Otter

The otter is a cute little creature that is the provincial animal of Småland. It was endangered for a long time. In the 1800s and well into the 1900s, otters were hunted for their fur. Environmental toxins in the water in the 1960s and 1970s also caused the otter population to decline. It has been protected since 1968, which means that it cannot be hunted.

The otter is a skilled swimmer, largely thanks to its streamlined body that glides easily through the water. It has webbed feet that allow it to swim powerfully, and its coveted fur keeps it warm even in ice-cold water. The otter is a predator that mainly eats fish, but it also catches frogs, crayfish and sometimes birds. It usually hunts at night when it is quieter by the water. Through its hunting, it helps maintain the balance in nature. But it also has time to play and have fun. In winter, you can see otters sliding on the ice.