One of the most loved animals, 最受喜爱的动物之一,
famed for its curious and playful nature 以好奇和顽皮著称
and incredible agility and grace underwater 水下的敏捷和优雅令人难以置信
And yet most of the life of an otter goes unseen. 然而水獭的大部分生命是看不见的.
We reveal the otter's diverse and sometimes exotic world. 我们揭示了水獭的多样性和有时异国情调的世界.
Meeting the global family. 会见全球大家庭.
And following the first year in the life of a cub. 在幼崽出生后的第一年.
Few animals seem to enjoy life more than otters, 几乎没有动物比水獭更享受生活,
but despite the fun and games,life is a challenge, 但尽管有乐趣和游戏,生活是一个挑战,
especially for this young family, 尤其是对于这个年轻的家庭,
trying to make it through winter. 想熬过冬天.
The pups were born last spring 小狗是去年春天出生的
and as they approach their first birthdays, 当他们即将迎来第一个生日时,
their time with their mother is nearing its end 他们和母亲在一起的时间快结束了
All year,she's had to spend eight hours a day hunting 一年来,她每天要花8个小时打猎
to provide not only food for herself, 不仅为自己提供食物,
but milk and now fishy snacks for her pups. 但是牛奶和现在鱼零食给她的小狗.
It's not easy to maneuver under the ice. 在冰下机动不容易.
Luckily,otters can hold their breath for eight minutes. 幸运的是,水獭能屏住呼吸8分钟.
And the payoff is that at this time of year, 回报就是每年这个时候,
fish are sluggish and easier to catch, 鱼行动迟缓,更容易捕捉,
Not that the mother will get to keep the prize. 并不是说母亲可以保留奖品.
Her daughter helps herself. 她女儿自理.
Her offspring,a male and female, 她的后代,一男一女,
have come a long way from the 12-centimeter pups 离12公分的幼崽已经很远了
she delivered last spring. 她去年春天接生的.
For the first three months,they couldn't even swim. 头三个月,他们连游泳都不会.
Now they're quite at home in the water, 现在他们在水里很自在,
but they still have a lot to learn 但他们还有很多东西要学
and not long to learn it. 很快就学会了.
They're already spending more time exploring on their own 他们已经花了更多的时间独自探索
and even finding a few meals for themselves. 甚至为自己找点吃的.
But as the ice fades away, 但随着冰的融化,
so does the close family bond. 亲密的家庭纽带也是如此.
After a year of their mother's watchful gaze, 经过母亲一年的注视,
the pups are on their own. 幼崽只能靠自己了.
At first,they cling to each other, 一开始,他们互相依附,
apprehensive about the big,new world they begin to explore 对他们开始探索的新世界感到忧虑
Otters leave their mother's territories 水獭离开母亲的领地
and must find their own places to live. 必须找到自己的住处.
The journey can take them over 100 kilometers 这段旅程可以走100多公里
and the pair might travel 20 kilometers in a day. 两人可能一天走20公里.
But spring's a great time for them to explore. 但春天是他们探索的好时机.
The vegetation is sparse, 植被稀疏,
leaving waterways open and easy to swim through. 保持水道畅通,便于游过.
The pair will cross strips of land, 两人将穿过狭长的土地,
but they are true water babies,most at home swimming. 但他们是真正的水宝宝,大多数在家游泳.
Their eyes,ears and nostrils are 他们的眼睛、耳朵和鼻孔
on the very top of their heads 在他们的头顶上
so they can almost entirely submerged 所以它们几乎可以完全淹没
but still breathe and watch where they're going. 但还是要呼吸,看他们要去哪里.
And when they do submerge, 当他们真的潜入水中时,
huge webbed feet and a muscular tail propel them 巨大的蹼足和肌肉发达的尾巴推动着它们
at nine kilometers an hour. 以每小时九公里的速度.
Their big fan of sensitive whiskers helps them 他们对敏感胡须的狂热粉丝帮助了他们
to feel their way 去感受他们的方式
and to pick up the wake created by fleeing fish. 把鱼抓起来.
One spots a silvery treat shimmering on the riverbed. 有人看到河床上闪闪发光的银色食物.
But someone's beaten them to it. 但有人打败了他们.
The crayfish has the good sense to relinquish its meal 小龙虾很明智地放弃了它的食物
and gets out of the way, 让开,
which is lucky for him. 他很幸运.
Crunchy crustaceans are among the otters' favorite foods. 松脆的甲壳类动物是水獭最喜欢的食物之一.
Of the many kinds of otters around the world, 在世界上各种水獭中,
all are willing to adapt their diets, 所有人都愿意调整饮食,
taking whatever small creatures are in their habitats. 把栖息地里的小动物都带走.
Conditions are quite different 情况大不相同
to the sheltered rivers of mainland Europe here 欧洲大陆的河流
on the wind-swept west coast of Scotland. 狂风席卷苏格兰西海岸.
Like the siblings, 像兄弟姐妹一样,
these are Eurasian otters, 这些是欧亚水獭,
but their kind is highly adaptable, 但它们的适应性很强,
even making a living on the coast. 甚至在海边谋生.
Putting up with the salty sea grants them access 忍受咸咸的海水让他们有机会
to an abundance of delicious crabs, 为了大量美味的螃蟹,
But marine dining also means they have to take extra time 但是,海上就餐也意味着他们要花额外的时间
and effort to remove the salt from their fur 努力去除皮毛上的盐分
to keep it healthy. 保持健康.
It is their one protection against the cold. 这是他们抵御寒冷的唯一办法.
A roll in the seaweed is a good start, 在海藻里滚一滚是个好的开始,
squeezing the water from their fur. 从他们的毛皮中榨取水分.
But they will regularly visit streams to have a proper wash, 但他们会定期到溪流去洗个澡,
ready to once again take the plunge. 准备再次冒险.
Eurasian otters are just one kind of many. 欧亚水獭只是众多水獭中的一种.
They have a global family,including cousins in India. 他们有一个全球性的家庭,包括在印度的堂兄弟姐妹.
Here,smooth coated otters pursue frogs, 在这里,光滑的水獭追逐青蛙,
if the neighbors don't scare off the frogs first. 如果邻居不先吓跑青蛙.
While in the famous Yellowstone National Park 在著名的黄石国家公园
of the American Midwest, 在美国中西部,
American river otters welcome new arrivals. 美洲河獭欢迎新来的人.
Trapped,racing into the parks rivers to spawn. 被困住了,跑到公园里去产卵.
At first,the powerful fish are hard to catch up with, 一开始,强壮的鱼很难追上,
but it's not long before the best fishermen 但不久以后最好的渔夫
in Yellowstone are feasting. 在黄石国家公园,人们在大吃大喝.
With food in abundance, 食物丰富,
they always look like they're having a good time. 他们看起来总是很开心.
Back in Europe,the young male tucks into his stolen prize, 回到欧洲,年轻的男性把偷来的奖品塞进去,
but his sister tries a different technique, 但他姐姐尝试了另一种方法,
pushing her nose into the mud, 把鼻子伸进泥里,
using her whiskers to try and uncover shellfish. 用她的胡须去揭开贝类.
But it's clear that her neighbors 但很明显她的邻居
are having far better luck than she is. 你的运气比她好得多.
Maybe her brother will share. 也许她哥哥会分享.
The brother and sister 兄弟姐妹
are still enjoying each other's company, 还在享受彼此的陪伴,
but they can't stay together forever. 但他们不能永远在一起.
As they reach maturity, 当他们成熟的时候,
they'll need to find unrelated partners 他们需要找到不相关的伙伴
if they're to have pups of their own. 如果他们有自己的小狗.
There are 13 kinds of otter in the world, 世界上有13种水獭,
Eurasian otters are the most widespread. 欧亚水獭分布最广.
Ranging all across Eurasia, 遍布欧亚大陆,
from the rugged coast of Ireland, 从爱尔兰崎岖的海岸,
to Kamchatka in Russia's far east, 到俄罗斯远东的堪察加半岛,
and north to south from tropical Sri Lanka 从热带斯里兰卡向北向南
to the frozen Arctic. 去冰冻的北极.
Eurasian otters might have the biggest kingdom, 欧亚水獭可能拥有最大的王国,
but they are overshadowed by the river wolves of the Amazon. 但是他们被亚马逊河的河狼所掩盖.
Giant otters are three times heavier 巨型水獭的体重是普通水獭的三倍
than their cousins in Europe, 比他们在欧洲的表亲,
The kings of the clan, 氏族的国王们,
they reign over the jungles of South America. 他们统治着南美洲的丛林.
They're the size of people. 他们有人那么大.
The top predators of the Amazonian river systems 亚马逊河流域的顶级捕食者
in which they live. 他们生活的地方.
These feisty animals will even stand up to caiman. 这些精力充沛的动物甚至可以对抗凯门鳄.
Shouting at them,mobbing them, 对他们大喊大叫,围攻他们,
ensuring they get the right of way. 确保他们有优先权.
While the young European otters have left their mother 年轻的欧洲水獭离开了它们的母亲
and set out alone,these pups have a very different future. 独自出发,这些小狗有着完全不同的未来.
Most otters are fairly solitary,but not the giants. 大多数水獭是相当孤独的,但不是巨人.
This year's pups are nearing maturity, 今年的幼崽快成熟了,
but they are not preparing to move on. 但他们并不准备继续前进.
Giant otters live in clans of up to a dozen. 巨型水獭成群结队地生活着,多达12只.
There are alphas,breeding pairs of adults, 有阿尔法,成虫繁殖对,
but also their offspring, 还有他们的后代,
which will stay on and help raise future generations, 它将继续存在并有助于养育后代,
even catching fish for the pups, 甚至为幼崽抓鱼,
Like all otters,the young were born in a den, 像所有的水獭一样,小水獭出生在巢穴里,
which for otters is known as a holt. 对于水獭来说,这被称为霍尔特.
All otters use holts for their young and as shelters, 所有水獭都用霍尔特作为幼崽的庇护所,
but the giant otters make it home. 但是巨大的水獭成功回家了.
Rolling on the doorstep,they anoint it with their scent. 他们在门阶上滚来滚去,用自己的气味涂在上面.
Urine and droppings are other markers. 尿液和粪便是其他标志物.
The whole pack uses latrines, 整群人都用厕所,
so all the stink accumulates in one place, 所有的臭味都聚集在一个地方,
they want to make sure everyone knows 他们想确保每个人都知道
this section of river is taken. 这段河被截流了.
The warning signs are sometimes ignored. 警告标志有时会被忽略.
A neighboring pack is exploring a little bit too close. 附近的一个族群探索得有点太近了.
Perhaps they're looking to expand their own territory. 也许他们想扩大自己的地盘.
The family will not stand by and let that happen. 家人不会袖手旁观让这种事发生.
They are united in their defense. 他们联合起来防守.
Giant otters have the peculiar habit of periscoping, 巨型水獭有观察周围的特殊习惯,
raising their head and neck out of the water. 把他们的头和脖子抬出水面.
This is to show off their neck markings. 这是为了炫耀他们的颈部标记.
They are as unique to each otter as human fingerprints, 它们对每只水獭来说就像人类的指纹一样独特,
helping to identify who is friend or foe. 帮助确定谁是朋友或敌人.
There's a shouting match. 有一场叫喊比赛.
Giant otters are the noisiest of all, 巨型水獭是最吵的,
with nine distinct calls. 有九个不同的电话.
Territorial disputes can become very violent. 领土争端可能变得非常暴力.
Individuals can even be killed. 个人甚至可能被杀害.
But today,the display of posturing and yelling 但是今天,摆姿势和大喊大叫
seems to be enough to persuade the intruders to turn back 似乎足以说服入侵者掉头
The victorious giants return to what they do best,fishing. 胜利的巨人回到他们最擅长的领域,捕鱼.
Living in a deep tributary of the Amazon, 生活在亚马逊河的一条深支流里,
the river otters have plenty of water to hunt in. 河獭有足够的水来捕食.
But for their cousins in Europe, 但对他们在欧洲的表亲来说,
the seasons are changing. 季节在变.
In the height of summer,pools dry up. 盛夏时,池塘干涸了.
As the waters recede, 随着海水退去,
the fish are being concentrated into even smaller pools. 这些鱼被集中到更小的池塘里.
Something lucky fishermen,hope to cash in on. 一些幸运的渔民,希望能从中获利.
The commotion attracts the otters who detour 骚动吸引了绕道而行的水獭
from the river course, 从河道上,
making a land crossing to cash in on the easy pickings. 做一个陆路交叉口,从轻松的挑选中获利.
The young pair can hardly believe their luck 这对年轻人简直不敢相信他们的运气
and soon take over from the birds. 很快就接管了鸟类.
The hapless fish are trapped,easy pickings for the otters. 倒霉的鱼被困住了,水獭很容易就被抓住了.
But not for long. 但不会太久.
The tough,dry clay soil holds the water. 坚硬、干燥的粘土能保持水分.
so levels quickly rise and flood. 所以水位迅速上升,洪水泛滥.
Ultimately,the fresh water will replenish the landscape, 最终,淡水将补充景观,
but for now it's a danger to the creatures of the forest 但现在这对森林里的生物来说是个危险
who must swim for their lives 为了他们的生命必须游泳
or move to higher ground. 或者搬到更高的地方.
In the chaos of the flooding, 在洪水的混乱中,
the young otters have become separated. 小水獭已经分居了.
Moving with the floodwater,but in different directions. 随着洪水移动,但方向不同.
From now on,they will follow their own paths. 从现在起,他们将走自己的路.
The seasonal changes have been dramatic, 季节性的变化非常剧烈,
but it's nothing compared to the Amazon. 但与亚马逊相比,这算不了什么.
It rains all the time here. 这里一直下雨.
But during the rainy season, 但在雨季,
the landscape is truly transformed. 风景真的改变了.
The rising rivers burst their banks 上涨的河流决堤
and flood vast stretches of forest. 洪水淹没了大片的森林.
But to the otters,this is of benefit. 但对水獭来说,这是有益的.
Now they're no longer limited to fishing in the rivers. 现在他们不再局限于在河里捕鱼.
They can go hunting among the trees too. 他们也可以在树林里打猎.
They work together to hunt as a pack. 它们成群结队地一起打猎.
Flushing out fish 冲走鱼
and driving them towards other hungry mouths. 把它们赶到其他饥饿的地方.
After a feast,the pack regroup and play, 一顿盛宴之后,狼群重新集结,开始玩耍,
while birds try to nip in and grab any leftovers. 当鸟儿们试图咬进去并抓住任何剩菜的时候.
An otter paradise,a utopia, 水獭天堂,乌托邦,
but in the dense jungle,it's not wise to drop your guard. 但是在茂密的丛林里,放松警惕是不明智的.
A jaguar,the biggest predator in the forest, 一只美洲虎,森林里最大的食肉动物,
is watching the family relax. 看着家人放松.
On padded toes,it slips silently closer. 在加垫的脚趾上,它悄悄地滑近.
The jaguar is the king of the forest. 美洲虎是森林之王.
It even hunts the powerful caiman. 它甚至猎杀强大的凯门鳄.
Otters are a tough target, 水獭是个很难对付的目标,
unless it can catch one unawares, 除非它能在不知不觉中抓住一个,
but the sharp-eyed birds spot the danger. 但是眼睛敏锐的鸟儿发现了危险.
Now with the pack on high alert, 现在大家高度戒备,
he has no chance of an ambush. 他不可能遭到伏击.
Working together,they can easily stand their ground. 通过合作,他们很容易站稳脚跟.
They're not known as river wolves for nothing. 他们不是白白的河狼.
Giants are not the only otters to swim through forests. 巨人不是唯一在森林中游泳的水獭.
Off the Pacific coast of North America, 在北美洲的太平洋沿岸,
this is a kelp forest. 这是一片海带林.
The largest seaweed on the planet. 地球上最大的海藻.
Kelp can grow an astonishing 30 centimeters a day. 海带一天能长出惊人的30厘米.
It's the base of a food chain for a myriad of animals. 它是无数动物食物链的基础.
Including the world's heaviest otters 包括世界上最重的水獭
and the only ones that are truly marine. 唯一真正的海洋生物.
They can hold their breath for a few minutes 他们可以屏住呼吸几分钟
and dive as deep as 80 meters 潜到80米深
to hunt sea urchins and abalone. 捕猎海胆和鲍鱼.
To keep their energy in the cold water, 把能量储存在冷水里,
they need to forage for up to 12 hours a day 它们一天要吃草12个小时
and eat a quarter of their body weight. 吃掉它们体重的四分之一.
They are also protected by the densest fur on the planet, 它们还受到地球上最密集的皮毛的保护,
with up to 150,000 hairs per square centimeter. 每平方厘米有15万根头发.
It traps warm air against their bodies 它把热空气困在他们身上
and keeps the cold water away from their skin. 让冷水远离他们的皮肤.
It requires a lot of maintenance 它需要大量的维护
so the otters must regularly lie on the surface and groom. 所以水獭必须定期躺在水面上梳理毛发.
The most social of otters,they hang out in rafts. 最善于交际的水獭,它们在木筏里闲逛.
Staying together makes it easier 在一起更容易
to detect and avoid predators. 发现并躲避掠食者.
It's much harder for otters in other parts of the world 在世界其他地方,水獭要难多了
who have to make it on their own. 他们必须自己做.
Of the two European cubs, 在两只欧洲幼崽中,
the female has gone the furthest. 雌性已经走得最远了.
She has an instinctive desire 她有一种本能的欲望
to find a territory of her own. 找到属于自己的领地.
She needs to find a patch with a good system of waterways 她需要找一个有良好水道系统的地方
and with good haul-out spots 还有好的拖拉点
and places where she could potentially build a dam. 以及她可能建造水坝的地方.
It must be an area where male otters might find her. 一定是雄性水獭找到她的地方.
And above all,it needs an abundance of food, 最重要的是,它需要丰富的食物,
especially if she wants to start a family 尤其是如果她想成家的话
and have to feed pups as well as herself. 还要喂小狗和自己.
She takes regular breaks along her journey to refuel. 她在旅途中定期休息加油.
Maintaining a healthy body is vital 保持健康的身体是至关重要的
if she's to succeed in her mission, 如果她想成功完成任务,
especially as winter is rapidly closing in. 尤其是冬天快到了.
Winter can hit hard in the north. 冬天在北方可能会受到重创.
A storm from the east brings heavy snow 来自东方的暴风雨带来了大雪
Overnight,her environment is transformed. 一夜之间,她的环境改变了.
At such times,landscapes can seem devoid of life. 在这样的时候,风景似乎没有生命.
Many animal inhabitants migrate, 许多动物迁徙,
leaving the cold north for summer retreats 离开寒冷的北方去避暑
or hibernate to escape the frost. 或者冬眠以躲避霜冻.
But the otter must fend for herself throughout the year. 但是水獭一年四季都得自己照顾自己.
Her only company,a dipper. 只有她的公司.
A plucky little songbird 勇敢的小鸟
that ekes out a living by diving into streams 以潜入溪流为生
to hunt out insects or fish eggs. 猎杀昆虫或鱼卵.
Though in winter,small shellfish are easier to find. 虽然在冬天,小贝类更容易找到.
It benefits from the otter. 它得益于水獭.
As she feeds,she keeps the ice open 她一边喂,一边把冰打开
and stirs up the river bed. 搅动河床.
Perhaps dislodging small treats for the bird. 也许是为了给鸟吃点小东西.
Someone else spots her handiwork. 我看到了别人的手艺.
The ice is making life hard for an egret. 冰使白鹭的生活变得艰难.
The otter holes offer a window on the aquatic life beneath. 水獭洞提供了一个观察水下生物的窗口.
It momentarily considers grand theft, 暂时认为是大盗,
but the otter is not about to give up her prize. 但是水獭不会放弃她的奖品.
Egrets are superb fishers 白鹭是一流的渔夫
and thanks to the otter's ice holes, 多亏了水獭的冰洞,
this one can take care of itself. 这个可以自己照顾自己.
With the cold water, 用冷水,
the fish are sluggish and easier to catch 鱼行动迟缓,更容易捕捉
and become much-needed energy boosts. 成为急需的能量助推器.
Rolling on fresh snow pushes the water from her fur, 在新鲜的雪上打滚,把水从她的毛皮里挤出来,
drying it,helping to keep her warm. 擦干它,帮她保暖.
Sunny winter days bring other visitors. 阳光明媚的冬日带来了其他游客.
Otters can live close to people, 水獭可以住在离人很近的地方,
though tend to lurk in the shadows, 虽然他喜欢躲在暗处,
often going unnoticed. 经常不被注意.
The people pass and she can get back to her hunting. 人们过去了,她就可以回去打猎了.
Her thick double-layered coat keeps her warm, 她厚厚的双层外套保暖,
even in the freezing water. 即使在冰冷的水中.
The tough guard hairs stopping water 坚强的卫兵在停水
from penetrating the dense wool beneath, 从下面浓密的羊毛里钻出来,
trapping an insulating layer of air. 截留空气的绝缘层.
It's enough to weather the cold. 这足以抵御寒冷.
Though fortunately,it isn't long before conditions improve. 不过幸运的是,不久情况就会好转.
Winter slowly loosens its grip 冬天慢慢地松了手
and the otter finds herself in a land of opportunity. 水獭发现自己在一个充满机遇的地方.
Turtles emerge from hibernation and prepare to breed, 海龟从冬眠中出来准备繁殖,
but some are fairing much better 但有些情况要好得多
at this mating game than others. 在这种交配游戏中.
Amphibians also throw themselves enthusiastically 两栖动物也热衷于投球
into their spawning season. 进入产卵季节.
Well,most of them. 嗯,他们中的大多数.
Frogs legs,in abundance. 青蛙的腿,很多.
The perfect spring pick-me-up for the hungry otter. 完美的春天把我带到饥饿的水獭身边.
Seeking them out in the reeds, 在芦苇丛中寻找他们,
she disturbs a nest of little bitterns. 她搅乱了一窝小苦瓜.
Otters are not fussy diners. 水獭不是挑剔的食客.
Small birds are a good source of protein. 小鸟是蛋白质的好来源.
But the bitterns freeze instinctively, 但是苦味会本能地冻结,
keeping still and letting their camouflage work its magic 保持静止,让他们的伪装发挥它的魔力
is their best line of defense. 是他们最好的防线.
Fortunately,there's plenty of prey 幸运的是,这里有很多猎物
for both the otter and the birds, 对水獭和鸟来说,
though perhaps the heron's eyes were bigger 也许苍鹭的眼睛更大
than its stomach. 而不是它的胃.
Seasonal abundance benefits otters around the world. 季节性丰富有益于世界各地的水獭.
For example,during autumn on America's Pacific coast. 例如,在美国太平洋海岸的秋天.
Here the female's close cousins, 这是雌性的近亲,
the similar looking river otters, 长相相似的河獭,
are waiting around expectantly. 都在等着呢.
This family live on a small stretch of stream high 住在这条小溪上的一户人家
in the mountains. 在山里.
It doesn't look like the most promising place to feed 它看起来不像是最有希望的地方
but they know an annual event is coming 但他们知道一年一度的活动即将到来
that will stock up their larder. 那会囤积他们的储藏室.
Salmon. 鲑鱼.
These fish are exhausted, 这些鱼累坏了,
having swum from the ocean,up waterfalls 从海里游到瀑布上
and into the mountain streams. 进入山涧.
The salmon are here to lay their eggs on the stream bed, 鲑鱼在河床上产卵,
the same place where they themselves hatched. 它们自己孵化的地方.
But the otters have other ideas. 但是水獭有其他的想法.
The salmon die at the end of their journeys anyway, 不管怎样,鲑鱼都会在旅途结束时死去,
once they've spawned,but thanks to the otters, 一旦它们产卵了,多亏了水獭,
some are going to fail at their final hurdle. 有些人在最后一关就要失败了.
The river otters needs 河獭需要
to eat a fifth of their body weight per day, 每天吃他们体重的五分之一,
but with the giant salmon available,that's not hard. 但有了大马哈鱼,这并不难.
Leaving time left for grooming. 剩下的时间是梳洗.
And a bit of twerking. 再加上一点粗花呢.
Bouncing up and down to spray scent over the riverbanks 跳来跳去,在河岸上洒下香味
to mark the best fishing spots. 标记最佳钓鱼点.
The mountain streams are providing well for this family. 山涧为这个家庭提供了充足的食物.
And the European otter might finally have found her own spot 欧洲水獭也许终于找到了自己的位置
to do the same 做同样的事
Sunny days and lush green spring growth surround the otter 阳光明媚的日子和郁郁葱葱的春天环绕着水獭
as she settles in. 当她安顿下来的时候.
She's found a patch to call home. 她找到了一个打电话回家的地方.
There are fish in abundance, 鱼很多,
crystal-clear waters and banks lined with basking spots 晶莹剔透的海水和布满晒斑的河岸
and hideaways,an otter paradise. 隐居处,水獭的天堂.
There is only one thing missing. 只缺一件事.
For a few months,she has to enjoy her new territory alone. 几个月来,她不得不独自享受她的新领地.
Until one day a faint scent carries on the breeze. 直到有一天微风中飘着淡淡的香味.
Otters have a distinctive musky scent. 水獭有独特的麝香气味.
Some people think it smells like jasmine tea. 有些人认为它闻起来像茉莉花茶.
There's so much chemical information in the odor 气味里有很多化学信息
that otters can use them to identify each other, 水獭可以用它们来识别彼此,
determining their age,health,and gender, 确定他们的年龄、健康状况和性别,
without having to meet. 不用见面.
And this is the smell of a male. 这是雄性的味道.
Her interest's piqued,she's compelled to investigate. 她的兴趣被激发了,她不得不调查.
They seem to hit it off instantly. 他们似乎一见如故.
Their aquatic ballet is a prelude to mating. 它们的交配是水上芭蕾舞的前奏.
They will mate regularly. 它们会定期交配.
The pair will only stay together for three or four days. 两人只会在一起呆三四天.
But what wonderful days they are. 但这是多么美好的日子啊.
And then the romance is over. 然后浪漫就结束了.
Alone again,the young female makes 年轻的雌性再次独自一人
the most of summer's bounty. 夏天的大部分赏金.
There's an abundance of fish,which is just as well. 有很多鱼,这也不错.
Her encounters with the friendly male have paid off. 她与这只友好的雄性动物的相遇得到了回报.
Her journey has come full circle 她的旅程已全面结束
from being a pup in her mother's care 从她妈妈照顾的小狗
to preparing to become a mother herself. 准备自己当妈妈.