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Description
Although small river otters have been present in various capacities for many millions of years, the two species found today are both fairly recent arrivals. An otter of the modern genus Lutra that came from Pleistocene Asia and quickly established itself throughout the known world. These otters were more social and intelligent than existing species, giving them significant advantages over their generally solitary competition. Lutra quickly became the dominant river otter genus. The later Pleistocene harvest from Europe brought in new river otters. Lutra brought at this time integrated into the local populations, giving a boost of cold resistance and allowing otters to spread into highlands and along the southern coasts of Arvel and Pakardia.

One otter of the Lutra genus in Arvel became particularly prolific around a hundred thousand years ago. They were socially complex and comfortable in both fresh and saltwater. Although earlier Lutra have some legacies, this animal is now called the common otter as it’s lineage is now found throughout the known world and most other otters are rare in its range. The common otter breeds fast, has nomadic inclinations, is extremely curious, and can hunt a wide range of food. Most cultures regard them as tricksters for their playful nature and often frustrating ability to manipulate traps and snares for both them and the prey they choose to eat. In fact they target traps or wait near them and let the traps do the work for them, making them a particular menace to the peoples living near them. So far efforts to domesticate them and harness this clever critter have failed, as captive otters are much more inclined to escape their enclosure than apply that effort in a domesticated setting.

Description
Although small river otters have been present in various capacities for many millions of years, the two species found today are both fairly recent arrivals. An otter of the modern genus Lutra that came from Pleistocene Asia and quickly established itself throughout the known world. These otters were more social and intelligent than existing species, giving them significant advantages over their generally solitary competition. Lutra quickly became the dominant river otter genus. The later Pleistocene harvest from Europe brought in new river otters. Lutra brought at this time integrated into the local populations, giving a boost of cold resistance and allowing otters to spread into highlands and along the southern coasts of Arvel and Pakardia.

One otter of the Lutra genus in Arvel became particularly prolific around a hundred thousand years ago. They were socially complex and comfortable in both fresh and saltwater. Although earlier Lutra have some legacies, this animal is now called the common otter as it’s lineage is now found throughout the known world and most other otters are rare in its range. The common otter breeds fast, has nomadic inclinations, is extremely curious, and can hunt a wide range of food. Most cultures regard them as tricksters for their playful nature and often frustrating ability to manipulate traps and snares for both them and the prey they choose to eat. In fact they target traps or wait near them and let the traps do the work for them, making them a particular menace to the peoples living near them. So far efforts to domesticate them and harness this clever critter have failed, as captive otters are much more inclined to escape their enclosure than apply that effort in a domesticated setting.