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Otter Catching Fish
when among the woods where the snow is with clubs kill great numbers of them. light and deep, they immediately dive, These creatures are sometimes frolicand make considerable way under it; but some and playful; and one of their favorite pastimes is, to get on a high ridge of snow, bend their forefeet backward, and slide down the side of it, sometimes to the distance of twenty yards or upwards.
How Otters are Taught to Fish.
In their general habits of life, these animals are harmless and inoffensive; and, toward their offspring they exhibit a degree of attachment which is extremely interesting. They will never desert them; Otters, though naturally of a ferocious they will even starve themselves to death disposition, may, if taken young and on being robbed of them, and strive to properly educated, be completely tamed. breathe their last on the spot where their The training of them, however, requires young ones have been destroyed. The both assiduity and perseverance; but Sea Otters live in pairs, and are very contheir activity and use, when taught, suffi- stant to each other. They often carry ciently repay this trouble; and few ani- their young ones between their teeth, and mals are more beneficial to their masters. fondle them, frequently flinging them up The usual method is first to teach them and catching them again in their paws. to fetch, in the same way as dogs are Before these can swim, the parents will taught; but, as they are not so docile as take them in their forefeet, and swim the dog, it requires more art and expe- about with them upon their backs. Singular Traits.
Sea Otters swim sometimes on their rience to instruct them. They are first taught to take in their mouths a truss made of leather, and stuffed with wool, of sides; and at other times on their backs, the shape of a fish; to drop it at a word of or in an upright position. They are very command; to run after it when thrown sportive, embrace each other, and seem to forward, and to bring it to their master. kiss. When attacked, they make no Real fish are next employed, which are resistance, but endeavor to save themthrown dead into the water, and which selves by flight; if, however, they be they are taught to fetch. From dead fish closely pursued, and can see no means of they are led to living ones, till at last they escape, they scold and grin like an angry are perfectly instructed in the whole art cat. On receiving a blow they lie on of fishing. An Otter thus educated is a their side, draw up their hind legs to. very valuable animal; he will catch fish gether, cover their eyes with their foreenough to sustain not only himself but a paws, and thus seem to prepare themwhole family. "I have seen (says Dr. selves for death. But if they are fortunate Goldsmith) an Otter go to a gentleman's enough to escape their pursuer, and reach pond at the word of command, drive the the sea, they deride him with various fish into a corner, and, seizing upon the diverting tricks; at one time swimming largest of the whole, bring it off, and give it to his master." upright in the water, and jumping over the waves, holding their forepaws over their eyes, as if to shade them from the sun while looking out for their enemy; then lying flat on their backs; and afterwards throwing their young ones down The whole length of the Sea Otter is generally about four feet, of which the tail occupies thirteen inches. The fur is soft, and of a deep glossy black color.
The ears are small and erect, and the into the water and fetching them up whiskers long and white. The legs are short and thick, the hinder ones somewhat resembling those of a seal. again.
The Otter, as you see, is a playful creature and furnishes a great deal of sport for those who watch its curious antics. his dinner, it is very convenient to have And it is also useful, for when one has an Otter which can do the fishing and failed to catch fish with a hook, and wants furnish the needed supplies.