European Otters are small members of the weasel family that only grow to a length of up to three feet. They reach a height of only 12 inches and a weight that ranges from 12 to 33 pounds. The male European Otter tends to weigh more, so if you were looking for a smaller pet, the female would be your best choice. The European Otter is dark brown on his back, and has a lighter brown belly that contrasts nicely. They have a dual layered fur: guard hair is coarse and covered in an oil that repels water, and the under fur is softer and shorter, ensuring that their skin remains dry. Their bodies are sleek with a thick tail that comes to a point, perhaps for easier maneuvering in the water. Their eyes are located on top of their heads, and the European Otter has small ears and a distinct nose in the shape of a hexagon. They have flaps over their ears and nose that shut while the otter is swimming, but their eyes remain open for sight. They have short legs and claws with webbing between each toe. The European otter has long whiskers that are used to sense touch. They have a keen sense of sight, smell, and hearing to keep them out of harms way and to help them in their hunting endeavors. The European Otter is a powerful swimmer and can hold his breath for about 20 seconds, while traveling up to 1300ft. They have a system of communication all their own, comprised of whistles and growls; so they are not afraid to tell you if they are happy or angry. They tend to be loving creatures, but are also know to become extremely violent if cornered or threatened; so keeping them around small children might pose a problem. They are also extremely active creatures, and necessitate large open spaces to roam around; so keeping them indoors like a family dog would be very inappropriate.

The European Otter is also known as the British Otter. It is most commonly known as the former, due to its wide distribution across Europe and Asia. European otters have been noted throughout most of Europe, and are also located throughout most of Asia; but must not be confused with the Asian Otter. They are also found in the northern tip of Africa, but are completely absent from northern Russia, India, and Southern Asia. European Otters prefer to spend their time in fresh water and avoid human contact. They can be found in lakes, ponds, streams, and along some rocky coasts. The European Otter maintains territories of up to ten miles, depending on their food supply and cover that it desires. They live in dens within these territories called holts and may sleep above ground in quiet areas, upon "couches" comprised of reeds and grasses. The European Otter likes to eat fish, eels, insects, frogs, baby rabbits, birds, and, crustaceans. They corner their prey and then catch them in their mouths, then drag them to the shore and feed immediately.

The European Otter has no natural enemies aside from man. They were hunted for sport, for fur, and to protect salmon stocks. They were almost extinct throughout Europe, and they are illegal to hunt, because there are so few. Since conservation efforts, they have been slowly growing in number; however, it is extremely slow going, due to habitat loss.

Be sure you check local laws regarding the keeping of a European Otter as a pet.

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European Otters reach sexual maturity at 18 months for males and two years for females, but they can mate at any point during the year. Males mate with a variety of females, but he stays with each one in her den. Gestation period for European Otters is 61 to 74 days, with an average of two to three pups. They are born blind and hairless and are only four inches in length. European Otters are helpless for their first six weeks after birth, and are taken care of by the female. Otters are dependent upon their mother for their first year of life.