In this month’s Gosforth Nature Reserve Journal, NHSN naturalist, Christopher Wren, shares his latest footage of the otters, including this years newest cubs!
New otter cub triplets
At first it might seem odd that new cubs would appear at this time of year but otters have dense warm waterproof coats and a year-round food supply so they are mostly impervious to cold weather. It also takes a long time for the cubs to grow and mature to be independent so rather than waiting another year it makes sense for the female to breed again as soon as possible. These cubs were born in July and will stay with their mother until late spring or early summer next year.
The cubs first appeared on the cameras earlier this month at about sixteen weeks of age. This is only the second time in the last seven years that we have seen triplets in the reserve. (The previous time, in late 2022, one cub was swept away in a flood when they were very small and only two survived.) Heavy rain this month also led to some flooding and the cameras caught the family splashing through the water in daylight.
At this young age the cubs usually stick very close to their mother but it is easy for one to get distracted and left behind. This video shows one of the cubs separated from the family and whistling for its mother. Happily by the next day the cameras showed them all together again.
Otters have a reputation for having fun and enjoying themselves and this family certainly lives up to that. This is what they get up to when they think no-one is watching.
The dog otter is still around but he takes no part in the cubs’ upbringing. Here he is on patrol in the recent snow.
And here he is about an hour later. Fish doesn’t come much fresher than this.