I watch a lot of otter videos and most times I can understand the behaviour but this episode has me puzzled. The cub is obviously in mother's bad books, perhaps because of something it said or did, and it seems to be being disciplined in some way. Perhaps the mother didn't want to be followed but, if so, she gave in in the end. I don't think I have heard this chittering sound from a cub before, only from an adult female when courting.
The dog otter has been carrying an injury for the last few weeks. I first noticed it seven weeks ago, having not seen him on camera for a couple of weeks before that. He was unable to put his left hind foot to the ground and was hobbling about on three legs. There were no signs of wounds apart from a new scratch on his nose - so a fight injury is a possibility but this would be an odd one. It is intriguing that there were what looked like wounds on a dog otter in early December.
From the look of it I first wondered if his leg was broken or dislocated but when he rolled around he didn't seem to be in any discomfort, although his leg was flopping in a very unnatural position. Over the weeks it has gradually improved as you'll see from the video but he is still limping. I guess we'll never know the cause and I can't even be sure it is the same dog otter as before. There may have been a coup.
I only just missed a very close encounter last week. Only three minutes after I left this character turned up to sniff the cameras, perhaps to check it had been me. Maybe next time I'll wait a few minutes in case it happens again.
I only just missed a very close encounter last week. Only three minutes after I left this character turned up to sniff the cameras, perhaps to check it had been me. Maybe next time I'll wait a few minutes in case it happens again.





As fascinating as ever Chris. Thx
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