Otters
The otter is one of Denmark’s biggest predatory mammals. The male can grow up to 130 cm long and weigh up to 13 kg – almost twice as much as a fox. The otter lives mostly on fish, amphibians, eggs, birds and insects, unlike the beaver, which also lives in water, but feeds exclusively on plants. The otter is definitely a nocturnal animal, so it is rarely seen.
In 1984, Denmark’s otter population was a mere 200 or so individuals – mostly in Northwest Jutland. Accidental catches in fish traps were blamed. The otters used to be able to gnaw their way out of cotton traps when they were caught, but the modern nylon traps were too strong. Many otters were also killed in traffic. An otter management plan turned the trend around, so there are now more than 1,000 otters in Jutland – a convincing nature management success. Fish traps must now be equipped with otter grates which prevent the entry of otters. Watercourses under roads have also been changed so that the otters do not go up over the roads where they can be run over.
There are also otters here in the big peaceful wet areas. Otters mark their territories with excrement. The smell indicates whether it is a male or a female and whether it is mating time.
Look at the upper edge of the pipes ducting the water in the channel under the road. There are clear markings with excrement on both sides. Smell them. They have an agreeable smell of fish, as noted in some descriptions.