Charlie Hamilton James, a wildlife expert may have found proof that otters can smell underwater. Many scientists believe otters only use sight and touch to hunt. Now Hamilton James might be proving them wrong with his latest investigation to this theory.
In 2006 scientists had already proven star-nosed moles could breath underwater. By exhaling bubbles and then sniffing them back in, they would analyse the scent. Hamilton James wanted to prove that otters could do the same, so he started to investigate this theory.
Hamilton James has filmed otters in the dark with an infra-red camera. He placed a rotting trout underwater and waited for wild otters to appear. An otter indeed appeared and found the trout with ease.
Hamilton James said: “I always had an inkling that otters could smell underwater and I wanted to prove it." Hamilton James's findings are not yet scientific fact, but he plans to continue his research on the otter.
I must say I did not quite find this article that interesting. I like animals, so that made it less horible for me to read. But reading about an adult man devoting his time to whether an otter can breathe underwater or not? No, that is not really my cup of tea. I think it is nice for him that he devotes his life to something he loves, but I regret spending my time reading this.. I also regret the fact that useless information about otters being able to breath underwater is now stored in my head.
Link to article: "http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/7803714/Can-otters-smell-underwater.html"
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