Scottish animal life

My favourite examples of animal life in Scotland

Otter

The otter, able to grow to a length of 90 cm excluding the tail which can reach a length of 45 cm they weigh 10 kg and have an average lifespan of up to 10 years, larger than minks with a more powerful body and paler grey-brown fur with a broader snout, a pale chest and throat they are the top predators of Scotland feeding mainly on fish, water birds, frogs and crustaceans such as crabs. They have their cubs in barrows called “holts” they are fully able to swim independently after 10 weeks, they are great swimmers due to the thick fur, webbed feet and the ability to close their ears and nose off completely from the water. They are rare yet widespread and are classed as near threatened on the IUCN red list, listed under the CITES Appendix 1, protected in the UK under the wildlife and countryside act 1981 and also classified as a priority in the UK under the Biodiversity Action Plan.

Mountain hare

Growing to a length of up to 60 cm, weighing 4 kg and having an average lifespan of 4 years the native mountain hare is a well adapted herbivore to the highlands of Scotland. They sport a  seasonal camouflage in winter to adapt to the now white terrain with a white coat and a grey-brown colour with a hint of blue in the summer. Larger than rabbits yet smaller than brown hares with smaller ears. They mainly graze on grass and nibble on the bark of young trees and shrubs and are very capable of running away when it is needed running in a “zig-zag” pattern and at a high speed. The mountain hare is considered a priority species in the UK biodiversity action plan but considered of least concern by the IUCN red list.