Xistopedia

Otter

Otter
environment and biodiversity
Very common in the watercourses of the Aldeias do Xisto, the Otter (Lutra lutra) attests to the quality of the water in rivers and streams.

 

It is difficult to catch a glimpse, but with patience and silence, we may be able to watch its wanderings on a quiet stretch of water in the early morning or late afternoon.

It is a medium-sized carnivorous mammal, with mainly nocturnal habits and perfectly adapted to the aquatic environment.  It can reach a total length of 1.20 m, with a dense coat (regularly lubricated and waterproofed with a fat that it secretes from glands) and a long, muscular tail. It has short legs with skin between the toes, which allows it to swim quickly and efficiently. Its long whiskers enable it to locate its prey with precision, which it then catches underwater.  The ears and nostrils have an ingenious system that automatically closes them each time it dives. It can stay underwater for up to eight minutes.

Alt feeds mainly on fish. But in watercourses where the Red Crayfish is present, it certainly prefers this freshwater invader. Its diet also includes amphibiansand some waterfowl.

It is an endangered species at the European level, mainly due to pollution and loss of aquatic habitats.

 

explore

restaurants
Varanda do Casal
Varanda do Casal
Casal de São Simão
restaurants
Casa da Ti Augusta
Casa da Ti Augusta
Figueira
restaurants
Bem-Me-Quer
Bem-Me-Quer
Martim Branco
restaurants
Fugas Restaurant
Fugas Restaurant
restaurants
Fiado
Fiado
Janeiro de Cima
restaurants
Callum
Callum
Oleiros
restaurants
Museu da Chanfana
Museu da Chanfana
Miranda do Corvo
restaurants
As Beiras
As Beiras
Pampilhosa da Serra
restaurants
Sabores da Aldeia Restaurant
Sabores da Aldeia Restaurant
lodging
Aldeia Oliveiras
Aldeia Oliveiras
Proença-a-Nova
lodging
Casa Cova do Barro
Casa Cova do Barro
Janeiro de Cima
lodging
Casa do Caminheiro Hostel
Casa do Caminheiro Hostel
Talasnal
lodging
Casa Lausus
Casa Lausus
Talasnal
lodging
Casas de Água Formosa
Casas de Água Formosa
Vila de Rei
lodging
Aqua Village Health Resort & SPA
Aqua Village Health Resort & SPA
Caldas de São Paulo
lodging
Casa do Talasnal
Casa do Talasnal
Talasnal
lodging
Mountain Whisper
Mountain Whisper
Gondramaz
lodging
Casas da Serra do Açor
Casas da Serra do Açor
Casal Novo, Arganil
heritage
Alvoco das Várzeas Medieval Bridge
Alvoco das Várzeas Medieval Bridge
tour
Panoramic Road: Pena - Fajão
Panoramic Road: Pena - Fajão
offer
Night Canoeing on the Santa Luzia Dam
Night Canoeing on the Santa Luzia Dam
offer
Geological Walk in Sobral Fernando
Geological Walk in Sobral Fernando
tour
Schist Walking Trail of Aldeia das Dez 3 – The Footprint of the Ermit
Schist Walking Trail of Aldeia das Dez 3 – The Footprint of the Ermit
Hotel Rural Quinta da Geia
offer
Passeio Geológico de Foz do Cobrão e Sobral Fernando
Passeio Geológico de Foz do Cobrão e Sobral Fernando
heritage
Roman Villa of Rabaçal
Roman Villa of Rabaçal
village
Sobral de São Miguel
Sobral de São Miguel
village
Figueira
Figueira
heritage
Church of São Bartolomeu
Church of São Bartolomeu
village
Ferraria de São João
Ferraria de São João
tour
Panoramic Road:   Aldeia das Dez - Sobral de São Miguel
Panoramic Road: Aldeia das Dez - Sobral de São Miguel

next events

event
Figueiró na senda das tradições
Figueiró na senda das tradições
15 oct 2024 - 30 nov 2024, 10:00
Figueiró dos Vinhos
event
Árvore de Natal Comunitária
Árvore de Natal Comunitária
30 oct 2024 - 21 nov 2024, 10:00
event
Exposição As Cores do Xisto
Exposição As Cores do Xisto
09 nov 2024 - 30 nov 2024, 10:00
Talasnal
event
Doze Meses, Doze Caminhadas: Olhar a Brama
Doze Meses, Doze Caminhadas: Olhar a Brama
10 nov 2024 - 01 dec 2024, 09:00
event
Moonlight Talasnal
Moonlight Talasnal
15 nov 2024 - 13 dec 2024, 20:30
Talasnal
event
Feira do Mel e da Castanha
Feira do Mel e da Castanha
22 nov 2024 - 24 nov 2024, 18:00
Lousã
event
A VER Figueiró dos Vinhos: Tradições Populares, Costumes e Eventos Festivos
A VER Figueiró dos Vinhos: Tradições Populares, Costumes e Eventos Festivos
23 nov 2024 - 12 jan 2025, 11:00
Figueiró dos Vinhos
event
BioEconomia do Pinhal-Bravo
BioEconomia do Pinhal-Bravo
23 nov 2024, 14:30
Proença-a-Nova
event
Caminhada de São Martinho
Caminhada de São Martinho
24 nov 2024, 08:30
Lousã
event
À Descoberta dos Aromas e das Cores do Azeite
À Descoberta dos Aromas e das Cores do Azeite
26 nov 2024, 09:30
Proença-a-Nova
event
Santa Bebiana
Santa Bebiana
29 nov 2024 - 01 dec 2024
Paul
event
Colecionismo de Natal
Colecionismo de Natal
29 nov 2024 - 31 dec 2024, 10:00
Oleiros
event
Xisfungos
Xisfungos
30 nov 2024, 09:30
Sobral de São Miguel
event
Dia Mundial da Oliveira
Dia Mundial da Oliveira
30 nov 2024, 10:00
event
Retratos de Natal em Góis
Retratos de Natal em Góis
01 dec 2024 - 31 dec 2024, 00:00
Góis
event
Natal da Fantasia 2024
Natal da Fantasia 2024
01 dec 2024 - 31 dec 2024, 14:00
Figueiró dos Vinhos
event
Natal em Castelo Branco
Natal em Castelo Branco
06 dec 2024 - 31 dec 2024, 17:00
Castelo Branco
event
Na'tal Aldeia
Na'tal Aldeia
07 dec 2024 - 08 dec 2024, 16:00
Figueira
event
Penela Presépio 2024
Penela Presépio 2024
08 dec 2024 - 05 jan 2025, 10:00
Penela
event
Natal na Aldeia
Natal na Aldeia
08 dec 2024 - 12 dec 2024, 15:00
Castanheira de Pera
event
O Natal do Xisto
O Natal do Xisto
08 dec 2024 - 23 dec 2024, 18:00
Aigra Nova
event
Natal Serrano 2024
Natal Serrano 2024
11 dec 2024 - 22 dec 2024, 18:00
Pampilhosa da Serra