Otter, the Common, or Mus-tela lntra, L. an amphibious animal that inhabits Europe, North America, and Asia; it is, in general, about the size of the badger (which sec), but has shorter legs ; and it; five claws are connected with a web-like membrane.

Otters display great sagacity in forming their habitations; they burrow under ground in the banks of rivers or lakes, making the entrance of their hole beneath the surface of the water ; they also construct several other apartments, to which they retreat in case of high floods. These quadrupeds prey on fish, frogs, aquatic rats, lobsters, and other insects living in fresh waters; but they are exceedingly destructive in fish-ponds.—Their rutting season is in February, and the female produces three or four young ones in the month of May.

The skins of otters afford a very fine fur, of a deep brown colour, which, in winter, acquires a darker shade, and sells at an advanced price.- Dogs spontaneously chace these animals, and easily apprehend them, when at a distance from water, or their subterraneous dwellings; this pursuit, however, is attended with great danger to the former; as the otter, when seized, defends himself with such force as to break their leg-bones, and never quits his hold but with the loss of life.

Less valuable than the skin, is the flesh of otters ; though we learn from Bechstein, that it is occasionally eaten in monasteries and cloisters, during Lent: from its strong fishy nature, such food is almost indigestible.