Spraint Explained

Spraint is the dung of the otter.Spraints are typically identified by smell and are known for their distinct odors, the smell of which has been described as ranging from freshly mown hay to putrefied fish.^[1] The Eurasian otter's spraints are black and slimy, NaNcm (-2,147,483,648inches) long and deposited in groups of up to four in prominent locations near water. They contain scales, shells and bones of water creatures.^[2] Because of the decline of otters in Britain, several surveys have been made to record the distribution of the animal, usually by recording the presence of spraint.^[3]

References

1. Web site: Spraint Analysis. OTTERSITE. https://archive.today/20120908081151/http://www.ottersite.btinternet.co.uk/spraints.htm. 8 September 2012.
2. Book: Brown, RW, Lawrence, MJ, Pope, J. Animals. Tracks & Signs. 1984. Hamlyn. 0-600-57444-X. 225.
3. Web site: The Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) . http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20090214170740/http://www.english-nature.org.uk/lifeinukrivers/species/otter.html . dead . 14 February 2009 . Conserving Natura 2000 Rivers. English Nature. 27 July 2010.

Further reading

• Book: Otters: ecology, behaviour, and conservation. Oxford biology. Hans Kruuk. Oxford University Press. 2006. 9780198565871. 79 - 82.
• Book: Otters: Ecology and Conservation. C. F. Mason . S. M. Macdonald . amp . Cambridge University Press. 2009. 9780521101349. 31 - 35.