Territory and reproduction

Home range

Every otter has a home range along the shores of lakes and rivers or of the sea and its archipelagos. It marks the boundaries very carefully on stones, tufts of grass and stumps with droppings and with scent from musk glands near the anus. Its slides along the shoreline also serve to mark out its territory.

Living apart

Dominant males lay claim to the best fishing waters. These areas are their territories, i.e. they are defended against intruders of the same species. A female's home range is smaller.