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Non-human Story

Updated: Oct 4, 2020

River Otters: Trials and Tribulations

In the woods of chilly Kentucky, Otter #1 is preparing for a hunt. The last several days, he’s been eating a variety of fish, such as catfish and bass – but today is different. Today, Otter #2 won’t be stealing his food. Both Otters having reached adulthood, the competition is heating up. Today, Otter #1 needs a full stomach. Breeding season has approached, and he needs all his strength in order to achieve a successful outcome. You see, last year his breeding experience was…unproductive to say the least. So this year, he must be vigorous.

In the woods, there. A footfall. A small footfall. Of course, Otter #1 knows what this footfall is, as all otters do: a rabbit. Rabbit meat being rare for otters, his anticipation is building at the possibility of tasting its meat. But first he has to catch it. Where is it? Ah yes, behind a tree.

Winding around the rabbit’s tree, he hides behind an adjacent one. Otter #1 waits until the rabbit turns his back, and then sprints straight at his prey. The rabbit has little time to escape, and only manages to run for a foot before he is caught by Otter #1. #1 emits a vicious growl and tears the rabbit’s neck with his sharp teeth. The job is finished. He gets to work. The rabbit is still warm; the meat tender. The stomach meat is the best tasting – the rump good as well. Otter #1 gets to work straight away. No time to waste – a common theme in an animal’s life.



Having stolen a majority of Otter #1’s food, Otter #2 is content with his stomach. He has other pressing needs. His breeding last year was successful, and this year the same. This year, he has completed the mating process. However, there have been setbacks. Important setbacks. His food sources have been scarce, and a family group may be more in line with his needs. His pups should be born soon. He bred early in the season.

Having done so, he needs to return. The pups will be born, and the family group will provide more socialization and potential prey. The food at Otter #2’s previous location is extremely scarce, and the river small. Female Otter’s group is more secluded, with more opportunity for food and mating. The river is larger; the territory bigger. These are necessary for an otter’s survival in winter and for lifelong survival.

Some time has passed on his journey to the family group, and when he arrives Female Otter has given birth. Two pups. A male and female. This year is successful for him.

The family group Otter #2 has joined consists of Female Otter’s previous litter and lone female otters. It also consists of several bachelors, which may allow Otter #2 more opportunities, as future bachelor groups may be formed.

Otter #2 is a voracious eater. It has been two hours since he has arrived at his new location, and he is hungry again. He dives into the water. It’s freezing, but this does not affect Otter #2; his fur protects him well. Further down the river, a duck floating on the water – perfect prey for a hungry predator. He dives under the surface of the water. Sneak attacks are an otter’s specialty. Slowly, he swims behind the duck. #2 is aware that this takes patience, as he learned when he was a pup. Almost there. Mere inches away.

Water splashes. A duck emits a load quack, and a vicious growl follows. The duck is no more. Blood clouds the river. The murky waters are a sign of Otter #2’s success.



Female Otter has had a difficult day. This is only her second time giving birth, and this time with more pups to be taken care of. The family group helps her, but hers is no simple task. Pups are helpless for several months, and she is their main source of food and comfort. For a year, raising her offspring will be her main and most important task.

There are dangers to her task, and she is highly aware of this fact. Her animal senses alert her to several predators nearby, such as bobcats and coyotes. The upcoming months will be trying.

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Female Otter’s days are rigorous. Her schedule is as follows:

· Sleep most of the day.

· Once night, hunt for herself.

· After, hunt for food for her pups.

· Stay alert for predators.

· Daily rigorous cleaning of her pups, which she must do herself.

· Monitor play activities of her pups.

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One chilly night into the pup’s lives, a bobcat sneaks into Female Otter’s den. The male pup is taken. Female otter mourns the loss for a week period. Time continues.

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It’s a warm night in Kentucky. The seasons have changed. Female Otter has mourned her loss. Pup #1 is emerging onto the river otter scene.

Two months have passed since Female Otter gave birth, and Pup #1 is ready to emerge from the den. The young female is a scraggily little thing. Its fur is sticking up in all directions, and it is comically clumsy. Learning to swim could be challenging for the youngling.


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The temperature is warm, and the sounds outside of Pup #1’s den are overwhelming. She is curious about everything. Exploring is exciting. Exploration of water is all-encompassing.

Her first dive into the water is exhilarating. The touch of it caresses her thick fur, her body automatically adjusting to the temperature. Her small webbed feet and narrow body glide through the water. Evolution has allowed her to be an expert swimmer.

She emerges from the water, her small head popping out first. She looks for her mother and sees her further downstream. She heads for land. Her first introduction to the otter world is a success.

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Since last we saw Otter #1, he has seen unfortunate circumstances. He has been forced to migrate from his habitat, as humans have begun to fish and are interfering with a large portion of his diet. Because of this, he moves south.

Several months later, he befalls a cruel, but common fate. Whilst hunting, he encounters a coyote. A vicious and unforgiving fight ensues, as begets nature, and Otter #1 becomes prey. Life moves on in the otter world.






References

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