Otter
(Lutra lutra) The otter has declined catastrophically in our country since the 1950s, when it was common throughout the land. Today, the otter is still commonly found in northern Sweden, as well as in small scattered groups in southern Sweden. In late winter, the male and female may be together; otherwise, they live alone. The cubs are usually born in May in our country. They weigh about 130 g at birth and are blind for the first 2 weeks. There are usually 2 of them and they nurse for 2 months, but stay with their mother for a full year.
Belongs to
Order Carnivora
Family
Mustelids (Mustelidae)
Weight
8 – 12 kg (male) 6 – 8 kg (female)
Lifespan
18 – 20 years
Mating season
Probably two mating seasons – March-April and likely also during the summer.
Gestation period
60 – 63 days. Possibly also delayed implantation.
Young
Usually 2, can vary between 1 – 5; they reach sexual maturity at 2 – 3 years of age.
