This is intended to be accurate for Warwick, but
with a bias towards artistic hints rather than strict science.
Warwick is based on the Eurasian Otter (Lutra Lutra). Most of the pictures
here are of the North American otter because the North American otter seems to
be bolder about having its photo taken. The main nit-picky difference between
North American otters and Eurasian otters is the shape of the black skin
forming the nose (see page end). American otters' eyes bug out more than
Eurasian otters', and their faces tend to be a bit longer, but it's safe to
treat Warwick a little cartoonily and quietly ignore that.
Warwick is about ten feet long, including four feet of tail, and is about
two feet high at the shoulder.
(Note to self: more body-profile and paw pictures)
I love the way this otter's elbows and haunches slip inside the loose
envelope of fur covering his body.
There's a short heavy web between the back of the haunches and the tail
in river otters which helps with propulsion; you can see it a bit here.
Otters are oozy. This is
a Brazillian Giant Otter. Notice how his tail is so thick at its base. Warwick
is about twice the length of this one - ten feet nose to tailtip, incorporating
four foot of tail, but is modelled after Lutra Lutra.
Five digits on fore and hind paws, with webbing extending to the final
joint of each finger.
Otters' tails are more substantially muscular and more part of their
bodies than their legs! A dog or a cat without a tail... eh. You try that on
an otter, and it would be like removing at least one leg, if not two. So no
sneaky drawing the legs in and then adding the tail on as an afterthought.
Long sinuous body, flat head. Rather chunkier than a ferret, with a much
broader muzzle.
Neck about the same circumference as the head, leading to a slightly
broader body. Subtle shoulders.
The photos above are of North American otters, not a Eurasian otters. You
can tell this mainly from the shape of the top of the black bit of the nose:
it's like a diamond.
Otters have far too many whiskers - the obvious ones from the
whiskerpads, but also some from the eyebrow region, and some from the back of
the elbow.
Otters are very shiny when they've just come out of the water. I like
this!
