Otter
- ISBN-10
- 1861898932
- ISBN-13
- 9781861898937
- Series
- Otter
- Category
- Nature
- Pages
- 183
- Language
- English
- Published
- 2020-05-11
- Publisher
- Reaktion Books
- Author
- Daniel Allen
Description
Although rarely seen in the wild, the otter is admired for its playful character and graceful aquatic agility, which were established in the popular imagination through books like Tarka the Otter and Ring of Bright Water. This, however, is just a very small part of their story—throughout history the otter has also been widely hunted for its fur and flesh. In Otter, human geographer Daniel Allen reveals how the animal’s identity has been shaped by this variety of human interactions. As Allen explains, otters, while feared by some communities, were hunted to near extinction by others—killed for their valuable pelts in the north Pacific and chased with hounds for sport in Britain. In contrast, Allen describes how Native Americans revered the otter and how indigenous fishermen in parts of Asia trained otters to assist them. Sadly, now all thirteen species of otter are considered threatened, and their survival is by no means certain. In this wide-ranging look at the otter, Allen incorporates anecdotes from folklore, sports, popular literature, media, and conservation studies in order to unravel this complicated cultural history. Otter isa lively book that offers a new way of thinking about this admired and endangered animal.
Get the book
Other editions
Similar books
-
Otter in Space
By Sam GartonOtter in Space is all about creativity, problem solving, and the power of imagination. Hi! I am Otter. This is a story of the time my best friend Teddy and I did something really incredible.
-
Otter Goes to School
By Sam GartonIn Otter Goes to School, Otter starts her own school for Teddy, Giraffe, and the rest of her friends. They have a great teacher and do lots of fun things together . . . until Teddy says he doesn’t like school anymore.
-
Return of the Sea Otter: The Story of the Animal That Evaded Extinction on the Pacific Coast
By Todd McLeishWhen the first whales came into view just off the town of Moss Landing, several dozen sea otters were resting and feeding there, too. They were perched at the edge of the nutrient-rich Monterey Canyon, an underwater canyon that extends ...
-
I Am Otter
By Sam GartonHi! I am Otter and this is a book about me and my best friends, Otter Keeper and Teddy.
-
The Otter
By James WilliamsAuthor James Williams, a life-long enthusiast of this fascinating, enigmatic creature, dispells some the mysteries in this beautifully-illustrated book: * Reasons for the near-disappearance of the otter in the 1980s and the reasons for its ...
-
Gross as a Snot Otter
By Jess KeatingBut there's more to these skin-crawling creatures than meets the eye, and as zoologist Jess Keating explains, sometimes it's the very things that make us gag that allow these animals to survive in the wild.
-
My Otter Half
By Michelle SchustermanHomeward Bound meets Finding Nemo in this heartfelt story about a brave sea otter and a rambunctious puppy who team up to find their way home.
-
Otter: Hello, Sea Friends!
By Sam GartonOtter: Hello, Sea Friends! is a My First I Can Read book, which means it’s perfect for shared reading with a child. Read about more of Otter’s adventures in I Am Otter, Otter in Space, Otter Loves Halloween!, Otter: Oh No, Bath Time!
-
Narwhal's Otter Friend
By Ben ClantonIn the first story, Otty the otter makes her debut splash; while Narwhal greets her with immediate enthusiasm, Jelly's not so sure about her...mostly because he worries she'll take his place as Narwhal's best friend.
-
Otter: The Best Job Ever!
By Sam GartonBut finding the right job is a lot harder than they thought! Otter: The Best Job Ever! is a My First I Can Read book, which means it’s perfect for shared reading with a child.