tourism

Otters are animals for international protection distributed in such countries as the DPRK, China, Russia and Kazakhstan.

In the area of Poptong County located between the Masik and Ahobi mountain ranges, mountains are high and steep and there are a small area of flatland and many rocks around rivulets flowing along deep valleys, and therefore it provides otters with good habitats.

This area was designated and has been protected as an otter reserve in the central part of the DPRK.

Streams in the area abound with foods for the animal as they are teeming with a variety of fish including minnow, catfish and loach and such invertebrates as crayfish and crab.

The animal often nests in a rock crevice under a rocky cliff by the uninhabited riverside, between rocks at the junction of two rivers or near the neck of the rapids, or under the roots of a tree.

It is active mainly at night and occasionally in daytime. Under water it moves at a fast speed, swimming and diving skilfully. But it moves slowly on the ground as its legs are short.

It is 65-75cm long and its tail is 45-50cm in length.

The period between February and April is its mating season, and the female breeds a litter of two to four younglings between April and June.