Spraint Surveys And Sparsely Populated Otter Populations

Otters deposit spraint anointed with anal sac secretions in prominent sites in their territory. Otters have been shown to be able to distinguish individuals from their spraint, including distinguishing their own spraint from that of others. They may use these to signal resource use to other otters. Because they plainly have significance to the animals, when attempting to encourage otters back into an area, spraints should not be wholly removed for analysis as they may be of critical importance in encouraging an otter to stay.