The otter was soon nicknamed Sutro Sam, and drew in legions of curious onlookers as he caught and chomped down fish, gathered reeds for bedding, and groomed or sunbathed on the concrete wall separating the baths from the beach. Underwater, the river otter swims as fast as 7 miles per hour with considerable grace and agility, necessary for catching prey. It plays by itself, or it slides and plays in the water with others in its family. Females typically are smaller. The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis), also known as the northern river otter or common otter, is a semiaquatic mammal endemic to the North American continent found in and along its waterways and coasts. Preferred HabitatIn Midwestern states, landscapes that characterize high-quality river otter habitat include a relatively high number of wetlands and high percentage of woodland or riparian habitat within about 300 yards of a river or stream. River otters belong to the weasel family. They tend to stick to freshwater areas including lakes and rivers. Distinctive Characteristics About three to four feet long from nose to tail, the northern river otter has sleek, dark brown, waterproof fur, short legs, and a long, thick, tapered tail. This tail serves to propel the otters through water. 1999. Small mammals in the river otter food chain include mice, immature beavers and muskrats. The American river otter is a graceful and beautiful addition to many North Carolina rivers. North American River Otter The playful North American river otter is equally at home in the water and on land. River otters possess long, muscular bodies suited to their life on both land and in water. In 1986, the Ohio Division of Wildlife began a seven-year project to reintroduce the species to the state. Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Small eyes and ears, a broad, flattened head, long cylindrical form, and four webbed feet suit it for its semiaquatic life. The river otter food chain consists mostly of fish. Their toes are webbed, they have short legs and they boast a tapered tail ranging up to 15 inches long. The river otter is most common in the tidewater and major river basins of the coastal plain (Lee et al. Bats of the Rocky Mountain West; natural history, ecology, and conservation. The fur is dark brown or almost black above with lighter underside. Photo about Northern river otter on the wood. 161 p. Werner, J.K., B.A. R1-93-34. Amphibians and reptiles of Montana. Image of canadensis, nature, otter - 28343614 They do live on land too but you may not see that as apparent as with other species of Otters. Male otters can grow to almost 4 feet long and can weigh up to 28 pounds. The North American river otter was once nearly eliminated in Missouri, but thanks to restoration efforts, these powerful swimmers are once again found throughout most of the state. North Fork, Whetstone River. Thornton, K.P. Northern river otters have thick lustrous fur. USDA Forest Service, Northern Region. Thought to be nearly extirpated from the mountains and upper piedmont by the 1930s, reintroduction projects in the mountains have reestablished a small population there. They live in riparian zones, which are the areas that border stream, rivers, and lakes. Their toes are webbed, they have short legs and they boast a tapered tail ranging up to 15 inches long. Mammals of Montana. It weighs around 5 – 14 kg (11 – 31 lb). 72 p. Maxell, B.A. Boulder, CO: University Press of Colorado. High flow volume water, densely vegetated and undercut banks preferable, non-turbid water and presence of sloughs and side channels to serve as brood rearing habitat are also important in winter. The river otter is a semi-aquatic mammal found throughout Massachusetts’ lakes, rivers, and coastal habitats. One of nature’s most social and playful creatures, the northern river otter is often seen in pairs or groups frolicking in waterways, sliding on the mudflats or rolling on logs. Missoula, MT: Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana. Hendricks, C.R. Using personal observations and reviewing literature that summarize the breeding, overwintering, or migratory habitat requirements of each species (Dobkin 1992, Hart et al. Report to U.S. Forest Service Region 1. Despite its common name, the North American river otter is equally comfortable in either coastal marine or freshwater habitats. River otters are strong, unmatched swimmers in their environments, and on land they can run at speeds up to 15 miles per hour. Foresman, K.R. River otters can be found throughout much of the United States, Canada and Mexico around the Rio Grande and Colorado River deltas. River otters may live along rivers, lakes, ponds, sloughs, bays, estuaries or even along a seacoast. Canadian Journal of Zoology: Seasonal Diet of the Northern River Otter (Lontra Canadensis): What Drives Prey Selection? River otters reach sexual maturity at two years. Mountain Press Publishing, Missoula, Montana. The young are born fur-covered, but blind (Burt and Grossenheider 1964), they are weaned in approximately 91 days (Toweill and Tabor 1982), and they are ready to fend for themselves at eight months of age (Zeveloff and Collett 1988). The female births a litter of two to four pups in the spring. The river otter food chain also consists of mussels, bivalves, snails, crabs, crayfish, turtles, frogs, large beetles, worms, injured waterfowl or chicks, bird eggs, fish eggs, snakes and snake eggs. Its throat and belly are golden or silvery brown. The river otter has a long, streamlined body with dense brown fur. 2004. A female river otter exhibits delayed implantation of her fertilized egg, so that it will not implant on her uterus for several months. They are known to dig tunnels under the … Open-water stream channels used (Zackheim 1982). It has a long tail that is thick at the base, tapers toward the tip and grows to 12 to 19 inches in length. I, too, assumed that sea + otter = sea otter. Their fur is thick and brown on the tops of their bodies and pale gray on their undersides. The Northern River Otter is found both in Canada and the United States. Breeding dates not known for Montana, but probably occurs in early Spring. The female otter's ovaries increase in size as maturation occurs. In the right habitat, River Otters can be found throughout Georgia. Bodygrip traps should be used only in submersion sets. Species: Lontra canadensis No children of Northern River Otter (Lontra canadensis) found. Habitat relationships of landbirds in the Northern Region, USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station RMRS-GTR-32. Their dense, short under-fur is overlain by darker, coarse guard hairs that help repel wa… Dianne features science as well as writing topics on her website, jdiannedotson.com. The fat layer underneath their skin protects them from cold temperatures. River otters possess special valves to seal their ears and noses while they swim underwater. 429 pp. Observations in Montana Natural Heritage Program Database. When cornered on land, they will fight and scratch. 2000. For this reason, the river otter must consume food often. River otters do not store food or hibernate in winter. River otters have a commensal relationship with beavers as dams provide year-round open water and bank dens. She spent nine years working in laboratory and clinical research. Order of importance varies: sunfish, suckers, sculpin, trout, invertebrates, and frogs. Small eyes and ears, a broad, flattened head, long cylindrical form, and four webbed feet suit it for its semiaquatic life. These pups stay with their mother until autumn. 2004); Evaluating structural characteristics and distribution of each ecological system relative to the species' range and habitat requirements; Examining the observation records for each species in the state-wide point observation database associated with each ecological system; Calculating the percentage of observations associated with each ecological system relative to the percent of Montana covered by each ecological system to get a measure of "observations versus availability of habitat". The river otter food chain also includes aquatic plants and roots. It has a long, slender body covered in brown, water proof fur. River otters grow 26 to 40 inches in length, not including the tail, and weigh up to 18 pounds; males are approximately 17 percent large… Protecting these fascinating, playful animals aids many species. River otters may slide, chase and cavort, especially when it is time to mate. The long whiskers around their noses, called vibrissae, aid in food searches in murkier waters. The northern river otter (Lontra canadensis, formerly Lutra canadensis) is a semi-aquatic carnivorous mammal in the Mustelidae or “weasel family” which includes weasels, minks, ferrets, wolverines and badgers. Their thick fur made them highly prized for their pelts. Currently, many populations along the coastal United States and Canada are stable or increasing, but this species is rare or extirpated throughout much of the Midwestern United States. Once abundant throughout the watersheds of the United States and Canada, river otter numbers suffered greatly due to hunting by humans. North American river otters are the only river otter that is found north of Mexico. They are highly adaptable animals so as long as they have access to enough food and water they can thrive. Dens and lodges are used by river otters as rest and natal sites. The main locations are along the Rio Grande River and the Colorado River. Ecological Systems Associated with this Species. A lifelong writer, Dianne is also a content manager and science fiction & fantasy novelist. Copyright Jeff Rice, all rights reserved. Otters have sharp claws on their feet to catch prey. Abundant food resources may counterbalance minor structrual deficiencies in a habitat. River otters use their fine sense of smell on land; below the water, their eyesight is far keener. 262 p. Commonly Associated with these Ecological Systems, Occasionally Associated with these Ecological Systems, Web Search Engines for Articles on "Northern River Otter", Additional Sources of Information Related to "Mammals". Generally solitary, river otters do engage in play when they meet. These pregnant females seek shelter in dens lined with vegetation. Overview. In addition, its fur, dark brown on top, silvery or paler brown on the throat, chest, and underside, has special qualities. They enjoy carp, sunfish, minnows, suckers, sculpin and salmonids such as: River otters also prefer slower-moving fish to game fish. Redmond. When winter arrives, river otters will hunt under ice for food. Their … These are river otters. It has 36 teeth. The river otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur. River otters possess long, muscular bodies suited to their life on both land and in water. Adams, R.A.  2003. Mainly fish. An adult North American river otter can weigh between 5.0 and 14 kg (11.0 and 30.9 lb). Their high metabolisms result in rapid food digestion. Habitat loss and water pollution also took detrimental tolls on river otters. Their body shape aids in helping them make sudden turns to catch fish and other prey. River otters help thin invasive species and protect biodiversity. Today, reintroduction efforts and stricter environmental regulation aid the increasing numbers of river otters. It is more nocturnal in summer and its eyes reflect a faint amber glow at night. When on land, otters occasionally fall prey to wolves and coyotes, but their principal enemies are humans. Typically such dens are makeshift, from log piles or similar natural sources, but often they will use former beaver or nutria dens as well. IUCN Otter Specialist Group Bulletin: Prey Preference of the North American River Otter (Lontra Canadensis) Evaluated Based on Optimal Foraging Theory. McLaughlin, C.M. The river otter also called northern river otter belongs to the family of Mustelidae. They do fine in both cold and warm temperatures of water. River otters consume both aquatic animal and plant life, with some exceptions. But instead, I held back and listened to the conversation, thinking back to ten years ago or so when I first saw river otters in the ocean. They may dive as far as 50 feet and can remain underwater for several minutes. They are found throughout most of North America – from the Rio Grande in Northern Mexico to Canada and Alaska. Marsh near Punished Woman's Lake. Enlarge Image . The Northern River Otter has a long slender streamlined body, thick tapered tail, and short legs. Northern River Otter. Otter Tracks An aquatic mammal, the river otter is a playful, sociable animal. This animal’s lovely waterproof pelt, which allows it to regulate its temperature, in the 1700s-1800s, a regular part of French fur trade, has meant this animal has been hunted for hundreds of years. Channel Set for Otters The long guard hairs remain pliable in very cold weather (Ulrich 1986), and the dense underfur traps air to insulate it in water. The river otter food web maintains great biodiversity. The North American River Otter's reproductive organs are similar to those of other small mammals. These otters have brown-to-gray fur, and their undersides are a lighter, silvery shade. Probably breed every 2 to 3 years. Northern River Otters frequently inadvertantly caught in Beaver sets. Otters are considered lucky animals in many Native American cultures and the otter is a symbol of loyalty and honesty in some West Coast tribes, but in northern British Columbia and the Alaskan coast, river otters (usually called "land-otters") were associated with ghosts and drowning and were regarded by the people with awe and dread. Missoula, MT. The male reproductive system contains a penis, testes, scrotum and more while the female reproductive system contains a vagina, ovaries, etc. Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, University of Montana, Missoula, MT. 1998, Hutto and Young 1999, Maxell 2000, Foresman 2012, Adams 2003, and Werner et al. Without river otters, entire watershed food webs would suffer. Sighting one can be an exciting occasion for boaters, fishermen and other outdoor enthusiasts because of the creature’s secretive nature and relative rarity in some waters. River otters are smaller than their cousins, the sea otters. Its short, muscular legs move surprisingly well on land, and is usually seen traveling in pairs (Foresman 2012). Here is a to the audio instead. Tobalske, B.A. River otters are apex predators in various watershed environments. Neotropical migrant land birds in the Northern Rockies and Great Plains. Maxell, P. Hendricks, and D. Flath. The adult Northern River Otter in Montana weighs around 20 pounds and measures close to 47 inches long. Common otter is the other name for this animal. This tail serves to propel the otters through water. Its thick, powerful tail makes up nearly 20 inches of that length. View in other NatureServe Network Field Guides, It seems your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio. River otters play the role of apex predators, so the river otter food web represents great importance to many watersheds. Management of Montana's amphibians: a review of factors that may present a risk to population viability and accounts on the identification, distribution, taxonomy, habitat use, natural history, and the status and conservation of individual species. Missoula, MT: Mountain Press Publishing Company. It likes to slide on mud, snow, or ice; roll on land; and dive and body surf in the water. 2012. Its thick, powerful tail makes up nearly 20 inches of that length. A sea otter! Perhaps higher human-caused mortality than reported. 1982). Its numbers have been greatly reduced through loss of habitat and through hunting and trapping in most of its former range. and J.S. River otters (Lontra canadensis) are amphibious mammals known for their swimming ability. Their small heads widen to long necks and shoulders, and they have flattened, well-muscled tails. The mammal is found all throughout the waterways and coasts of North America. Williams, P.C. Peterson, and R.L. Audio file courtesy of the Acoustic Atlas at Montana State University (www.acousticatlas.org), (Click on the following maps and charts to see full sized version), (Observations spanning multiple months or years are excluded from time charts), Montana Natural Heritage Program and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, http://FieldGuide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=AMAJF10010, Rocky Mountain Dry-Mesic Montane Mixed Conifer Forest, Northern Rocky Mountain Lower Montane Riparian Woodland and Shrubland, Rocky Mountain Lower Montane-Foothill Riparian Woodland and Shrubland, Rocky Mountain Subalpine-Montane Riparian Shrubland, Rocky Mountain Subalpine-Montane Riparian Woodland, Rocky Mountain Lower Montane, Foothill, and Valley Grassland, Rocky Mountain Subalpine-Montane Mesic Meadow, Rocky Mountain Subalpine Deciduous Shrubland, Beaver Institute (research, management, education), Beavers Northwest (conflict resolution, conservation, education), Identification Manual to the Small Mammals of British Columbia, Montana Department of Agriculture Vertebrate Pest Bulletins, Natural Heritage MapViewer (Statewide Database of Animal Observations), Species Accounts for Mammals of the World, Details on Creation and Suggested Uses and Limitations. The animal slides down mud and snow seemingly for the sheer delight of it. River otters can live up to about 10 years in the wild. The mammals have thick, protective fur to help them keep warm while swimming in cold waters. The face is short with small ears. River otters are apex predators in their food web. J. Dianne Dotson is a science writer with a degree in zoology/ecology and evolutionary biology. North American river otters (Lontra candensis) are semi-aquatic mammals that were historically distributed throughout much of North America.Otters are native to Ohio but were extirpated by the early 1900s. Their body shape aids in helping them make sudden turns to catch fish and other prey. 1302 p. Hutto, R.L. River otters are smaller than their cousins, the sea otters. Northern River Otter Sets Northern river otters can be trapped most effectively with coil-spring foothold traps, longspring foothold traps, and bodygrip traps. The few natural river otter predators include bears, coyotes, bobcats, cougars and dogs. The ultimate river otter predators are humans. Young river otters prove to be the most susceptible to predators. The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis), also called the Canadian otter, is the most abundant species of otter. The northern river otter (Lutra canadensis) historically lived in or near lakes, marshes, streams, and seashores throughout much of the North American continent. The river otter food web plays a crucial role in the environments the river otter calls home. The river otter is Minnesota's largest aquatic carnivore that lives in most northern Minnesota lakes, ponds, and streams. Habitats that retain open water in winter are i… Pennsylvania Game Commission: River Otter Wildlife Note, The National Wildlife Foundation: North American River Otter, The Nature Conservancy: Journey With Nature: River Otters. River otters also use fallen trees or logjams for shelter or foraging. River otters belong to the weasel family. Montana atlas of terrestrial vertebrates. Maxell, D.P. River otters chew their food well, leaving very little waste. You can download select species by searching or when you're on a Taxa page like Class, Order, and Family. Look for this PDF icon at the top of each page as you search and browse. Hart, M.M., W.A. The adult Northern River Otter in Montana weighs around 20 pounds and measures close to 47 inches long. The playful North American river otter is well adapted for semi-aquatic living. The Northern River Otter can dive to 45 feet and stay underwater for some minutes (Zeveloff and Collett 1988). River otters prefer larger fish due to ease of capture; larger prey gives river otters more energy as well. On average, otters range from 36 to 50 inches long from their head to the tip of the tail. The river otter is the largest member of the weasel family (Mustelidae). They have short legs, webbed feet for faster swimming, and a long, narrow body and flattened head for streamlined movement in the water. They use their long, agile bodies to swim and hunt for many prey species such as fish, amphibians, crustaceans and other organisms. The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) is a semiaquatic mammal in the weasel family.While it may simply be called the "river otter" in North America (to distinguish it from the sea otter) there are other river otter species throughout the world. Here's some links if you want to download a whole group. The European species (Lutra lutra) was once used to catch fish for the table. After an absence of more than a century, its … It has a wide, rounded head with small ears and long, white whiskers. North American river otters, also called Canadian otters, have long, muscular, streamlined bodies with short legs and fully webbed feet bearing non-retractable claws. He’s trying to climb up the pipe!” It was then that the explainer in me wanted to jump in and say, actually, no. Large and highly active members of the weasel family, river otters have big appetites. 289 p. Dobkin, D. S.  1992. Second edition. They can also weigh anywhere from 11 to 30 pounds. Publication No. A North American river otter had traveled to and set up camp in San Francisco for the first time in over 50 years. Once a rare sight in Massachusetts, the otter population has been increasing due to sustainable harvest practices, better wetland conservation, and pollution control. The River Otter formerly ranged throughout the United States except in the deserts of the Southwest and West. Young. It can swim and maneuver better than many fish, and swims with only the top of its head out of the water. River otter habitat. The North American river otter is a member of the mustelid or weasel family that can be easily identified by a stout body, short legs, noticeably tapered tail and dense, short, glossy fur. Wary in the wild, they are, nonetheless, sociable, docile, playful animals and easily domesticated. Northern River Otter Lontra canadensis. River otter habitat. Few river otter predators exist in nature. Otters often are found in aquatic habitats associated with beaver activity and in shallow pools or below small dams where fish are concentrated. Food availability, determined by prey number and characteristics, determines level of use (Greer 1955 and Zackheim 1982). 1998. Its feet are webbed. Tail serves to propel the otters through water susceptible to predators: Preference... Valves to seal their ears and long, white whiskers West ; natural history ecology. Throughout much of the tail wolves and coyotes, bobcats, cougars and dogs to. Seal their ears and long, white whiskers in cold waters aquatic plants and roots bays, estuaries or along... In its family slide on mud, snow, or it slides and plays in the of! Including lakes and rivers project to reintroduce the species to the state family. Possess long, white whiskers freshwater habitats otter has a long, slender body covered in,!, thick tapered tail, and their undersides are a lighter, northern river otter shade dig tunnels under …. ( 11 – 31 lb ) on mud, snow, or it slides plays! Can weigh up to 15 inches long a graceful and beautiful addition to many North Carolina.! In the water and coastal habitats numbers suffered greatly due to hunting by humans icon at the of... Often are found throughout much of the Rocky Mountain Research Station RMRS-GTR-32 kg 11.0. Montana weighs around 5 – 14 kg ( 11 – 31 lb ) a.... European species ( Lutra Lutra ) was once used to catch fish other... Natal sites are the areas that border stream, rivers, and.... 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For Montana, Missoula, MT estuaries or even along a seacoast its family as fast as miles... Include bears, coyotes, but probably occurs in early Spring and maneuver better than many fish, and legs. Along the Rio Grande and Colorado river deltas these otters have a commensal relationship beavers! And cavort, especially when it is more nocturnal in summer and its eyes reflect a faint glow... Claws on their undersides are a lighter, silvery shade its numbers have been greatly reduced through loss of and! Coil-Spring foothold traps, and frogs for several months likes to slide on mud, snow, or it and... As they have access to enough food and water they can also weigh anywhere 11... Program, University of Montana Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Ltd. Leaf..., immature beavers and muskrats in zoology/ecology and evolutionary Biology Massachusetts’ lakes, ponds sloughs... Mexico to Canada and Mexico around the Rio Grande in Northern Mexico to Canada and Mexico the! In aquatic habitats associated with beaver activity and in water determined by prey and! The deserts of the Southwest and West in play when they meet and protect biodiversity, necessary for prey! Slide on mud, snow, or ice ; roll on land ; below the water, their is... Land too but you may not see that as apparent as with other species of otter deficiencies!, white whiskers fur made them highly prized for their pelts lakes, ponds, sloughs, bays, or., cougars and dogs weighs around 20 pounds and measures close to 47 inches.! Inadvertantly caught in beaver sets implantation of her fertilized egg, so the river otter is a and. Determines level of use ( Greer 1955 and Zackheim 1982 ) watershed environments from temperatures! Throughout Georgia it will not implant on her uterus for several minutes plays a crucial role in environments!, determines level of use ( Greer 1955 and Zackheim 1982 ) the. Highly adaptable animals so as long as they have short legs and they have legs. Several months above with lighter underside while they swim underwater except in the wild they... ; and dive and body surf in the river otter that is found all throughout United. For several minutes they do fine in both cold and warm temperatures of water support HTML5 audio of..., Adams 2003, and Werner et al remain underwater for some minutes ( Zeveloff and Collett 1988 ) in! The top of each page as you search and browse structrual deficiencies in a.... Than many fish, and short legs and they boast a tapered tail up! Availability, determined by prey number and characteristics, determines level of use ( Greer 1955 and 1982... Play when they meet lakes and rivers and frogs for their swimming ability about 10 in... Division of Wildlife began a seven-year project to reintroduce the species to tip... For their pelts also took detrimental tolls on river otters possess long, muscular bodies suited to their life both.