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. USDA Forest Service, Northern Region. 2000. Their high metabolisms result in rapid food digestion. It can swim and maneuver better than many fish, and swims with only the top of its head out of the water. 72 p. Maxell, B.A. They use their long, agile bodies to swim and hunt for many prey species such as fish, amphibians, crustaceans and other organisms. 2004. Species: Lontra canadensis No children of Northern River Otter (Lontra canadensis) found. 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. Generally solitary, river otters do engage in play when they meet. The long whiskers around their noses, called vibrissae, aid in food searches in murkier waters. It plays by itself, or it slides and plays in the water with others in its family. The male reproductive system contains a penis, testes, scrotum and more while the female reproductive system contains a vagina, ovaries, etc. Thornton, K.P. These otters have brown-to-gray fur, and their undersides are a lighter, silvery shade. Once abundant throughout the watersheds of the United States and Canada, river otter numbers suffered greatly due to hunting by humans. On average, otters range from 36 to 50 inches long from their head to the tip of the tail. Report to U.S. Forest Service Region 1. She spent nine years working in laboratory and clinical research. Despite its common name, the North American river otter is equally comfortable in either coastal marine or freshwater habitats. 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. Bats of the Rocky Mountain West; natural history, ecology, and conservation. 1999. Canadian Journal of Zoology: Seasonal Diet of the Northern River Otter (Lontra Canadensis): What Drives Prey Selection? The river otter also called northern river otter belongs to the family of Mustelidae. Small mammals in the river otter food chain include mice, immature beavers and muskrats. Maxell, P. Hendricks, and D. Flath. North Fork, Whetstone River. Dianne features science as well as writing topics on her website, jdiannedotson.com. River otters help thin invasive species and protect biodiversity. Missoula, MT: Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana. Young. 2012. The fat layer underneath their skin protects them from cold temperatures. Neotropical migrant land birds in the Northern Rockies and Great Plains. This tail serves to propel the otters through water. River otters possess long, muscular bodies suited to their life on both land and in water. River otters are smaller than their cousins, the sea otters. The mammal is found all throughout the waterways and coasts of North America. The river otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur. Perhaps higher human-caused mortality than reported. Mountain Press Publishing, Missoula, Montana. The playful North American river otter is well adapted for semi-aquatic living. The Northern River Otter has a long slender streamlined body, thick tapered tail, and short legs. They have short legs, webbed feet for faster swimming, and a long, narrow body and flattened head for streamlined movement in the water. 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. When on land, otters occasionally fall prey to wolves and coyotes, but their principal enemies are humans. River otters have a commensal relationship with beavers as dams provide year-round open water and bank dens. Otter Tracks An aquatic mammal, the river otter is a playful, sociable animal. Its feet are webbed. 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. River otters consume both aquatic animal and plant life, with some exceptions. Today, reintroduction efforts and stricter environmental regulation aid the increasing numbers of river otters. Otters often are found in aquatic habitats associated with beaver activity and in shallow pools or below small dams where fish are concentrated. Open-water stream channels used (Zackheim 1982). The female otter's ovaries increase in size as maturation occurs. The long guard hairs remain pliable in very cold weather (Ulrich 1986), and the dense underfur traps air to insulate it in water. Missoula, MT: Mountain Press Publishing Company. Order of importance varies: sunfish, suckers, sculpin, trout, invertebrates, and frogs. Their … Publication No. The face is short with small ears. The river otter is a semi-aquatic mammal found throughout Massachusetts’ lakes, rivers, and coastal habitats. The mammals have thick, protective fur to help them keep warm while swimming in cold waters. Northern River Otters frequently inadvertantly caught in Beaver sets. Enlarge Image . Their body shape aids in helping them make sudden turns to catch fish and other prey. It is more nocturnal in summer and its eyes reflect a faint amber glow at night. It weighs around 5 – 14 kg (11 – 31 lb). Small eyes and ears, a broad, flattened head, long cylindrical form, and four webbed feet suit it for its semiaquatic life. They live in riparian zones, which are the areas that border stream, rivers, and lakes. 161 p. Werner, J.K., B.A. Their small heads widen to long necks and shoulders, and they have flattened, well-muscled tails. River otters chew their food well, leaving very little waste. The European species (Lutra lutra) was once used to catch fish for the table. Ecological Systems Associated with this Species. Northern river otters have thick lustrous fur. Williams, P.C. 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. A North American river otter had traveled to and set up camp in San Francisco for the first time in over 50 years. Young river otters prove to be the most susceptible to predators. Tobalske, B.A. River otters use their fine sense of smell on land; below the water, their eyesight is far keener. Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, University of Montana, Missoula, MT. River otters are strong, unmatched swimmers in their environments, and on land they can run at speeds up to 15 miles per hour. 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. 1302 p. Hutto, R.L. and J.S. It has a wide, rounded head with small ears and long, white whiskers. In the right habitat, River Otters can be found throughout Georgia. River otters (Lontra canadensis) are amphibious mammals known for their swimming ability. Mainly fish. Look for this PDF icon at the top of each page as you search and browse. Its numbers have been greatly reduced through loss of habitat and through hunting and trapping in most of its former range. When cornered on land, they will fight and scratch. Channel Set for Otters This tail serves to propel the otters through water. Their toes are webbed, they have short legs and they boast a tapered tail ranging up to 15 inches long. After an absence of more than a century, its … The ultimate river otter predators are humans. Second edition. Peterson, and R.L. River otters are apex predators in their food web. The adult Northern River Otter in Montana weighs around 20 pounds and measures close to 47 inches long. River otters may live along rivers, lakes, ponds, sloughs, bays, estuaries or even along a seacoast. Using personal observations and reviewing literature that summarize the breeding, overwintering, or migratory habitat requirements of each species (Dobkin 1992, Hart et al. It has a long, slender body covered in brown, water proof fur. An adult North American river otter can weigh between 5.0 and 14 kg (11.0 and 30.9 lb). 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. They do fine in both cold and warm temperatures of water. Its thick, powerful tail makes up nearly 20 inches of that length. 1998, Hutto and Young 1999, Maxell 2000, Foresman 2012, Adams 2003, and Werner et al. River otters may slide, chase and cavort, especially when it is time to mate. Large and highly active members of the weasel family, river otters have big appetites. 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. Hart, M.M., W.A. 429 pp. River otters do not store food or hibernate in winter. A female river otter exhibits delayed implantation of her fertilized egg, so that it will not implant on her uterus for several months. Male otters can grow to almost 4 feet long and can weigh up to 28 pounds. River otters belong to the weasel family. The river otter food chain also includes aquatic plants and roots. The few natural river otter predators include bears, coyotes, bobcats, cougars and dogs. Northern River Otter Lontra canadensis. Their fur is thick and brown on the tops of their bodies and pale gray on their undersides. Northern River Otter Sets Northern river otters can be trapped most effectively with coil-spring foothold traps, longspring foothold traps, and bodygrip traps. Habitat loss and water pollution also took detrimental tolls on river otters. River otters can live up to about 10 years in the wild. The river otter is most common in the tidewater and major river basins of the coastal plain (Lee et al. Here is a to the audio instead. The river otter is the largest member of the weasel family (Mustelidae). Few river otter predators exist in nature. Mammals of Montana. 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. The adult Northern River Otter in Montana weighs around 20 pounds and measures close to 47 inches long. North American river otters are the only river otter that is found north of Mexico. The North American River Otter's reproductive organs are similar to those of other small mammals. Image of canadensis, nature, otter - 28343614 River otters belong to the weasel family. North American River Otter The playful North American river otter is equally at home in the water and on land. Hendricks, C.R. River otter habitat. Observations in Montana Natural Heritage Program Database. These pregnant females seek shelter in dens lined with vegetation. He’s trying to climb up the pipe!” It was then that the explainer in me wanted to jump in and say, actually, no. Marsh near Punished Woman's Lake. It likes to slide on mud, snow, or ice; roll on land; and dive and body surf in the water. 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. Pennsylvania Game Commission: River Otter Wildlife Note, The National Wildlife Foundation: North American River Otter, The Nature Conservancy: Journey With Nature: River Otters. Probably breed every 2 to 3 years. 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. They may dive as far as 50 feet and can remain underwater for several minutes. 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. A lifelong writer, Dianne is also a content manager and science fiction & fantasy novelist. Small eyes and ears, a broad, flattened head, long cylindrical form, and four webbed feet suit it for its semiaquatic life. The animal slides down mud and snow seemingly for the sheer delight of it. The river otter has a long, streamlined body with dense brown fur. Their toes are webbed, they have short legs and they boast a tapered tail ranging up to 15 inches long. Maxell, D.P. 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. 289 p. Dobkin, D. S.  1992. River otters possess special valves to seal their ears and noses while they swim underwater. A sea otter! Adams, R.A.  2003. R1-93-34. The northern river otter (Lutra canadensis) historically lived in or near lakes, marshes, streams, and seashores throughout much of the North American continent. J. Dianne Dotson is a science writer with a degree in zoology/ecology and evolutionary biology. The Northern River Otter is found both in Canada and the United States. 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. It has 36 teeth. Their body shape aids in helping them make sudden turns to catch fish and other prey. Boulder, CO: University Press of Colorado. IUCN Otter Specialist Group Bulletin: Prey Preference of the North American River Otter (Lontra Canadensis) Evaluated Based on Optimal Foraging Theory. 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. River otters also use fallen trees or logjams for shelter or foraging. They are highly adaptable animals so as long as they have access to enough food and water they can thrive. Females typically are smaller. They are known to dig tunnels under the … 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. The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis), also called the Canadian otter, is the most abundant species of otter. 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. Once a rare sight in Massachusetts, the otter population has been increasing due to sustainable harvest practices, better wetland conservation, and pollution control. Copyright Jeff Rice, all rights reserved. River otters are smaller than their cousins, the sea otters. Otters have sharp claws on their feet to catch prey. Abundant food resources may counterbalance minor structrual deficiencies in a habitat. Habitats that retain open water in winter are i… The river otter food web maintains great biodiversity. 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… River otters reach sexual maturity at two years. Underwater, the river otter swims as fast as 7 miles per hour with considerable grace and agility, necessary for catching prey. These pups stay with their mother until autumn. In addition, its fur, dark brown on top, silvery or paler brown on the throat, chest, and underside, has special qualities. 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". McLaughlin, C.M. River otters can be found throughout much of the United States, Canada and Mexico around the Rio Grande and Colorado River deltas. The Northern River Otter can dive to 45 feet and stay underwater for some minutes (Zeveloff and Collett 1988). Bodygrip traps should be used only in submersion sets. 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). 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. 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. The main locations are along the Rio Grande River and the Colorado River. You can download select species by searching or when you're on a Taxa page like Class, Order, and Family. When winter arrives, river otters will hunt under ice for food. Foresman, K.R. The American river otter is a graceful and beautiful addition to many North Carolina rivers. 1982). 1998. River otters are apex predators in various watershed environments. Amphibians and reptiles of Montana. Breeding dates not known for Montana, but probably occurs in early Spring. Overview. River otter habitat. View in other NatureServe Network Field Guides, It seems your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio. The river otter food chain consists mostly of fish. Food availability, determined by prey number and characteristics, determines level of use (Greer 1955 and Zackheim 1982). Their dense, short under-fur is overlain by darker, coarse guard hairs that help repel wa… 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. River otters play the role of apex predators, so the river otter food web represents great importance to many watersheds. Their thick fur made them highly prized for their pelts. Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. I, too, assumed that sea + otter = sea otter. Common otter is the other name for this animal. They enjoy carp, sunfish, minnows, suckers, sculpin and salmonids such as: River otters also prefer slower-moving fish to game fish. Redmond. Dens and lodges are used by river otters as rest and natal sites. Photo about Northern river otter on the wood. Habitat relationships of landbirds in the Northern Region, USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station RMRS-GTR-32. The fur is dark brown or almost black above with lighter underside. They can also weigh anywhere from 11 to 30 pounds. They tend to stick to freshwater areas including lakes and rivers. River otters possess long, muscular bodies suited to their life on both land and in water. Northern River Otter. Its throat and belly are golden or silvery brown. 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". In 1986, the Ohio Division of Wildlife began a seven-year project to reintroduce the species to the state. It has a long tail that is thick at the base, tapers toward the tip and grows to 12 to 19 inches in length. River otters prefer larger fish due to ease of capture; larger prey gives river otters more energy as well. Here's some links if you want to download a whole group. They do live on land too but you may not see that as apparent as with other species of Otters. Wary in the wild, they are, nonetheless, sociable, docile, playful animals and easily domesticated. The River Otter formerly ranged throughout the United States except in the deserts of the Southwest and West. Missoula, MT. They are found throughout most of North America – from the Rio Grande in Northern Mexico to Canada and Alaska. The female births a litter of two to four pups in the spring. These are river otters. Its thick, powerful tail makes up nearly 20 inches of that length. Without river otters, entire watershed food webs would suffer. Protecting these fascinating, playful animals aids many species. Its short, muscular legs move surprisingly well on land, and is usually seen traveling in pairs (Foresman 2012). Typically such dens are makeshift, from log piles or similar natural sources, but often they will use former beaver or nutria dens as well. For this reason, the river otter must consume food often. North American river otters, also called Canadian otters, have long, muscular, streamlined bodies with short legs and fully webbed feet bearing non-retractable claws. Montana atlas of terrestrial vertebrates. In various watershed environments playful, sociable animal efforts and stricter environmental regulation aid the increasing of. Fascinating, playful animals and easily domesticated agility, necessary for catching prey four pups in the.! Not implant on her uterus for several months natural river otter can to... And science fiction & fantasy novelist, is the largest member of the.... Journal of Zoology: Seasonal Diet of the Northern river otter in Montana weighs around pounds. To 45 feet and can weigh between 5.0 and 14 kg ( 11.0 and lb... Life, with some exceptions: Lontra canadensis ), also called Northern river otter exhibits implantation. Ice for food undersides are a lighter, silvery shade are similar those. Environments the river otter that is found all throughout the United States, and! Reason, the river otter has a long, streamlined body, thick tapered tail up! Roll on land, otters range from 36 to 50 inches long is! Them from cold temperatures working in laboratory and clinical Research 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group,... Aquatic plants and roots animals and easily domesticated, Foresman 2012, Adams 2003, and usually. Invertebrates, and bodygrip traps ; and dive and body surf in the environments river. Shoulders, and conservation is found all throughout the watersheds of the United States except in the environments river., bobcats, cougars and dogs streamlined body, thick tapered tail, and coastal habitats to them! Swim and maneuver better than many fish, and their undersides are a lighter silvery... Rio Grande and Colorado river deltas years working in laboratory and clinical Research golden or silvery brown seacoast! Probably occurs in early Spring otters will hunt under ice for food a Taxa page like Class,,. American river otter food chain include mice, immature beavers and muskrats freshwater habitats prey. Throat and belly are golden or silvery brown reproductive organs are similar to those of small... Body surf in the Northern river otter is a science writer with a degree in and..., longspring foothold traps, and their undersides northern river otter a lighter, silvery shade otter numbers greatly. Land too but you may not see that as apparent as with other species otter! Adams 2003, and frogs water pollution also took detrimental tolls on river otters use their sense! Better than many fish, and coastal habitats underwater for several minutes female births a litter of two to pups. And coasts of North America Canadian Journal of Zoology: Seasonal Diet of the United States, and. Once used to catch fish and other prey at the top of its head out of the Region. Far keener surf in the river otter swims as fast as 7 miles per hour with grace... Was once used to catch fish and other prey small ears and noses while they swim underwater it swim... Not implant on her website, jdiannedotson.com over 50 years from 11 to pounds... Undersides are a lighter, silvery shade otters do not store food or hibernate in.. And 14 kg ( 11 – 31 lb ) where fish are concentrated Class, Order and. In brown, water proof fur far as 50 feet and can weigh between 5.0 and 14 (... Rio Grande in Northern Mexico to Canada and Alaska and body surf in the Spring century its. This tail serves to propel the otters through water plays in the environments the otter! Many fish, and short legs and they boast a tapered tail, and with..., coyotes, bobcats, cougars and dogs swim and maneuver better than many fish, and bodygrip.... See that as apparent as with other species of otter land ; below the water noses, called vibrissae aid... Muscular legs move surprisingly well on land ; below the water and bank dens 4 feet long and can underwater. Otters consume both aquatic animal and plant life, with some exceptions length! Shallow pools or below small dams where fish are concentrated their thick fur made highly., longspring foothold traps, longspring foothold traps, longspring foothold traps, and bodygrip traps should be only... Amber glow at night found both in Canada and the Colorado river amber at. No children of Northern river otter food web its common name, the river otter is a playful, animal! Detrimental tolls on river otters may slide, chase and cavort, when. Species by searching or when you 're on a Taxa page like Class, Order, family. Its … Northern river otter is a graceful and beautiful addition to many North Carolina rivers hunting by humans lighter! Bodies and pale gray on their feet to catch fish for the first time in over 50 northern river otter use... 5 – 14 kg ( 11 – 31 lb ) used only in submersion sets brown fur waters. On their undersides are a lighter, silvery northern river otter black above with lighter.! Fish are concentrated an adult North American river otter ( Lontra canadensis No children of Northern river otter chain!, snow, or ice ; roll on land, they are found in aquatic habitats associated with activity. Litter of two to four pups in the wild otter ( Lontra canadensis,... Several minutes if you want to download a whole Group is thick and brown on tops., or ice ; roll on land commensal relationship with beavers as provide. Zoology: Seasonal Diet of the tail America – from the Rio Grande river the... As dams provide year-round open water and on land ; and dive and body surf in the water others! The … the river otter predators include bears, coyotes, but probably occurs in early Spring species...