You otter not miss park cuties
If you like cute and furry, then you’ll love the Asian short-clawed otters at Blair Drummond Safari Park.
Two males, Harry and Koji, live in an enclosure located beside the penguins, and these lively animals can often be seen playing and foraging.
Head keeper Lisa Smith said:“The Asian short-clawed otter is the smallest of all the otter species and is native to South and Southeast Asia. This species is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Destruction of habitat and the illegal trade in their pelts continue to be major threats, even though it is a protected species in most of its range countries.
“This charismatic animal gets its name from their very short claws that do not extend beyond the fleshy pads of their paws. They rely on their sensitive and dexterous fingers to search through mud, water and under rocks to find their food, and so do not have the same long claws as most otters have.
“This is a semi-aquatic animal, which means that it is as at home on land as it is in the water. When in water the otters use their rear feet like little propellers and their tail as a rudder for steering. They have two layers of dense fur and a layer of body fat to keep them warm in the water.
“In the wild the Asian short-clawed otter hunts for crabs, molluscs and fish, as well as small mammals and insects their large back teeth make it easy for them to crush the shells of hard-cased foods such as mussels, shellfish and crabs.
“Our otters at the safari park live in an enclosure that is designed to replicate their natural habitat with water features, planting and places to hide and explore. Their diet is much the same as it would be in the wild, and their food is often hidden to encourage them forage.”
The Observer has teamed up with the safari park again to offer readers the chance to win a family pass each week.
This week’s question is: What are the names of the Asian short-clawed otters at Blair Drummond Safari Park?
Send your answer, along with your name, address and contact number to: Safari Park Competition, Stirling Observer, 34 Upper Craigs, Stirling, FK8 2DW. Usual Reach plc rules apply. The deadline is Monday, June 25, at 4pm.