HOME | DD

Description
General:
Cave otters (Lutra pseudoculum) are curious animals, investigating anything foreign that enters their habitat although they will still keep their distance in case the 'visitor' is a threat (they are also wary of predators). These mustelids are for the most part solitary although they can be quite social (especially when mating) and found in small groups although these are rare cases.

Despite their name, cave otters only spend a small part of their lives in caves (such as hiding their young while the female hunts for food) and prefer to live outside and swim in rivers.

A unique feature of these animals are the round, red spots on their cheek; these are actually filled with bioluminescent bacteria that light up whenever the otter enters a cave or moves at night, giving the appereance of large, red eyes that help to scare off any predators.

Diet:
Cave otters, like their relatives, generally feed on fish although they will, if given the chance, take small mammals and eggs.

Size:
At up to 1.5 metres (5 feet) long, Cave Otters are the second largest species of otter in the world, next to the giant river otter.

Cave Otters (c) me

Description
General:
Cave otters (Lutra pseudoculum) are curious animals, investigating anything foreign that enters their habitat although they will still keep their distance in case the 'visitor' is a threat (they are also wary of predators). These mustelids are for the most part solitary although they can be quite social (especially when mating) and found in small groups although these are rare cases.

Despite their name, cave otters only spend a small part of their lives in caves (such as hiding their young while the female hunts for food) and prefer to live outside and swim in rivers.

A unique feature of these animals are the round, red spots on their cheek; these are actually filled with bioluminescent bacteria that light up whenever the otter enters a cave or moves at night, giving the appereance of large, red eyes that help to scare off any predators.

Diet:
Cave otters, like their relatives, generally feed on fish although they will, if given the chance, take small mammals and eggs.

Size:
At up to 1.5 metres (5 feet) long, Cave Otters are the second largest species of otter in the world, next to the giant river otter.

Cave Otters (c) me