SHERMAN, Texas (KXII) – James Bit has fished at Pecan Grove park in Sherman for years.
“Usually I see a lot of ducks, a lot of different kind of birds and stuff,” Bit said. “But that’s it.”
Correction: that was it.
Until Friday morning, when he saw something swimming along near his bait.
Bit said he first thought the animals were beavers.
“It surprised me when I saw them,” he said. “I thought it was beavers, but then they started sticking their necks out kind of huffing and puffing at me, and I was like, that’s an otter!”
Bit said he had not known there were otters in Texas.
Game warden: More sightings possible
Grayson County Game Warden Daron Blackerby said the otter population in the area is making a comeback and people may start seeing more of them.
He said otters prefer fish as their main food source, and they are sometimes spotted in public freshwater bodies, creeks and streams. He said they travel up and down creeks after a good rain.
Blackerby said construction in areas where otters use creeks and streams as travel corridors can lead to more sightings.
“They are social animals. And so when you see one, you’re probably going to see more than one,” Blackerby said. “There’s a family of a couple of them that run together.”
Safety advice
Blackerby wants to remind everyone that otters are wild animals and people should be careful if they see one. He said most will move away from people if they have a way to escape.
“Make sure you give them space and give them an opportunity to go the other direction, and don’t corner them, because they could be aggressive,” Blackerby said.
Bit said, as Pecan Grove Pond is a family park, he wants visitors to watch out for their children and pets.
“Be careful for the little ones and your pets and everything,” Bit said. “Just kind of look at the shoreline, see what’s out there before you approach the shoreline, just in case.”
And if you spot an otter, Bit said keep your distance.
“Just like you want your own space, they want their own space,” Bit said. “Just enjoy the sight. You know, it’s a blessing, especially in Sherman, to see them.”
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