h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: Eurasian Otter - A1319456
Author: Prideth - U246173

This is my very first attempt at an edited entry and so I sincerely hope it is interesting and informative. Most importantly, I hope it recruits many more "Otternuts" on h2g2.

Prideth

I'll pop back and read it thoroughly later on.

Morning Amy

Hope you enjoy it, you being an otter fan and all!?

Prideth

Hi Prideth,

Congrats. on a great first entry.

I have only one minor comment. I had to hold my breath almost as long as an otter to get through the first sentence! Maybe you could split it into two?

Awu.

Hi Awu

Thank you for your kind comments

I appreciate your advice re the first sentence. I have now split it as you suggested so hopefully you can breath easier now

May the MAGIC be with you!

Prideth

There's an 'exremely' which is lacking a 't', and headers don't need colons.

Cracking entry! You obviously know your stuff



Bossel

Hi Bossel

Thanks for your advice regarding colons. Have corrected that and the missing "t".

Glad you liked the entry and I hope I've recruited a new otternut! I've had a real fascination with otters since I was a hatchling.

Believe in the !

Prideth

Looks good to me.

Typo: bouyant > buoyant

Personally, if I was including links, rather than saying 'Click here', I would put the link round the name of the link itself, eg:

International Otter Survival Fund

I think it looks a lot smoother.

I think it's great but it does leap into the science rather abruptly. Since the page layout (particularly if the article gets a picture) works best across all the h2g2 skins if you have a wodge of ordinary text at the start rather than a or , perhaps a more general description of what an otter is (aim it at someone who knows what an otter is but is coming across the English name for the first time, perhaps) and something about the affection in which these creatures are held might be useful. Maybe even a short quote from Ring of Bright Water or something.

The writing flows well and gets better towards the end. Some of the sentences near the beginning are rather stilted and are in the style of bullet points rather than spoken English.

Amy

Zarquon's singing fish

I really appreciate your suggestions so I've edited the entry. I can see the improvement .

May the bless you!

Prideth

Thanks Amy

I take your point about a less scientific introduction to otters, I'll work on one

Believe in the

Prideth

I'm another fan - you might like to mention the Tamar River Sanctuary in Cornwall, which breeds otters for release back into the wild. Its a good day out when on holiday.

In features, I'd mention their needle sharp teeth - they're cute as all come on, but the little beggars can bite.

Terry Nutkins lost two fingers to an otter...

Hi McKay, "The NOT so disorganised"

It's wonderful finding all these otternuts here on h2g2

I say "NOT" so disorganised because I had never heard of the sanctuary that you know so much about. for bringing it to my attention. I did a search and found that it's actually called the Tamar Otter Sanctuary, and it's run by the Cornish Branch of The Otter Trust. I will include it as a link because people can actually see Lutra lutra and Asian Short-clawed Otters in enclosures. It's not quite the same as seeing them in the wild, but at least they'd be able to see first hand what an otter looks like.

I also take your point about needle-sharp teeth. I thought I'd kind of covered that in saying that they were supreme predators, but I'll add a bit anyway.

McKay, may the bless you!

Prideth

Hi Cyzaki

Terry Nutkin did say later that it was his fault, and he forgave the otter that took his fingers! He still absolutely adores them!

May the bless you!

Prideth

I know, I was just pointing out how much damage they can inflict if you're not careful.

I see that your entry has been picked and is on its way into the Edited Guide.

Congratulations!

Gnomon

I'm over the that my very first attempt at an entry has been recommended! I never expected it!

a muckle Gnomon.

May the bless you!

Prideth

Woohoo! Well done, Prideth!

There should normally be an automated message to tell you the entry has been picked, but the machine that does it has gone out to lunch.