SHERMAN, Texas (KXII) – James Bit has fished at Pecan Grove park in Sherman for years.<\/p>\n
\u201cUsually I see a lot of ducks, a lot of different kind of birds and stuff,\u201d Bit said. \u201cBut that\u2019s it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Correction: that was it.<\/p>\n
Until Friday morning, when he saw something swimming along near his bait.<\/p>\n
Bit said he first thought the animals were beavers.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt surprised me when I saw them,\u201d he said. \u201cI thought it was beavers, but then they started sticking their necks out kind of huffing and puffing at me, and I was like, that\u2019s an otter!\u201d<\/p>\n
Bit said he had not known there were otters in Texas.<\/p>\n
Game warden: More sightings possible<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Blackerby said construction in areas where otters use creeks and streams as travel corridors can lead to more sightings.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are social animals. And so when you see one, you\u2019re probably going to see more than one,\u201d Blackerby said. \u201cThere\u2019s a family of a couple of them that run together.\u201d<\/p>\n
Safety advice<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cMake sure you give them space and give them an opportunity to go the other direction, and don\u2019t corner them, because they could be aggressive,\u201d Blackerby said.<\/p>\n
Bit said, as Pecan Grove Pond is a family park, he wants visitors to watch out for their children and pets.<\/p>\n
\u201cBe careful for the little ones and your pets and everything,\u201d Bit said. \u201cJust kind of look at the shoreline, see what\u2019s out there before you approach the shoreline, just in case.\u201d<\/p>\n
And if you spot an otter, Bit said keep your distance.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust like you want your own space, they want their own space,\u201d Bit said. \u201cJust enjoy the sight. You know, it\u2019s a blessing, especially in Sherman, to see them.\u201d<\/p>\n
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