Otters
Abstract
Hans Kruuk's previous Wild Otters was the first, and until now the only, book to cover both natural history and scientific research on behaviour and ecology of otters in Europe. The present book is a revision, rewrite, and update, now covering all species of otter in North America as well as Europe and elsewhere. Aimed at naturalists, scientists, and conservationists, in a personal style and with many illustrations, it describes the ecology and behaviour of some of the most charismatic and enigmatic mammals in our environment, as well as the research to understand their particular ecological problems. With over 650 references, there is up-to-date description of the most recent studies, including feeding ecology, foraging behaviour, relationships with prey species, and factors that limit populations, as well as social and breeding behaviour, molecular genetics, energetics, the problems of exposure to cold water, mortality, effects of pollution, and the serious, recent conservation problems. There are enchanting direct observations of the animals, as well as guidance about how and where to watch and study them, and what are the most serious questions facing researchers. From otters in the British and American lakes and rivers, to sea otters in the Pacific ocean, giant otters in the Amazon and other species in Africa and Asia, this book provides an enthusiastic, critical, and thorough approach to their fascinating existence, the science needed to understand it, and the threats t…
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River otters primarily hunt fish and crustaceans, but their dietary composition generally tracks the abundance of available prey, and they have been observed to take large amounts of amphibians, mammals, and birds in specific circumstances.
“River otters primarily hunt fish and crustaceans, but their dietary composition generally tracks the abundance of available prey, and they have been observed to take large amounts of amphibians, mammals, and birds in specific circumstances (Kruuk 2006).”
From River Otter Predation of Nesting Seabirds Along the Coasts of North America (2025) · cites this paper as Kruuk 2006
River otters must achieve a very high prey capture rate in cold marine conditions for energetic gains to offset the cost of thermoregulation.
“Thus, river otters must achieve a very high prey capture rate in cold marine conditions for energetic gains to offset the cost of thermoregulation (Kruuk 2006).”
From River Otter Predation of Nesting Seabirds Along the Coasts of North America (2025) · cites this paper as Kruuk 2006
River otters have been shown to use more terrestrial food sources during the winter to avoid the cost of cold-water thermoregulation.
“River otters have been shown to use more terrestrial food sources during the winter to avoid the cost of cold‐water thermoregulation (Kruuk 2006), but the nesting season for seabirds in North America generally spans from March to August, when freshwater foraging should be relatively efficient.”
From River Otter Predation of Nesting Seabirds Along the Coasts of North America (2025) · cites this paper as Kruuk 2006
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Groenendijk, J., Hajek, F., Johnson, P. J., Macdonald, D. W., Calvimontes, J., Staib, E., & Schenck, C. (2014) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0106202 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Evaluating river otter demography using noninvasive genetic methods
Brzeski, K. E., Gunther, M. S., & Black, J. M. (2013) · The Journal of Wildlife Management · doi:10.1002/jwmg.610 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
River Otter Predation of Nesting Seabirds Along the Coasts of North America
Stuntz, L., & Orben, R. A. (2025) · Ecology and Evolution · doi:10.1002/ece3.72118
- Authors
- Kruuk, H.
- Corresponding author
- Kruuk, Hans
- Venue
- Oxford University Press eBooks
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Published
- 2006-08-17
- OpenAlex
- W4240592237
- Cited by
- 304
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 28 · 2025: 25 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 27 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 28 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 17 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 15 · 2014: 14 · 2013: 15 · 2012: 12
- FWCI
- 5.60
- Type
- book
- Language
- it
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Oxford University Press eBooks (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Marine animal studies overview
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Ecology and biodiversity studies
- Keywords
- otter, otter ecology, feeding ecology, foraging behavior, predator-prey interactions, social behavior, reproductive behavior, molecular genetics, energetics, cold water exposure, mortality, pollution effects, otter conservation, sea otter, giant otter, Lutra lutra
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