Nothing else quite like it. Although taken elsewhere, we now have some small populations in Sussex West Sussex County Council have even (as of August 2024) installed a special "shelf" under the A272 to help stop them crossing the road as road casualties are thought to be one of the main reasons stopping their return. So it's all quite exciting for Sussex to be getting Otters back in our waterways.

Otter (Lutra lutra) - Mustelidae (29/09/2008) Nothing else quite like it. Although taken elsewhere, we now have some small populations in Sussex West Sussex County Council have even (as of August 2024) installed a special "shelf" under the A272 to help stop them crossing the road as road casualties are thought to be one of the main reasons stopping their return. So it's all quite exciting for Sussex to be getting Otters back in our waterways.

They can hold their breath underwater for around 8 minutes and their nostrils can close underwater. Otters are the largest member of Mustelidae.

Otter (Lutra lutra) - Mustelidae (29/09/2008) They can hold their breath underwater for around 8 minutes and their nostrils can close underwater. Otters are the largest member of Mustelidae.

Otter (Lutra lutra) - Mustelidae (29/09/2008) Doing what Otters do best!

Otter (Lutra lutra) - Mustelidae (09/09/2006) A captive one put here for interest.

A captive one put here for interest. They are very shy animals so would be tricky to get this close if this were a truly wild one.

Otter (Lutra lutra) - Mustelidae (09/09/2006) A captive one put here for interest. They are very shy animals so would be tricky to get this close if this were a truly wild one.

Otter (Lutra lutra) - Mustelidae (22/06/2008) Beautiful lighting conditions with this one.

British Wildlife Centre, Surrey. We do get them in Sussex, no photos yet, so included for interest. Lots of colour variations, but the main thing is the white around the muzzle and above the eyes (clearer in a later image) described as creating a dark mask across the face around the eyes.

European Polecat (Mustela putorius) - Mustelidae (29/09/2008) British Wildlife Centre, Surrey. We do get them in Sussex, no photos yet, so included for interest. Lots of colour variations, but the main thing is the white around the muzzle and above the eyes (clearer in a later image) described as creating a dark mask across the face around the eyes.

European Polecat (Mustela putorius) - Mustelidae (29/09/2008) British Wildlife Centre, Surrey.

British Wildlife Centre, Surrey. We do get them in Sussex, no photos yet, so included for interest. Weasels are smaller and also don't have a black tail tip. Male Stoats are much larger than females and often turn white in winter. I think this is probably a female.

Stoat (Mustela erminea) - Mustelidae (29/09/2008) British Wildlife Centre, Surrey. We do get them in Sussex, no photos yet, so included for interest. Weasels are smaller and also don't have a black tail tip. Male Stoats are much larger than females and often turn white in winter. I think this is probably a female.