Preliminary Studies on the Feeding Ecology of the Otter Lutra lutra at Pitchavaram, East Coast of India

Observations were made on the distribution, food and feeding ecology of common otter, Lutra lutra in Uppanar and Coleroon rivers at Pitchavaram in the east coast of India. In freshwater, fish were the dominant prey item, whereas in estuarine habitat, crabs formed half the prey. By direct observation, the otters spent 40% of the day swimming/hunting, and 70% of feeding dives were successful.