North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis) Description & Range: The river otter is the largest member of the weasel family (Mustelidae). Their range extends through most of North America from Alaska and northern Canada down to southern Florida. Currently this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today remain stable. Today, a large number of otters are found in the United States and Canada. In Canada, they can be found in every province and territory except Prince Edward Island, where they appear to be extirpated. Search, discover, and learn about wildlife. North American River otters may be commonly found throughout much of sub-Arctic Canada, Alaska, and, within the contiguous United States, in the Pacific Northwest and along the Atlantic Coast and Gulf of Mexico. On land a river otter can run at speeds of up to 15 miles (24 kilometers) an hour—they can slide even faster. Its fur ranges in color from white and gray to brown and black. North American river otter conservation. They prefer bog lakes with banked shores containing semi aquatic mammal burrows and lakes with Beaver lodges. Typical habitats include lakes, rivers, marshes, and coastal shorelines. Gestation is for two months, but young may be produced up to a year after breeding due to delayed implantation. A long, strong tail helps propels the otter through the water. In the wild, their average life span is 8 or 9 years. The playful North American river otter is equally at home in the water and on land. They have a very high metabolism, so they need to eat frequently. Giant otters (genus Pteronura) are found mainly in slow-moving rivers and creeks within forests, swamps, and mars… The Northern River Otter can dive to 45 feet and stay underwater for some minutes (Zeveloff and Collett 1988). These animals have boundless energy due to their very high metabolism. You can commonly find them living in beaver dams. River otters possess long, muscular bodies suited to their life on both land and in water. The playful North American river otter is well adapted for semi-aquatic living. It makes its home in a burrow near the water's edge, and can thrive in river, lake, swamp, or estuary ecosystems. Historically, these animals were hunted for their coats. The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) was historically distributed throughout most major drainages in the continental United States and Canada, from the arctic in Alaska south to Texas and as far east as Florida. However, it is sensitive to pollution, and will disappear from tainted areas. The Northern River Otter is found both in Canada and the United States. North American river otters seem to be sensitive to pollution and disappear from areas with polluted waters. They are known to dig tunnels under the … Human contact is influencing this otter’s aquatic habitats. Most of these problems are due to water pollution. Mothers will catch and release prey to teach their young how to forage and to catch food items. In 4 seconds, you will be redirected to nwfactionfund.org, the site of the National Wildlife Action Fund, a 501(c)(4) organization. Fur trapping in the 19th century brought river otter populations to very low populations, but they have returned to the healthy waterways and lakes of the Pacific Northwest. They have also been known to eat aquatic plants and to prey on other small mammals, such as muskrats or rabbits. North American river otter is important predator of fish and aquatic invertebrates. If fish numbers start to decrease or they move elsewhere as a result of climate change, this species would lose its major food source. In water, especially along the Gulf Coast, crocodilian reptiles are real threats. North American otters are polygynous, with males often breeding with several females, probably ones whose home ranges overlap theirs. Their fur is dark brown over much of the body, and lighter brown on the belly and face. The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis), also called the Canadian otter, is the most abundant species of otter.They are found throughout most of North America – from the Rio Grande in Northern Mexico to Canada and Alaska. Summary 4 Lontra canadensis (North American otter) is a semiaquatic mammal endemic to the North America. The Internet connection is missing right now, but you're able to browse previously opened pages offline. North American river otters live near permanent watersheds throughout North America, from Alaska and northern Canada south to the Gulf of Mexico. They have been observed wrestling, chasing other otters, diving for rocks and clamshells, swimming with pebbles or other small objects balanced on their noses, toying with live prey and sliding down mud banks or snow banks. 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. North American River Otter . Article below from Wikipedia entry: The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis), also known as the northern river otter or the common otter, is a semiaquatic mammal endemic to the North American continent found in and along its waterways and coasts.An adult river otter can weigh between 5.0 and 14 kg (11.0 and 31 lb). Their toes are webbed, they have short legs and they boast a tapered tail ranging up to 15 inches long. They tend to stick to freshwater areas including lakes and rivers. They live across the United States and Canada near rivers, lakes, marshes, swamps, and estuaries. It is much easier to list the habitats that river otters don’t live in than to list the areas they do. The river otter has fur ranging from brown to velvety black and a long streamlined body (picture 1). Being aquatic in nature, this species is confined to places that have permanent water. They are able to live in a variety of different habitats, including rivers, lakes and large creeks. Births take place from November to May, peaking in March and April. The National Wildlife Federation is providing resources to help families and caregivers across the country provide meaningful educational opportunities and safe outdoor experiences for children during these incredibly difficult times. River otter dens are along the water in abandoned burrows or empty hollows. For the majority of the year, this animal is most active during the period dusk until dawn, but in winter, it may more commonly be seen during the day. Adults generally give birth to between one and three pups, which are blind and helpless when born. Characteristics: The features of North American river otters allow them to succeed both on land and in the water. The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) can weigh 20-30 pounds, and its slender, cylindrical body can reach 2-3 feet in length, not including the tail, which can be 1-1.5 feet long. Breeding is from December to April: late winter or early in spring. They can thrive in any water habitat, such as ponds, marshes, lakes, rivers, and estuaries—in cold, warm, or even high-elevation areas—as long as the habitat provides adequate food. River otters are found throughout most of North America from the Rio Grande to Canada and Alaska, except for in arid deserts and the treeless Arctic. The otters have fur when they are born, but are otherwise helpless. Least Concern (IUCN) Even with stable populations the North American River Otter still needs help keeping their populations safe. River otters can tolerate a variety of environments, including cold and warmer latitudes and high elevations. The North American river otters are carnivores, they eat mainly aquatic animals such as amphibians, turtles, fish, crayfish, crabs, and other species of invertebrates. Birthing and the raising of young takes place in a den near water. Their body shape aids in helping them make sudden turns to catch fish and other prey. Males are generally larger than females. They are highly adaptable animals so as long as they have access to enough food and water they can thrive. They have short, powerful legs that help them to paddle in the water and gallop on land. They are very flexible and can make sharp, sudden turns that help them catch fish. - Otters play more than most wild animals. River otters can be found throughout North America. North American River Otter Lontra canadensis Tag - You’re It! Their playful snow and mud sliding, tail chasing, water play, and snow burrowing activities also serve other purposes—they help strengthen social bonds and let young otters practice hunting techniques. However habitat destruction and water pollution still puts these animals at great risk, especially because they are so specialized. They also scent mark using scent glands near the base of their tails that produce a strong, musky odor. The Buttonwood Park Zoo participates in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan (SSP) for North American River Otters. They are also threatened by the destruction of their habitat. This species’ social structure is very variable, as some animals are solitary, while others live in family groups of an adult female with her offspring, or sometimes in large groups of just adult males. They are playful and agile athletes, sliding down hills of mud or snow to land with a splash in the water. They can stay underwater for as many as eight minutes. North American river otters have long whiskers, which they use to detect prey in dark or cloudy water, and clawed feet for grasping onto slippery prey. River otters breed in late winter or early spring. North American River Otter on The IUCN Red List site -, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_river_otter, http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/12302/0. Distribution. Their … River otters, members of the weasel family, can run on land as well as swim. While North American River otters are rather high up on the food chain, they do in fact have several natural predators. The Basics. 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. Although commonly called a "river otter", the North American river otter is found in a wide variety of aquatic habitats, both freshwater and coastal marine, including lakes, rivers, inland wetlands, coastal shorelines, marshes, and estuaries. Basically, they can be found anywhere they have easy access to both land and water. They can live eight to nine years in the wild but have lived up to 21 years in captivity. Birds and birds’ eggs, as well as small terrestrial mammals may also be eaten. The only types of ecosystems in which otters cannot be found are deserts, mountains, and polar regions. River otters (genus Lutra) inhabit all types of inland waterways, as well as estuaries and marine coves. Uniting all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in a rapidly changing world, Inspire a lifelong connection with wildlife and wild places through our children's publications, products, and activities, National Wildlife Federation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Pups will open their eyes when they are one month old and are weaned when about 3 months old, starting to leave their birth range from 6 months to the age of one year. North American river otters build dens in the burrows of other mammals, in natural hollows, such as under a log, or in river banks. The dens have entrances underwater so they can be easily accessed from the water. Habitat: Found in streams, lakes, reservoirs, wetlands and along marine coasts that have vegetation or rock piles along the banks. A river otter can grow three to four feet (0.9 to 1.2 meters) long including its tail and weigh between 11 and 30 pounds (5 to 14 kilograms). Their aquatic habitats can be both marine and fresh water: streams, rivers, lakes, ponds and marshes. Groups typically travel and hunt together, and also use the same resting site and den. They have short legs, webbed feet for faster swimming, and a long, narrow body and flattened head for streamlined movement in the water. We're on the ground in seven regions across the country, collaborating with 53 state and territory affiliates to reverse the crisis and ensure wildlife thrive. Northern American otters are able to close their nostrils in order to keep water out when diving for a long time. They are found living in rivers, lakes, ponds, small streams, marshes, and other inland wetlands. The North American river otter occurs in much of Canada and the United States, except for portions of the Southwest, and in Mexico in the Rio Grande and Colorado River delta areas. They live in riparian zones, often in the same areas as beavers. A range of vocalizations is also used to communicate, the most common sound amongst a group being a low frequency noise that sounds like chuckling, while loud snorts are often used for signaling potential danger. They were extirpated from portions of their range, but conservation and reintroduction efforts are helping populations to recover. They reach reproductive maturity at the age of 2 to 3 years. River otters communicate with whistles, yelps, growls, and screams, as well as touch and body posture. North American River Otter Habitat. It has a long, slender body covered in brown, water proof fur. Range and 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. Its short, muscular legs move surprisingly well on land, and is usually seen traveling in pairs (Foresman 2012). River otters generally live alone or in small social groups. River otters are smaller than their cousins, the sea otters. Otters have the thickest fur of any mammal, having as many as 850,000 hairs per square inch. It can tolerate a great range of temperature and elevations. North American river otters have been almost eliminated across their native range by the loss of fitting habitat combined with the pressures of hunting/trapping for the fur trade. They can thrive in any water habitat, such as ponds, marshes, lakes, rivers, and estuaries—in cold, warm, or even high-elevation areas—as long as the habitat provides adequate food. Many "play" activities serve a purpose, such as strengthening social bonds, practicing hunting techniques, and scent marking. These animals inhabit a variety of diverse environments, from saltwater estuaries to freshwater lakes, rivers, marshes and streams North American River Otter Wikipedia article -, 2. North American river otters live in streams, marshes and back waterways surrounding lakes, especially the Great Lakes. Weighing between 5.0 and 14 kg (11.0 and 31 lb). Its fur ranges in color from white and gray to brown and black. A female gives birth to 1 to 6 young in each litter, averaging 2 to 3. Bobcats, alligators, coyotes, raptors, and other large predators will sometimes prey on North American river otters. Most species are entirely dependent on aquatic habitats for food. River otters … Habitat and Range: Throughout Canada and northern United Stated down through the east coast to Florida. In captivity, North American river otters can live into their 20s. Otters are usually found no more than a few hundred meters from water. They are also found in similar areas near certain parts of the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. Water quality is lowered, water is depleted, timber and other vegetation is cleared and becomes scarce. River otters eat a variety of aquatic wildlife, such as fish, crayfish, crabs, frogs, birds’ eggs, birds and reptiles such as turtles. Family Life. Terrestrial predators of otters include black bears and a variety of Feline and Canine species, domestic… North American river otters can close their nostrils to keep water out during long dives. They do live on land too but you may not see that as apparent as with other species of Otters. Habitat. More than one-third of U.S. fish and wildlife species are at risk of extinction in the coming decades. The tail makes up about a third of their total length. This means that they have to eat a lot during the day. It is more nocturnal in summer and its eyes reflect a faint amber glow at night. They do fine in both cold and warm temperatures of water. In southern Chile the marine otter is found almost exclusively along exposed rocky seashores; farther north it may inhabit estuaries and fresh water. North American otters are able to dive as deep as 60 feet. River otters eat fish, and fish populations are threatened by climate change from rising sea levels. North American river otters are the only river otter that is found north of Mexico. 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