Body temperature and foraging behaviour of the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), in relation to water temperature
Abstract
The effects of water temperature (Tw) on core body temperature (Tb) and foraging behaviour were studied in four free‐ranging and one captive otter Lutra lutra in NE Scotland. The free‐ranging animals were observed in and around two freshwater lochs, and measurements were made of Tw (2–16°C), Tb at the beginning and end of swimming bouts, lengths of swimming bouts, and dive times and intervals. Tb ranged from 35.9 to 40.4°C (mean 38.1°C). At the beginning of a period of activity and of a swimming bout. Tb rose significantly; during swimming it fell at a rate of 2.3°C/h, independent of Tw. Dive intervals were longer in colder waters, but this was probably due to other, seasonal environmental changes (perhaps water level). Tw had no significant effect on length of swimming bouts or on Tb. Although otters entered water with increased Tb, they exited when Tb was not significantly different from the mean resting Tb. The data suggest that otters maintain Tb irrespective of Tw, by increasing it before entering water, then either exiting at a given Tb, or at an earlier time determined by other environmental conditions.
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Thermoregulation in water is the primary source of energy expenditure for river otters while foraging, rather than locomotion.
“thermo‐regulation in water is their primary source of energy expenditure while foraging (rather than locomotion) (Kruuk et al. 1997; Pfeiffer and Culik 1998).”
From River Otter Predation of Nesting Seabirds Along the Coasts of North America (2025) · cites this paper as Kruuk et al. 1997
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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
“River otters have a high basal metabolism relative to similarly sized mammals (Kruuk et al. 1994; Ben-David et al. 2000), and thermo-regulation in water is their primary source of energy expenditure while foraging (rather than locomotion) (Kruuk et al. 1997; Pfeiffer and Culik 1998).”
- Authors
- Kruuk, H., Taylor, P. T., & Mom, G. A. T.
- Venue
- Journal of Zoology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 1997-04
- Volume
- 241
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 689-697
- ISSN
- 0952-8369 (ISSN-L)
- 1469-7998
- OpenAlex
- W2070576527
- Cited by
- 15
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 2 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 2
- FWCI
- 1.89
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Zoology (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Physiological and biochemical adaptations
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Marine animal studies overview
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Keywords
- Lutra lutra, body temperature, water temperature, foraging behavior, thermoregulation, diving behavior, swimming, freshwater mammals
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