# There was an otter in my yard today!!! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 9, 2006, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-was-an-otter-in-my-yard-today/379657 "2006-11-09T03:24:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-was-an-otter-in-my-yard-today/379657/21 "2006-11-09T23:58:28Z")
[QUOTE=Gorsnak] Most likely a tern. Because one good tern deserves an otter. [/QUOTE] \ I saw one in some wetlands no further than a football field’s length from my home. We have a small colony. They seem to be making a comeback. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2006, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-was-an-otter-in-my-yard-today/379657/22 "2006-11-10T02:24:12Z")
Otters are megacute–I’ve spotted sea otters off the coast of Oregon on a few occasions, but I don’t think we have river otters here. I’ve seen quite a few beaver, the best spotting ever was the HUGE one that was crossing a street–in the crosswalk! 😃 We get raccoons and 'possums pretty regularly along with seemingly hundreds of bunnies, deer are pretty common along the greenbelts and wildlife parks, coyotes live in Gabriel Park (and we spotted one trotting into the brush south of The Dalles a few weeks ago) and the nutria are very common, to my dismay–they look like giant rats and give me the willies… We’ve had cougar and black bear spottings just a few miles from my house–I’d love to see either one. I get truly huge star nosed moles in my backyard, and they’re not cute at all! The itty bitty moles and shrews are cute, though, just not the big ones with the nasty fingery things on their faces, ghah! I’d love to raise an otter pup–I’m sure it’d be a huge pain in the ass, but the cute factor would make up for it… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2006, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-was-an-otter-in-my-yard-today/379657/23 "2006-11-10T02:33:08Z")
Good thing he wasn’t French. Then you’d have une otter problem… ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2006, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-was-an-otter-in-my-yard-today/379657/24 "2006-11-10T02:36:19Z")
[QUOTE=SmartAleq] off the coast of Oregon on a few occasions, ) [/QUOTE] And I bet you’ve never heard of [Darlingtonia californica,](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darlingtonia_(Sarraceniaceae)) you lucky so-in-so! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![hlanelee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3bc359/32.png) [@hlanelee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hlanelee)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2006, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-was-an-otter-in-my-yard-today/379657/25 "2006-11-10T03:47:58Z")
[QUOTE=SmartAleq] Otters are megacute–I’ve spotted sea otters off the coast of Oregon on a few occasions, but I don’t think we have river otters here. I’ve seen quite a few beaver, the best spotting ever was the HUGE one that was crossing a street–in the crosswalk! 😃 We get raccoons and 'possums pretty regularly along with seemingly hundreds of bunnies, deer are pretty common along the greenbelts and wildlife parks, coyotes live in Gabriel Park (and we spotted one trotting into the brush south of The Dalles a few weeks ago) and the nutria are very common, to my dismay–they look like giant rats and give me the willies… We’ve had cougar and black bear spottings just a few miles from my house–I’d love to see either one. I get truly huge star nosed moles in my backyard, and they’re not cute at all! The itty bitty moles and shrews are cute, though, just not the big ones with the nasty fingery things on their faces, ghah! I’d love to raise an otter pup–I’m sure it’d be a huge pain in the ass, but the cute factor would make up for it… 😉 [/QUOTE] I’ve noticed signs that there are beavers in the swamp in front of my house; downed trees, bark chewed off of trees, etc.) but I have not seen a beaver since I moved here 14 years ago. I’m looking. You wouldn’t want a pet otter, they are vicious and very temperamental. They bite and scratch…much worse than cats…they always draw blood. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2006, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-was-an-otter-in-my-yard-today/379657/26 "2006-11-10T04:03:01Z")
[QUOTE=Gorsnak] Most likely a tern. Because one good tern deserves an otter. [/QUOTE] Even more importantly for the OP: Do unto otters as you would have them do unto you. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2006, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-was-an-otter-in-my-yard-today/379657/27 "2006-11-10T04:35:11Z")
[QUOTE=Qadgop the Mercotan] Even more importantly for the OP: Do unto otters as you would have them do unto you. [/QUOTE] Otterwise known as the golden rule… ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2006, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-was-an-otter-in-my-yard-today/379657/28 "2006-11-10T12:32:41Z")
\You Ottter Be In Pictures! You Otter Be A Star!\ ---
**Author:** ![scareyfaerie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scareyfaerie/32/3135_2.png) [@scareyfaerie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scareyfaerie)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2006, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-was-an-otter-in-my-yard-today/379657/29 "2006-11-10T12:38:11Z")
The puns in here are dreadful. You lot otter be ashamed of yourselves… ---
**Author:** ![phall0106](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/phall0106/32/5934_2.png) [@phall0106](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phall0106)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2006, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-was-an-otter-in-my-yard-today/379657/30 "2006-11-10T13:50:37Z")
[QUOTE=Foldup Rabbit] Aww, the most I’ve seen is an overweight marmot perched outside the Pizza Hut. Although, not initially knowing what it was, I thought it was a gigantic gopher. [/QUOTE] I wonder if that was Pizza Hut’s new marketing campaign? Last week, I went to take out the trash and saw what I thought was a cat crawl under the corner of the fence in the back yard. It was only when it waddled across the yard, past me and scooted under the fence on the other side of the yard, did I realize it was a skunk. I froze, afraid to move and just watched it, then ran into the house to call Hallgirl1. (yes, I have no life, why do you ask?) Did I mention that I live in the city, just about a stones throw from downtown? ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2006, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-was-an-otter-in-my-yard-today/379657/31 "2006-11-10T17:01:06Z")
[Otter Chaos](http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=310128468072066622&q=otters&hl=en) ---
**Author:** ![Encinitas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@Encinitas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Encinitas)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2006, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-was-an-otter-in-my-yard-today/379657/32 "2006-11-10T20:47:35Z")
I have adored otters every since I read _Ring of Bright Water_ by Gavin Maxwell. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2006, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-was-an-otter-in-my-yard-today/379657/33 "2006-11-10T22:54:51Z")
So…Horschak was out on a hunting trip with Epstien in Istanbul, when they spotted movement in the bushes. Epstien fired, and something lithered away with a splash into the river. Horshak yelled, “Ooh, ooh, missed Turk otter, missed Turk otter!” (Was I reaching too hard for that one?) ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2006, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-was-an-otter-in-my-yard-today/379657/34 "2006-11-10T23:06:23Z")
[QUOTE=carnivorousplant] And I bet you’ve never heard of [Darlingtonia californica,](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darlingtonia_(Sarraceniaceae)) you lucky so-in-so! 🙂 [/QUOTE] I’ve never seen that particular species, but I’ve raised pitcher plants before along with sundews and flytraps–they’re very cool plants! ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2006, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-was-an-otter-in-my-yard-today/379657/35 "2006-11-11T00:08:09Z")
[QUOTE=SmartAleq] I’ve raised pitcher plants before along with sundews and flytraps [/QUOTE] Oh sure, I grow Sarracenia and Dionea outside, but D. californica dies here. I hate you! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2006, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-was-an-otter-in-my-yard-today/379657/36 "2006-11-11T00:46:20Z")
[QUOTE=carnivorousplant] Oh sure, I grow Sarracenia and Dionea outside, but D. californica dies here. I hate you! 🙂 [/QUOTE] Well, sundew what otters cannot!! 😛 (After noting **jayjay** ’s amorous otter exploit above, I wonder if it was caught by a supervenus flytrap. :D) ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2006, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-was-an-otter-in-my-yard-today/379657/37 "2006-11-11T01:07:43Z")
[QUOTE=Polycarp] Well, sundew what otters cannot!! 😛 (After noting **jayjay** ’s amorous otter exploit above, I wonder if it was caught by a supervenus flytrap. :D) [/QUOTE] That’s otterly ridiculous. ---
**Author:** ![SnakesCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@SnakesCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakesCatLady)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2006, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-was-an-otter-in-my-yard-today/379657/38 "2006-11-11T01:17:09Z")
Ya’ll really otter cut in out with the bad puns. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2006, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-was-an-otter-in-my-yard-today/379657/39 "2006-11-11T02:59:22Z")
[QUOTE=Polycarp] Well, sundew what otters cannot!! 😛 (After noting **jayjay** ’s amorous otter exploit above, I wonder if it was caught by a supervenus flytrap. :D) [/QUOTE] Eww…that pun minks… ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2006, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-was-an-otter-in-my-yard-today/379657/40 "2006-11-11T03:03:23Z")
Stop it! Stop it right now! The next one who makes a pun gets D-Hall tomorrow morning. I _mean_ it! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-was-an-otter-in-my-yard-today/379657.md?page=1)