Myra Allison, age 10, of Mesa, Ariz., for her question:

WHAT DOES THE OTTER EAT?

An otter lives close to the water and spends much of his time in it. A member of the weasel family, this animal can be found on every continent except Australia.

Otters eat crayfish, crabs and fish. Sometimes they catch and eat trout, but generally they dine on slower fish. Otters also eat clams, frogs, insects, snails, snakes and, occasionally, waterfowl. Like muskrats and beavers, otters have long coarse guard hairs that cover and protect the short, thick under fur. The animals grow from three to four feet long and weigh between 10 and 30 pounds.

Otters can be found living along rivers, streams, lakes, marshes and coastal waters.