Otters are familiar animals in books, films and television programmes and are found almost everywhere in the world except the large oceanic islands of Madagascar and Australasia and the frozen ice caps. Otters belong to the group of animals known as the Mustelids. This group includes weasels, stoats, mink, skunks and badgers.
The Dartmoor Otter Sanctuary has been carefully designed to provide our resident otters with the best possible conditions within the confines of the enclosures and our visitors with excellent opportunities to see and enjoy them. We also have facilities for the treatment and convalescence of any sick or injured otters that may be brought to us. We have over the past 15 years treated a number of ailments, not only to otters but also to other animals and birds. It is hoped that having seen and enjoyed our resident otters, and been given an insight into their secret way of life, visitors will be more aware of the plight of otters world-wide, particularly of course our own native British Otter Lutra lutra.
GET TO KNOW OUR OTTERS
The British or European Otter
The British otter is also known as the European otter because of its vast geographical distribution.
The Asian Short Clawed Otter
This is the smallest of the nineteen species of otter and is found in many parts of Southern Asia and Indonesia.
The North American River Otter
The Canadian or North American river otter could be described as the North American counterpart of the European otter.
DID YOU KNOW?
In all there are 19 accepted species of otter ranging in size from the Asian Short Clawed Otter, Amblonyx cinerea which is about the size of a large domestic cat, to sea otters, river otters, and the giant Brazilian otter Pteronura brasiliensis which can grow to over 2.5m in length and weigh over 35kg. Some of the otters here may be rescued, some have been bred here, others are part of breeding exchanges and some are just very old, in need of extra care and are here for retirement! There are three species to be seen, our native British or European otter which can be shy and elusive in the wild, the playful little Asian otters which are a joy to watch and the large North American River Otters who are real show-offs.
The Otters Diet and Feeding
The staple diet of our native otter in the wild is fish (with eels being particularly favoured in the summer), frogs, small birds and eggs. Small mammals may also be eaten.
Conservation
WHAT CAN BE DONE TO HELP OTTERS ?
Wildlife Conservation of any species requires the following topics to be addressed: legislation, education, habitat improvement and re-introduction.
Veterinary Care
We share our knowledge and expertise and work with other agencies and organisations around the world and much of what has been learned with captive otters is now being applied to those living in the wild.
THE PERFECT WILDLIFE GIFT
ADOPT AN OTTER
Your support in this way helps us continue and extend our knowledge and expertise in the care of our otters and, by providing an enjoyable and thought-provoking visit, we will enhance peoples awareness and appreciation of one of our most shy and secretive but fascinating animals.
OTHER OTTERS OF THE WORLD
Sea Otter
The Sea otter (Enhydra lutris) is a large otter native to the North Pacific. With long, streamlined bodies, sea otters are built for life at sea.
Giant Otter
The Giant Otter is the longest of the world’s otters, as well as the largest. It is native to South America but is endangered and is also very rare in captivity.
Endangered Otter Species
Learn about the World's most threatened, vulnerable and endangered otter species.
BACK TO THE WILD
Rescue
We spend a lot of time and resources helping return orphaned otter cubs and sometimes injured adults back in to the wild.