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Terra Natura Murcia is giving visitors the chance to get better acquainted with one of its most intriguing animals, the otter. Agile, playful and perfectly adapted to life in water, it is a species that draws attention for all the right reasons, and one that fits beautifully into the park’s focus on wildlife and conservation.

 

Found in the park’s Iberian Peninsula habitat, the otter is a fine example of how animals adapt to their surroundings. With a long, flexible body, short legs and a strong tail, it moves through water with ease. Its dense brown fur is waterproof and helps keep its body warm, even in cold conditions. Medium-sized and full of energy, it is built for a life in rivers and wetlands.

 

The otter’s diet is varied too. Fish make up most of what it eats, but it also feeds on crustaceans, molluscs, amphibians and sometimes small birds or mammals. That flexibility helps it survive in different aquatic environments and makes it a very effective hunter. It is this ability to adapt that makes the otter such a fascinating species to watch.

 

Otters are usually found in rivers, lakes, marshes and coastal areas with plenty of vegetation and food. Their presence is often seen as a sign of good water quality, which makes them important not only as animals in their own right, but also as indicators of a healthy ecosystem.

 

At Terra Natura Murcia, the otter helps visitors understand the balance of aquatic life in a simple and engaging way. Seeing it in the Iberian Peninsula habitat gives people the chance to observe how it moves, feeds and lives, while also learning why its natural environment matters so much.

 

Young otters stay close to their mother for the first few months of life. During that time, they learn how to swim, hunt and move through the water, skills that are essential for survival. It is a reminder that even a seemingly effortless swimmer has to learn every step of the way.

 

For families, animal lovers and anyone curious about wildlife, the otter is one of those animals that is easy to admire and easy to remember. At Terra Natura Murcia, it adds a lively touch to the park and a valuable lesson about the world’s waterways at the same time.

 

 

Image: Terra Natura Murcia