River Otter - Lutra Canadensis
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The River Otter, most people simply call this animal an otter, is a very
special and fascinating creature. The otter is well known as an animal that seems to make fun for itself. Those
of us lucky enough to have seen otters in the wild, or at zoos, may have seen them sliding down mud banks or snow
slopes. They are great swimmers and divers. They often catch fish to eat by chasing and catching them in the water.
Many Native American traditions give the otter a special place in their
stories. The Dakota people use the word ptan as the name for the otter. More interesting, however, is this
... in the sacred language (the language used by spiritual leaders), the otter is known as hepan, the same
word used to describe the second child, if male. In Tlingit tradition, otters represent those people who have lost
their lives at sea. |