The otter..
Originates in all of Europe
(with the exception of Iceland and the islands in the Mediterranean),
the largest part of Asia and in North-West Africa.
In the Netherlands the animal was extinct in the 1980s, and in other countries the otter has decreased in number. Since 2002, the Netherlands has begun reintroduction. The otter is currently present in Northwest Overijssel, Friesland, Gelderland and along the Overijsselse Vecht.
The otter lives in shore zones with sufficient coverage and rest of all kinds of flowing waters, such as lakes, peaks, rivers, canals, streams, and marshes. But also in coastal zones, rocky shores and estuaries. In Tibet, the otter is even in the mountains.
They live in clean and fresh water, where there is plenty of food, coverage and rest. In brackish and salty waters (in Europe) they only occur if there is fresh water in the area, as they need it for cleaning their fur and drinking water.
