NATURE’S GREATEST SUPERMUMS

We mark Mothering Sunday by celebrating animals that go above and beyond to nurture their young

The parent TEACHER

Beneath the roots of riverside trees, the elusive European otter (Lutra lutra) builds a burrow – or ‘holt’ – of moss and grass. Once her kits are born, she alone then accompanies them for over a year, teaching them to feed and fend for themselves. This includes coaxing (or sometimes shoving) them into the water when they start learning to swim at ten weeks old. It doesn’t take long for the kits to gain confidence, though – they are well known for frolicking with family and can even be seen sliding down muddy riverbanks on their fronts with their forepaws tucked in.