Although conforming to the basic mustelid body shape of a long, slim body and a skull with powerful jaws, otters show numerous adaptations to aquatic life. These include webbed toes and a powerful rudder-like tail, used for propulsion under water.
Otters are capable of closing their ears and nostrils while underwater.
Their fur is chestnut brown and is slightly lighter on the belly. The Eurasian otter is the only otter native to Britain. They're also found throughout Europe, as far north as the Arctic Circle, across most of Asia and northern Africa. In the British Isles, otters are found in fresh and salt water, although coastal otters like those in Scotland and the Shetlands must have access to freshwater pools to clean their insulating fur. They can use their whiskers as sensing organs underwater, to monitor the movements of prey.