Editing Otter (section)

== Description ==
Otters have long, slim bodies and relatively short limbs. Their most striking anatomical features are the powerful [[webbed foot|webbed feet]] used to swim, and their seal-like abilities for holding breath underwater. Most have sharp claws on their feet and all except the sea otter have long, muscular tails. The 13 species range in adult size from {{convert|0.6|to|1.8|m|ft|abbr=on}} in length and {{convert|1|to|45|kg|lb|abbr=on}} in weight. The [[Asian small-clawed otter]] is the smallest otter species and the [[giant otter]] and [[sea otter]] are the largest. They have very soft, insulated underfur, which is protected by an outer layer of long [[guard hairs]]. This traps a layer of air which keeps them dry, warm, and somewhat [[buoyant]] under water.

Several otter species live in cold waters and have high [[metabolic rate]]s to help keep them warm. [[Eurasian otter]]s must eat 15% of their body weight each day, and [[sea otter]]s 20 to 25%, depending on the temperature. In water as warm as {{convert|10|°C|°F|abbr=on}}, an otter needs to catch {{convert|100|g|oz|abbr=on}} of fish per hour to survive. Most [[species]] hunt for three to five hours each day and [[nursing]] mothers up to eight hours each day.