Stunning pictures have emerged of an otter treating itself to a luxurious snack – fresh Scottish lobster.
In a series of eye-catching snaps, wildlife photographer Peter Walkden caught the female mammal plunging to the depths of the choppy seas around the Isle of Mull, Argyle and Bute, in Scotland, to grab a bite to eat.
She then manages to battle her way back to shore before proudly tucking into her freshly-caught meal on the rocks of the beach.
Peter said: ‘I was slightly amazed at her skill in catching and eating such a large and potentially challenging item of prey.
Wildlife photographer Peter Walkden caught the otter plunging to the depths of the choppy seas around the Isle of Mull, Argyle and Bute, in Scotland, to grab a bite to eat
She is then spotted breaking through the waves and making her way out of the water, with the lobster still firmly in her grasp
The clever mammal gradually continues her journey to shore, much to the delight of the photographer who said: ‘I was slightly amazed at her skill in catching and eating such a large and potentially challenging item of prey’
Remarkably, she manages to retain a firm grip on her prey, despite its impressive size, though sea otters are known to eat about 25% to 30% of their body weight every day
The mammal – whose usual diet consisting of slow-moving fish and marine invertebrates, including crabs, sea urchins, abalones, clams, mussels and snails – rips into her dinner
‘I was overjoyed though to watch it through my camera though.
‘My favourite shot is of the otter breaking through the waves to bring it ashore.’
The snapper, 46, added: ‘It was history repeating itself after I chose not to approach a similar situation years ago for fear of ruining the moment for a friend, and he got some wonderful images.
‘So it was perhaps a reward for that unselfish act to see this one for myself, at last.’
A website for visitors to the island describes Mull as having ‘a very healthy population of otters, yet they can be both elusive and frustrating’.
Mr Walkden said the discovery was a case of history repeating itself, as he chose not to approach a similar situation years ago for fear of ruining the moment for a friend
Many nearby restaurants on the island serve locally-caught lobster, with some charging diners by the kilogram, while one eatery prices its fish pie, which includes Croig lobster, local Ling, Tobermory smoked haddock and salmon, at £21.95
The otter almost appears to be yelling out a battle cry as she tucks into her freshly-caught meal on the shore of the Scottish beach
A website for visitors to the island describes Mull as having ‘a very healthy population of otters, yet they can be both elusive and frustrating’
While they insist sightings can never be guaranteed, an event titled the Mull Magic Otter Walk pledges to take tourists into several of the mammals’ territories
This mouthful seems like it particularly requires the otter to sink her teeth into it, much to the delight of the onlooking photographer
The otter appears to be reaching the end of her dinner but remains determined to finish the meal she caught in the depths of the choppy seas
While they insist sightings can never be guaranteed, an event titled the Mull Magic Otter Walk pledges to take tourists into several of the mammals’ territories.
According to SeaWorld, a sea otter’s diet consists mainly of slow-moving fish and marine invertebrates, including crabs, sea urchins, abalones, clams, mussels and snails.
They also tend to eat about 25% to 30% of their weight, with a large male feasting on as much as 11kg of food every day.
Many nearby restaurants on the island serve locally-caught lobster, with some charging diners by the kilogram, while one eatery prices its fish pie, which includes Croig lobster, local Ling, Tobermory smoked haddock and salmon, at £21.95