The diet of Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) around the coastal fringe of Cornwall.

Abstract

Historically otters were regarded as a coastal species in Cornwall. After many years of absence they are increasingly recorded around the coasts and estuaries. These animals may be using the coast to move between river catchments or taking advantage of marine resources. The Cornwall Mammal Group organised a citizen science project to collect and analyse otter spraints from around the coastal fringe. Marine prey was shown to constitute a large part of the diet of animals close to the coast but coastal spraints also included remains of freshwater prey. Otters were feeding on a broad range of prey including many smaller items. Demonstrating the dependence of otters on coastal resources will be important in informing conservation of the coastal fringe of Cornwall.