Odder

Did you know that the otter, despite its rather short legs, can run at a speed of 25-30 km/h.

An adult man runs an average of 13 km/h on a run. Usain Bolt's top speed in the 100-meter was 44 km/h. 

ODDEREN

Family: The raccoon family 

Weight: Males up to 12 kg, females up to 8 kg.

Lifestyle: Solitary. Males and females only seek each other out during mating.

Diet: Carnivorous, primarily fish 

 

In Denmark there are about 1000 otters living and the population is increasing. In the past, the otter was hunted both because of its beautiful fur and because humans considered it to be a pest. The otter lives primarily on fish and moved in the same areas where humans fished. 

 

A life below water

The otter is a mammal that is highly adapted to life in the water. It has webbed toes and the fur is both water-repellent and insulating - and the otter can close both nostrils and ears when it wants to dive! 

Although the otter lives a large part of its life in the water, there are situations where it prefers solid ground under its paws. The otter never swims under bridges or tunnels. Unfortunately, this has resulted in many otters being killed in traffic. 

 

Otter passages

As a solution for odde people's movements on viaducts and on roads, otter passages have been introduced in many places along streams that run under roads. Otter passages include:  stone settings, sandbanks or "sidewalks" made of wood. This gives the otters a safe passage where they are not at risk of being run over.

When the otter leaves the water, it becomes clear that it is in the marten family. Like other martens, it moves bouncing and playful - albeit a little more clumsily than other martens. The otter is a playful animal and especially in winter they make clear slides down the watercourse. Otters, like other martens, sometimes sit up on their hind legs to get a better overview.