otters in their ponds, particularly near towns? Is it normal, or a rare occurrence?
Also, do otters have any special ability that allows them to locate ponds or foraging grounds, or do they just wander around in search of them?
I'm open to information regarding Eurasian otters, although our local species is the North American river otter.
Any input would be appreciated. Thanks! God bless!
I have a question concerning outdoor ponds and otters.
We had considered building a pond in our yard for ornamental purposes as well as to attract wildlife.
Whether or not we stock the pond with fish is really dependent on the wildlife we intend to attract.
Ponds without fish seem to attract the most amphibians, while ponds with fish seem to attract more herons and kingfishers.
We live near a river, and have an abundance of herons of kingfishers around our town.
Because of this, I suppose that there isn't a high chance that we could stock the pond with expensive fish.
However, we also have a red-eared slider turtle, and I had occasionally considered moving her to an outdoor pond.
I do not believe that herons or kingfishers would bother a turtle of her size, as she is a mature slider, with an 8" carapace length.
However, I do know that river otters would kill even a large turtle.
There happens to be a pond not very far from our house, and we've seen a river otter foraging in it.
However, our town is sort of suburban, and I'm not sure if an otter would venture into our yard under normal circumstances.
However, I could be wrong. If otters do venture around in towns, then I would certainly not house our red-eared slider outside.
But anyway, has anyone had any experience with otters in their ponds, particularly near towns? Is it normal, or a rare occurrence?
Also, do otters have any special ability that allows them to locate ponds or foraging grounds, or do they just wander around in search of them?
I'm open to information regarding Eurasian otters, although our local species is the North American river otter.
Any input would be appreciated. Thanks! God bless!