The elusive otter is one of Britain’s top predators, feeding mainly on fish, waterbirds, amphibians and crustaceans.  They are excellent swimmers, perfectly adapted for a semi-aquatic life, with webbed feet and dense fur to keep them warm.  Otters can completely close their ears and nose when underwater,  but they still have great eyesight allowing them to catch fish easily. They have their cubs in underground burrows, known as 'holts', and the young take to the water after only ten weeks. To help find a mate and defend their territory otters leave droppings or 'spraints' in prominent places on riverbanks or near waterways. These 'scented messages' contain visible fish bones and have a distinctive pleasant smell reminiscent of jasmine tea! Otters are threatened by persecution from fishery owners and gamekeepers, injury or capture in fishing nets and loss of their natural habitats.