Anatomy

=__Outside__= The Fox Otter is about 1 meter long, and about 1 foot high at the shoulder. It has a brown, thick, coat of fur, with a white face, with a sleek appearance. The Fox Otter has a slightly pointed snout, with sharp teeth. It has short legs, so it walks close to the ground. It has large ears sticking out of the top of its head. it has a thin, skinny, tail. It has retractable claws on its front paws.

__**Inside**__ The Circulatory system of the fox otter is the same as in all mammals. There is a four chambered HEART, with two atria and two ventricles. These pump blood into and out of the heart. Oxygenated blood flows through the ARTERIES to the tissues of the body, where oxygen is given to the tissues. Then, deoxygenated blood comes back to the heart through the VEINS.

The Respiratory system of the Fox Otter is different from most other mammals. It has an enlarged LUNG, up to 2.5 times the size of regular land mammals of the same size. This enables it to float, because it can store all of the extra air needed to be buoyant. The lung also oxygenates blood. The NOSE of the Fox Otter has a powerful sense of smell, enabling it to track down prey.

The Musculoskeletal system of the Fox Otter is similar to most small, land based mammals. It has BONES, which provide a frame for the muscles to attach to, and to protect the inner organs. The powerful leg MUSCLES of the Fox Otter allow it to move fast, and require lots of oxygen.

=__Interaction of Systems__= The three systems described above are very important to each other. The Circulatory system provides oxygen to the muscles of the Fox Otter. This allows it to hunt for prey. However, the Circulatory system cannot provide oxygen without the oxygen that the lungs carry. The Respiratory system provides oxygen to the lungs. The circulatory system takes that oxygen, and moves it to the muscles.