Publication Type: | Journal Article |
Year of Publication: | 1987 |
Authors: | Callejo, A, Delibes, M |
Journal: | Miscellania Zoologica |
Volume: | 11 |
Date Published: | 1987 |
Keywords: | Lutra lutra |
Abstract: | Fish and crustaceans represent 90% of total diet item occurrences. The most common species in faeces was crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes, followed by several fishes (Phoxinus phoxinus, Salmo trutta, Chondrostoma toxostoma, Barbus bocagei, etc). Pyrenean desman Galemys pyrenaicus remains were found in 1.4% of samples. Crayfish were most frequently eaten in summer (when they are most active) and fish in winter (when their swimming speed is lower). Trophic diversity was higher in summer. Prey weighing 15-35 g were consumed more often. Otters seem to be opportunistic hunters, vulnerability playing a more important role than abundance when deciding what to eat. |
Taxonomic name: