Otter

Animal Series

by Daniel Allen

Although rarely seen in the wild, the otter is admired for its playful character and graceful aquatic agility, fixed in the popular imagination through books and films such as Tarka the Otter and Ring of Bright Water. This is just a small part of its story, however: throughout history, the otter has been hunted for its fur and to prevent it from killing fish. Featuring numerous images from nature and culture, as well as examples from folklore, sports, and literature, this wide-ranging book also explores the movement against otter hunting, and the ongoing efforts promoting otter conservation. A fittingly lively study of its subject, Otter offers a new way of thinking about this much-loved but endangered animal.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Natural History, Science, History, Politics, Biology

192 pages, Paperback

First published September 10, 2010

Reviews

[Wendelle]

This is a highly recommended book for people who love otters, as this amazing 150-page book compiles a lot of information on the natural history, cultural relevance, and historical treatment of otters. Otters are highly known for their cute presence on the screen. There's tons of popular photos of otters floating serenely on the water, lying belly up, hugging their juveniles, using their favored stone to batter a sea shell, periscoping their heads this way and that, tethering themselves to a sea kelp bed to sleep, grooming their fuzzy fur, and generally lazing around in rafts of otters that could be anywhere from 3 to 4 to hundreds at a time. All of these actions of theirs invoke positive delight.

Unfortunately, beneath this cuddly surface of otters lies a sad flipside history of persecution and near-extermination, for profit, blood-sport as leisure, and the whims of fashion. There's 13 species of otters and, as the author repeats several times, they're all listed in the IUCN list of threatened species, despite having a combined spread of habitats over every continent except Australia and Antarctica. Giant otters are nearly extinct because of the rapacious drive for the fur trade, making whole coats out of them and costing hundreds of thousands of otter lives. Otters were also historically persecuted in England especially, according to the author, from the reign of the Plantagenets onwards, for their reputation as fish-stealers of tended fish ponds. This led to centuries-long popularity of the cruel blood sport of otter hunting, wherein a harried otter is either ultimately mutilated by spear or mauled by otterhounds after a long and desperate hunt. This is a cruel death because the otter doesn't die immediately, instead it bleeds out in a protracted death spiral from the wounds. Thankfully, people who sympathized with the otter's fate protested for the abolition of this form of leisure.

Sadly, as the book points out, the different kinds of otters are still endangered or critically threatened of dying out, due to low numbers, continuing fur trades and meat trades, and the global loss of remaining habitat for wildlife. It will be tragic indeed to see otters gone. This book is a short but worthwhile read about an incredible form of life.

[Margaret · Rating 2 out of 5]

As natural history books go, it was okay. Lots of facts, but no enthusiasm or passion for the subject.

Not recommended.

[Lucy Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful introduction to the otter looking at their biology, their presence in folklore and fable,the cruel history of otter hunting and their cultural impact in both literature as well as on film and TV. It also looks ahead at ways to protect the species from a variety of environmental and societal threats. It is a wonderful celebration of the otter and it makes me very keen to go and see Sea Otters in the wild off the Californian coast at some point!

[Marcelo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had no idea otters were once considered such sinister and maligned animals! Great book. Learned much of otter biology, otters in myth, literature and film, and how this mammal was transformed over time from pest to adorable icon of nature.

Next up: Owls, by Desmond Morris!

[Bradley Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This entry from the animal series Reaktion Books provides a deep dive into the cultural and historical significance of one of nature’s most playful and curious creatures; the otter. Though the otter has become widely recognized through depictions in popular culture and global conservationist movements, the science community still does not know a lot about the life and habitats of otters. What is known is how much the otter has endured in order to survive and evade extinction including being hunted for its fur, flesh, and for sport. Allen explores the myriad of identities that has been associated with the otter over the years such as being derided for its fish mongering, revered in indigenous America folklore, and as a fashion accessory not just I the fur trade but also for those who dabble in the illegal trade of exotic pets. Allen’s book is a well-rounded overview of the otter, beginning with the classifications of the various otter species and into modern times highlighting how the otter has captured the hearts of many through conservationist measures. Still highly at risk, largely due to disease and displacement due to climate change and habitat destruction, the otter continues to find its place in the popular consciousness through film, books, and social media.

[Zachary Flessert · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book containing sections on the diversity and evolution of otter species, their place in folklore, the history of their hunting, their appearance in literature and film, and the arc of otter conservation.

I went in hoping for a book about the biology of the otter. This is not really what the book is.

Instead it is a glance at the otter thought the eyes of humans historically. Enjoyed learning about the history of otter hunting in the Pacific, how sentiments about otter hunting shifted culturally over time, differences between otter species, and the success of conservation in the UK in response to chemical pollution wiping out the population.

Recommended for: science teachers looking to bulk up their content knowledge about conservation and the dynamics of an interaction of humans with natural systems.

[dejah_thoris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book about a great animal. Too bad there had to be so much on otter hunting. UGH. It almost makes me glad that they're threatened/endangered so they'll get the protection they deserve. Screw the fish. Save the adorable otters!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Splendid book, filled with wonderful photographs and illustrations. Loved the folklore and cultural histories, as well as the commercial hunting and environmental sections. The chapter on sport hunting was overlong, though.

[Axe Mungersdorf · Rating 4 out of 5]

learnt a lot, very interesting and thorough information
(also heartbreaking)

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick, light read that highlights some of the cultural history around otters. The chapter on otter hunting in Europe was particularly interesting (and the idea that hunting an otter with a spear instead of with hounds was considered unsporting was so counterintuitive). The large number of typos and poorly edited writing were extremely distracting, and there were enough major mistakes that I would not take this as a reliable source without cross-referencing information elsewhere.

[Sesana · Rating 4 out of 5]

More Reaktion Animals. Interesting and with great illustrations, but a little too short.

[Shirleynature · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meet one of the most charismatic critters on land or water. This author provides cultural and historical background to enhance your appreciation of these charming mammals.