News from OtterCam

A lot has been happening on OtterCam since I last posted an update in July.  Then the cameras had seen a cub on its own, although subsequently they did see mother again with two cubs.  Since then, however, there has been only one.  

There was a strange episode in mid August where an unaccompanied cub came through the culvert and returned a minute later, calling for its mother.  Twenty minutes later it (or another one) went through again in the same direction. No other otter was recorded on that night.  The mother and only one cub had been seen together on OtterCam the night before and one and two nights after this episode.  The cubs were then only about seven months old, so too small and too young to be independent - normally at this age they stick very close to their mother.  I presume one cub is dead but whether it got lost or was abandoned or got sick is not possible to say.

Shortly afterwards the otters were showing a problem with their fur.  It had a strange patchy distribution - affecting the body but not the head, limbs or tail - and didn't seem to affect the underlying tissues.  I was worried they might have some infection, dietary deficiency, poisoning or injury (which might have been involved in the disappearance of the other cub) but I don't think that was the case and the problem has subsequently resolved.  This is how the mother looked.

And the cub.

Here they are on video, from both cameras.

The solo otter, which I presume to be the dog, was also affected and on one occasion looked very weary or in pain - normally it runs through the culvert full of energy.  It has also subsequently recovered.  My best guess is that the otters had something on their fur, perhaps oil or something like that, which eventually wore off or was groomed off.

I wrote last time that I had seen the otter fishing in the culvert for the first time.  It has happened again although whatever this one is eating must be very small, not even a mouthful.

Normally the otters take no notice of the cameras which are present every time they go through the culvert.  A few nights ago an otter was coming through towards the first camera but reacted when the infrared lights of the second camera switched on.  It retreated, as if it hadn't seen them before.  Eight minutes later it plucked up the courage to run past.  Then early yesterday morning perhaps the same animal again reacted to the cameras while heading north.  This makes me wonder if this is a new otter which isn't familiar with the territory.

Finally, last week there were two lovely episodes with mother and cub which I hope you will enjoy.  Watch with the sound on.