72-656: L. canadensis L. felina L. longicaudis L. provocax † L. weiri Lontra is a genus of otters from the Americas . These species were previously included in the genus Lutra , together with the Eurasian otter , but they have now been moved to a separate genus. The genus comprises four living and one known fossil species: [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] This article about
144-630: A carnivoran is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Lontra canadensis The North American river otter ( Lontra canadensis ), also known as the northern river otter and river otter , is a semiaquatic mammal that lives only on the North American continent throughout most of Canada , along the coasts of the United States and its inland waterways. An adult North American river otter can weigh between 5.0 and 14 kg (11.0 and 30.9 lb). The river otter
216-501: 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. It can tolerate a great range of temperature and elevations. Aquatic life ties North American river otters almost exclusively to permanent watersheds. Their main requirements are a steady food supply and easy access to
288-511: A British man in his 60s during an early morning walk in Singapore Botanic Gardens . Despite weighing over 200 pounds, he was trampled and bitten and could not stand up without help from a nearby rescuer. The man speculated that another runner might have stepped on one of the animals earlier, and wished that there could be more lighting installed at that location. Norse mythology tells of the dwarf Ótr habitually taking
360-421: A body of water. However, it is sensitive to pollution, and will disappear from tainted areas. Like other otters, the North American river otter lives in a holt, or den, constructed in the burrows of other animals, or in natural hollows, such as under a log or in river banks. An entrance, which may be under water or above ground, leads to a nest chamber lined with leaves, grass, moss, bark, and hair. The diet of
432-426: A consequence of vision adapted for underwater sight . North American river otters have a transparent inner eyelid (called a nictitating membrane ) to protect their eyes while swimming. Most mustelids, including otters, have 36 specialized teeth, including sharp canines and carnassials that inflict lethal bites to prey. Also, North American river otters have large molars used for crushing hard objects, such as
504-566: A high metabolic rate for warmth. Otter-human interactions have varied over time, with otters being hunted for their pelts , used in fishing practices in southern Bangladesh, and occasionally attacking humans, though such incidents are rare and often a result of provocation. Otters hold a place in various cultures' mythology and religion, symbolizing different attributes and stories, from Norse mythology to Native American totems and Asian folklore, where they are sometimes believed to possess shapeshifting abilities. The word otter derives from
576-804: A localized threat to otter populations, especially in coastal areas. Water pollution and other diminution of aquatic and wetland habitats may limit distribution and pose long-term threats if the enforcement of water quality standards is not upheld. Acid drainage from coal mines is a persistent water quality issue in some areas, as it eliminates otter prey. This dilemma prevents, and consequently inhibits, recolonization or growth of North American river otter populations. Recently, long-term genetic consequences of reintroduction projects on remnant North American river otter populations has been discussed. Similarly, many perceived threats to North American river otters, such as pollution and habitat alterations, have not been rigorously evaluated. Little effort has gone into assessing
648-552: A major dietary component. Mammals preyed upon by North American river otters are characteristically small or are a type species found in riparian zones . The few occurrences of mammals found in the North American river otter's diet include remains of the muskrat ( Ondatra zibethicus ); meadow vole ( Microtus pennsylvanicus ); eastern cottontail ( Sylvilagus floridanus ); and snowshoe hare ( Lepus americanus ). Records of North American otters preying upon North American beavers ( Castor canadensis ) vary; it has been reported in
720-585: A migration across the Bering Land Bridge , which existed off and on between 1.8 million and 10,000 years ago. The otters migrated to North America and southwards again across the Panamanian Land Bridge , which formed 3 Mya. Listed alphabetically: The North American river otter has long and thin whiskers that are used to detect prey in dark waters. An average adult male weighs about 11.3 kilograms (25 lb) against
792-614: A river otter nicknamed Sutro Sam took up residence around the former site of the Sutro Baths in San Francisco , the first river otter sighting in that city since the 1950s. North American river otters occupy all Canadian provinces and territories, except, until recently, Prince Edward Island . Otters have recently began re-establishing themselves on Prince Edward Island. Historical records indicate North American river otters were once populous throughout most major drainages in
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#1732781037861864-573: A rocky cairn, more common in Scotland. It is lined with moss and grass. After one month, the pup can leave the holt and after two months, it is able to swim. The pup lives with its family for approximately one year. Otters live up to 16 years; they are by nature playful, and frolic in the water with their pups. Its usual source of food is fish, and further downriver, eels, but it may sample frogs and birds. Otters have long, slim bodies and relatively short limbs. Their most striking anatomical features are
936-933: A significant component of their diets. They are less likely to be prey for the North American river otters since they are fast-swimming and can find good escape cover. However, river otters will prey on trout, pike, walleye ( Sander vitreus vitreus ), salmon ( Oncorhynchus spp.), and other game fish during spawning . Otters have been found to consume invasive Asian carp. Adult North American river otters are capable of consuming 1 to 1.5 kilograms (2.2 to 3.3 lb) of fish per day. A study conducted on captive otters revealed they preferred larger fish, ranging from 15 to 17 centimeters (5.9 to 6.7 in), more than smaller fish, ranging from 8 to 10 centimeters (3.1 to 3.9 in), and they had difficulty catching fish species less than 10 centimeters (3.9 in) or larger than 17 centimeters (6.7 in). Otters are known to take larger fish on land to eat, whereas smaller fish are consumed in
1008-440: A study conducted in a central California marshland indicated crayfish formed nearly 100% of the river otter's diet at certain times of the year. However, North American river otters, as foragers, will immediately take advantage of other prey when readily obtainable. Other prey consumed by North American river otters includes fruits , aquatic plants , reptiles , amphibians , birds (most especially moulting ducks which render
1080-672: A varied life cycle with a gestation period of about 60–86 days, and offspring typically stay with their family for a year. They can live up to 16 years, with their diet mainly consisting of fish and sometimes frogs , birds, or shellfish , depending on the species. Otters are distinguished by their long, slim bodies, powerful webbed feet for swimming, and their dense fur, which keeps them warm and buoyant in water. They are playful animals, engaging in activities like sliding into water on natural slides and playing with stones. There are 13 known species of otters, ranging in size and habitat preferences, with some species adapted to cold waters requiring
1152-412: A variety of common names, including North American river otter, northern river otter, common otter and, simply, river otter. Other documented common names are American otter, Canada otter, Canadian otter, fish otter, land otter, nearctic river otter, and Prince of Wales otter. The North American river otter was first classified in the genus Lutra . Lutra was the early European name (from Latin), and
1224-671: Is a branch of the Mustelidae family , which includes weasels , badgers , mink , and wolverines , among other animals. Otters' habitats include dens known as holts or couches, with their social structure described by terms such as dogs or boars for males, bitches or sows for females, and pups or cubs for offspring. Groups of otters can be referred to as a bevy, family, lodge, romp, or raft when in water, indicating their social and playful characteristics. Otters are known for their distinct feces, termed spraints , which can vary in smell from freshly mown hay to putrefied fish. Otters exhibit
1296-772: Is closely controlled. The North American river otter is considered a species of least concern according to the IUCN Red List , as it is not currently declining at a rate sufficient for a threat category. By the early 1900s, North American river otter populations had declined throughout large portions of their historic range in North America. However, improvements in water quality (through enactment of clean water regulations) and furbearer management techniques have permitted river otters to regain portions of their range in many areas. Reintroduction projects have been particularly valuable in restoring populations in many areas of
1368-465: Is due to hunting to supply the demand for skins. For many generations, fishermen in southern Bangladesh have bred smooth-coated otters and used them to chase fish into their nets. Once a widespread practice, passed down from father to son throughout many communities in Asia, this traditional use of domesticated wild animals is still in practice in the district of Narail , Bangladesh. A 2011 review by
1440-528: Is held to be a clean animal belonging to Ahura Mazda in Zoroastrian belief, and taboo to kill. In popular Korean mythology, it is told that people who see an otter ( soodal ) will attract 'rain clouds' for the rest of their lives. In the Buddhist Jataka tales, The Otters and The Wolf, two otters agreed to let a wolf settle their dispute in dividing their caught fish but it was taken away by
1512-425: Is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur. The North American river otter, a member of the subfamily Lutrinae in the weasel family (Mustelidae), is equally versatile in the water and on land. It establishes a burrow close to the water's edge in river, lake, swamp, coastal shoreline, tidal flat, or estuary ecosystems. The den typically has many tunnel openings, one of which generally allows
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#17327810378611584-931: Is warranted prior to reintroduction of otters to a watershed. A North American river otter can have a territory as large as 78 square kilometres (30 sq mi). However, their usual territory is about 3 to 15 square miles (7.8 to 38.8 km ). This can change during mating seasons, but that topic is up for debate. Although North American river otters are known to be social animals, they can also survive by themselves. Their bodies allow them to avoid predators quite effectively since they can dive, burrow, twist, and turn their bodies for evasive techniques, enabling them to survive independently. North American river otters famously love to play together, which creates strong social bonds, improves hunting skills, and marks territory. North American river otters are not aggressively territorial, but frequently scent-mark certain spots to make their presence known. Delayed implantation distinguishes
1656-473: The American coot ( Fulica americana ). Although they consume birds, North American river otters do not feed on bird eggs. Aquatic invertebrates have been recognized as an integral part of the North American river otter's diet. Otters consume more aquatic insects in the summer as the populations increase and specific life stages heighten their susceptibility. Most aquatic invertebrates preyed upon by
1728-589: The Midwestern United States . Since their reintroduction to Kentucky in the early 1990s, the otters have recovered to the point that a trapping season was implemented in 2006, and the species is now found in all of the state's major waterways. In 2010, the Colorado Department of Wildlife reported the river otter, reintroduced to the state in the 1980s, was "thriving" and recommended its protection status be reconsidered. In late 2012,
1800-644: The Miocene epoch 23.03 to 5.33 million years ago ( Mya ), which is "much earlier" than indicated in the fossil record. Fossils of a giant otter dating back 3.5 Mya (during the Pliocene ) have been found in the US Midwest; however, fossils of the modern river otter did not appear in North America until about 1.9 Mya. The New World river otters originated from the Old World river otters following
1872-788: The Old English word otor or oter . This and cognate words in other Indo-European languages ultimately stem from the Proto-Indo-European root *wódr̥ , which also gave rise to the English word "water". An otter's den is called a holt, or couch. Male otters are called dogs or boars; females are called bitches or sows; and their offspring are called pups or cubs. The collective nouns for otters are bevy, family, lodge, romp (being descriptive of their often playful nature), or, when in water, raft. The feces of otters are typically identified by their distinctive aroma,
1944-876: The Pacific coast in North America. The species is also present throughout Alaska, including the Aleutian Islands , and the north slope of the Brooks Range . However, urbanization and pollution has resulted in a reduction in the otters' range in the United States. River otters are now absent or rare in Arizona, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee. Reintroduction projects have expanded their distribution in recent years, in West Virginia, and especially in
2016-444: The giant otter and sea otter are the largest. They have very soft, insulated underfur, which is protected by an outer layer of long guard hairs . This traps a layer of air which keeps them dry, warm, and somewhat buoyant under water. Several otter species live in cold waters and have high metabolic rates to help keep them warm. Eurasian otters must eat 15% of their body weight each day, and sea otters 20 to 25%, depending on
2088-455: The specific epithet canadensis means "of Canada". In a new classification, the species is called Lontra canadensis , where the genus Lontra includes all the New World river otters. Molecular biological techniques have been used to determine when the river otter and the giant otter ( Pteronura brasiliensis ) of South America diverged. These analyses suggest they diverged in
2160-528: The 1700s, although it may have begun well before then. Early hunting methods included darts, arrows, nets and snares but later, traps were set on land and guns used. There has been a long history of otter pelts being worn around the world. In China it was standard for the royalty to wear robes made from them. People that were financially high in status also wore them. The tails of otters were often made into items for men to wear. These included hats and belts. Even some types of mittens for children have been made from
2232-1036: The Arctic region. Threats to North American river otter populations in North America vary regionally. North American river otter inhabitation is affected by type, distribution, and density of aquatic habitats and characteristics of human activities. Preceding the settlement of North America by Europeans, North American river otters were prevalent among aquatic habitats throughout most of the continent. Trapping, loss or degradation of aquatic habitats through filling of wetlands, and development of coal, oil, gas, tanning, timber, and other industries, resulted in local extinctions or population declines in North American river otter populations in many areas. In 1980, an examination conducted on U.S. river otter populations determined they were locally extinct in 11 states, and lost significant population in 9 other states. The most severe population declines occurred in interior regions where fewer aquatic habitats supported fewer otter populations. Although
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2304-753: The IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group showed that otter attacks reported between 1875 and 2010 occurred most often in Florida , where human and otter populations have substantially increased since 2000, with the majority involving the North American otter. At least 42 instances of attack were found, including one resulting in death and another case of serious injury. Attacking otters had rabies in 36% of anecdotal reports. 80% of otter bite victims do not seek medical treatment. Animal welfare groups say that, unless threatened, otters rarely attack humans. In November 2021, about 20 otters ambushed
2376-511: The North American River otters is extensive and mostly consists of fish, frogs, crayfish, turtles, insects and some small mammals. They are known to hunt in pairs or alone and can hunt on both land and in the water. “The North American river otter ( Lontra canadensis ) is a predator adapted to hunting in water, feeding on aquatic and semi-aquatic animals. The vulnerability and seasonal availability of prey animals primarily determines
2448-433: The North American river otter can be deduced by analyzing either stool obtained in the field, or gut contents removed from trapped otters. Fish are the primary component of the North American river otter's diet throughout the year. Every study done on the food habits of the North American river otter has identified varying fish species as being the primary component of its diet. For instance, an Alberta, Canada study involved
2520-765: The North American river otter during the spring and summer as a result of breeding activity, appropriate temperatures, and water supply for the prey. Waterfowl , rails , and some colonial nesting birds are preyed upon by North American river otters in various areas. Susceptibility of these species is greatest during the summer (when waterfowl broods are vulnerable) and autumn. The North American river otters have also been known to catch and consume moulting American wigeon ( Mareca americana ) and green-winged teal ( Anas crecca ). Other species of birds found within their diets include: northern pintail ( Anas carolinensis ); mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos ); canvasback ( Aythya valisineria ); ruddy duck ( Oxyura jamaicensis ); and
2592-540: The North American river otter has adapted to hunting in water, and eats aquatic and semiaquatic animals. The vulnerability and seasonal availability of prey animals mainly governs its food habits and prey choices. This availability is influenced by the following factors: detectability and mobility of the prey, habitat availability for the various prey species, environmental factors, such as water depth and temperature, and seasonal changes in prey supply and distribution in correspondence with otter foraging habitat. The diet of
2664-625: The North American river otter's diet. A study conducted on North American river otters in a southwestern Arkansas swamp identified a correlation between crayfish consumption, fish consumption, and water levels. During the winter and spring, when the water levels were higher, North American river otters had a greater tendency to prey upon crayfish (73% of scats had crayfish remains) rather than fish. However, when water levels are lower, crayfish will seek out shelter while fish become more highly concentrated and susceptible to predation. Therefore, fish are more vulnerable to being preyed upon by otters because
2736-497: The North American river otters' diets are those that are often plentiful and found in large schools: sunfish ( Lepomis spp.); darters ( Etheostoma spp.); and perches ( Perca spp.). Bottom-dwelling species, which have the tendency to remain immobile until a predator is very close, are susceptible to North American river otters. These include Central mudminnows ( Umbra limi ) and sculpins ( Cottus spp.). Game fish, such as trout (Salmonidae) and pike (Esocidae), are not
2808-621: The Pacific Coast, including the seashore and inland streams and lakes. However, river otters were scarce or absent in areas of Southern California such as the chaparral and oak woodlands and Mojave Desert seasonal waterway regions, or in the xeric shrubland regions in New Mexico, Texas, Nevada, and Colorado. In Mexico, North American river otters lived in the Rio Grande and Colorado River Deltas . Although commonly called
2880-425: The United States. However, North American river otters remain rare or absent in the southwestern United States. Water quality and development inhibit recovery of populations in some areas. The species is widely distributed throughout its range. In many places, the populations have re-established themselves because of conservation initiatives. Reintroduction of river otters may present a problem in that it may contaminate
2952-422: The birds flightless and thus makes them easier to capture), aquatic insects , small mammals , and mollusks . North American river otters are not scavengers; they avoid consuming carrion (dead animals). North American river otters do not generally handle prey of a large size relative to themselves but there are occasions where they have been observed ambushing and killing adult common snapping turtles while
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3024-449: The collection and analysis of 1,191 samples of North American river otter scat (feces) collected during each season. Fish remnants were found in 91.9% of the samples. Moreover, a western Oregon study revealed fish remains were present in 80% of the 103 digestive tracts examined. Crustaceans ( crayfish ), where regionally available, are the second-most important prey for otters. Crustaceans may even be consumed more than fish. For example,
3096-502: The continental United States and Canada prior to European settlement. North America's largest North American river otter populations were found in areas with an abundance and diversity of aquatic habitats, such as coastal marshes, the Great Lakes region, and glaciated areas of New England . In addition, riverine habitats in interior regions supported smaller otter populations. The North American river otter existed on all parts of
3168-816: The crayfish have become more difficult to obtain. Amphibians, where regionally accessible, have been found in the North American river otter's diet during the spring and summer months, as indicated in many of the food habit studies. The most common amphibians and reptiles recognized were frogs ( Rana and Hyla ). Specific species of reptiles and amphibians prey include: boreal chorus frogs ( Pseudacris maculata ); Canadian toads ( Bufo hemiophrys ); wood frogs ( Rana sylvatica ); American bullfrogs ( Rana catesbeiana ); green frogs ( Rana clamitans ); northwestern salamanders ( Ambystoma gracile ); California giant salamander ( Dicamptodon ensatus ); rough-skinned newt ( Taricha granulosa ); and garter snakes ( Thamnophis ). Amphibians and reptiles are more obtainable by
3240-650: The cunning wolf. In Japanese, otters are called "kawauso" ( 獺、川獺 ). In Japanese folklore, they fool humans in the same way as foxes ( kitsune ) and tanuki . In the Noto region , Ishikawa Prefecture , there are stories where they shapeshift into beautiful women or children wearing checker-patterned clothing. If a human attempts to speak to one, they will answer "oraya" and then answer "araya," and if anybody asks them anything, they say cryptic things like "kawai." There are darker stories, such as one from Kaga Province (now Ishikawa Prefecture ) in which an otter that lives in
3312-443: The distribution became reduced in some regions of southern Canada, the only province-wide extinction occurred on Prince Edward Island . During the 1970s, improvements in natural resource management techniques emerged, along with increased concerns about North American river otter population declines in North America. Consequently, many wildlife management agencies developed strategies to restore or enhance otter populations, including
3384-405: The effects of environmental pollution , which is a likely factor in the continued decline of their numbers. A number of reintroduction projects have been initiated to help halt the reduction in the overall population. The North American river otter was first described by German naturalist Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber in 1777. The mammal was identified as a species of otter and has
3456-636: The father, until the following spring. Prior to the arrival of the next litter, the North American river otter yearlings venture out in search of their own home ranges. The North American river otter is found throughout North America, inhabiting inland waterways and coastal areas in Canada, the Pacific Northwest , the Atlantic states , and the Gulf of Mexico . They also inhabit the forested regions of
3528-426: The female's average of 8.3 kg (18 lb). Its body length ranges from 66 to 107 cm (26 to 42 in). About one-third of the animal's total length consists of a long, tapered tail. Tail lengths range from 30 to 50 centimetres (12 to 20 in). Large male North American river otters can exceed a weight of 15 kilograms (33 lb). It differs from the Eurasian otter by its longer neck, narrower visage,
3600-667: The food habits and prey preference of the river otter.” North American river otters consume an extensive assortment of fish species ranging in size from 2 to 50 centimeters (0.79 to 19.69 in) that impart sufficient caloric intake for a minute amount of energy expenditure. North American river otters generally feed on prey that is in larger supply and easier to catch. As a result, slow-swimming fish are consumed more often than game fishes when both are equally available. Slow-moving species include suckers ( Catostomidae ), catfish , sunfish and bass ( Centrarchidae ), daces, carp , and shiners ( Cyprinidae ). For instance, Catostomidae are
3672-517: The form of an otter. The myth of "Otter's Ransom" is the starting point of the Volsunga saga . In Irish mythology , the character Lí Ban was turned from a woman into a mermaid, half human and half salmon, and given three hundred years of life to roam the oceans. Her lapdog assumed the form of an otter and shared her prolonged lifetime and her extensive wanderings. In some Native American cultures, otters are considered totem animals . The otter
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#17327810378613744-677: The fur of otters. Otters have also been hunted using dogs, especially the otterhound . From 1958 to 1963, the 11 otter hunts in England and Wales killed 1,065 otters between them. In such hunts, the hunters notched their poles after every kill. The prized trophy that hunters would take from the otters was the baculum , which would be worn as a tie-pin . Traffic (the wildlife trade monitoring network) reported that otters are at serious risk in Southeast Asia and have disappeared from parts of their former range. This decline in populations
3816-496: The genetic structure of the native population. Otter Aonyx Enhydra Hydrictis Lontra Lutra Lutrogale Pteronura † Enhydriodon † Algarolutra † Cyrnaonyx † Megalenhydris † Sardolutra † Siamogale † Teruelictis † Satherium † Enhydritherium Otters are carnivorous mammals in the subfamily Lutrinae . The 13 extant otter species are all semiaquatic , aquatic , or marine . Lutrinae
3888-668: The large turtles (which are roughly equal in average body weight to a North American river otter) are hibernating. Remains of the much larger North American beaver have been found in North American river otter scat in some regions, although most otter dietary studies in areas where otters and beaver live near each other do not show them to be regular predators of beavers (despite the claims of fur-trappers that otters frequently hunt beavers) and perhaps only young beaver kits may be attacked. When left unchecked, though, otters can be significant predators under certain circumstances (e.g. in hatcheries or other fish culture facilities). Likewise,
3960-545: The otter to enter and exit the body of water. Female North American river otters give birth in these burrows, producing litters of one to six young. North American river otters, like most predators, prey upon the most readily accessible species. Fish is a favored food among the otters, but they also consume various amphibians (such as salamanders and frogs ), freshwater clams , mussels , snails , small turtles and crayfish . The most common fish consumed are perch , suckers , and catfish . Occasional reports also show
4032-409: The otters are from the orders Odonata ( dragonfly nymphs ), Plecoptera ( stonefly nymphs ), and Coleoptera ( adult beetles ). Invertebrates discovered within scats or digestive tracts could most likely be a secondary food item, first being consumed by the fish that are subsequently preyed upon by the North American river otters. Mammals are rarely consumed by North American river otters, and are not
4104-678: The potential predatory impact of otters may be considerable whenever fish are physically confined (most commonly in smaller ponds offering sparse cover or other escape options). To protect fish in these cases, the otters may need to be removed or relocated. Even in larger bodies of water, river otters may take disproportional advantage of any seasonal concentrations of fish when and where only very limited areas of suitable spawning, low-flow, or over-wintering habitat may exist. Even fast-swimming fish like trout slow down in extremely cold water, leaving them vulnerable. As such, careful consideration of any threatened, endangered, or fish species of special interest
4176-400: The powerful webbed feet used to swim, and their seal-like abilities for holding breath underwater. Most have sharp claws on their feet and all except the sea otter have long, muscular tails. The 13 species range in adult size from 0.6 to 1.8 m (2.0 to 5.9 ft) in length and 1 to 45 kg (2.2 to 99.2 lb) in weight. The Asian small-clawed otter is the smallest otter species and
4248-799: The primary dietary component of North American river otters in Colorado's Upper Colorado River Basin. Likewise, the common carp ( Cyprinus carpio ) is a preferred fish species for the North American river otter in other regions of Colorado. Fish species frequently found in the diets of the North American river otters include: Catostomidae, which consists of suckers ( Catostomus spp.) and redhorses ( Moxostoma spp.); Cyprinidae, made up of carp ( Cyprinus spp.), chubs ( Semotilus spp.), daces ( Rhinichthys spp.), shiners ( Notropis and Richardsonius spp.), and squawfishes ( Ptychocheilus spp.); and Ictaluridae , which consists of bullheads and catfish ( Ictalurus spp.). Other fish an integral part of
4320-425: The pups are about two months old and their coats grow in, their mother introduces them to the water. North American river otters are natural swimmers and, with parental supervision, they acquire the skills necessary to swim. The North American river otters may leave the den by eight weeks and are capable of sustaining themselves upon the arrival of fall, but they usually stay with their families, which sometimes include
4392-566: The river otter eating other small animals, such as mice, squirrels, birds, and even dogs that they've attacked and drowned. The range of the North American river otter has been significantly reduced by habitat loss , beginning with the European colonization of the Americas . In some regions, though, their population is controlled to allow the trapping and harvesting of otters for their fur . North American river otters are very susceptible to
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#17327810378614464-520: The shells of molluscs . Additional premolars may be present. The dental formula is 3.1.4.1 3.1.3.2 . North American river otters only settle in areas that consist of vegetation, rock piles, and sufficient coverage. North American river otters are renowned for their sense of play. Otter play mostly consists of wrestling with conspecifics. Chasing is also a common game. North American river otters rely upon play to learn survival skills such as fighting and hunting. A highly active predator,
4536-416: The smaller space between the ears and its shorter tail. Males and female river otters show different non-sexual physical characteristics , with males typically being larger. North American river otters can live 21–25 years in captivity, or 8–13 years in the wild. North American river otters characteristically approach within a few feet of a boat or a person on shore due to their near-sightedness ,
4608-400: The smell of which has been described as ranging from freshly mown hay to putrefied fish; these are known as spraints . The gestation period in otters is about 60 to 86 days. The newborn pup is cared for by the bitch, dog, and older offspring. Female otters reach sexual maturity at approximately two years of age and males at approximately three years. The holt is built under tree roots or
4680-599: The southern boreal forest of Manitoba. Trappers in Alberta, Canada commonly assert North American river otters are major predators of North American beavers. A 1994 river otter study reported findings of beaver remains in 27 of 1,191 scats analyzed. However, many other studies did not report any findings of North American beaver remains in the scat sampled. Cases where otters have been ambushed and consumed by grizzly bears ( Ursus arctos horribilis ) and polar bears ( Ursus maritimus ) have also been reportedly witnessed near
4752-631: The species from the Eurasian otter, which does not do this. In early spring, expectant mothers begin to look for a den where they can give birth. The female otters do not dig their own dens; instead, they rely on other animals, such as beavers, to provide suitable environments to raise their offspring. When the mothers have established their domains, they give birth to several kits. Litter size can reach five, but usually ranges from one to three. Each otter pup weighs approximately five ounces. The mothers raise their young without aid from adult males. When
4824-727: The temperature. In water as warm as 10 °C (50 °F), an otter needs to catch 100 g (3.5 oz) of fish per hour to survive. Most species hunt for three to five hours each day and nursing mothers up to eight hours each day. For most otters, fish is the staple of their diet. This is often supplemented by frogs, crayfish and crabs . Some otters are experts at opening shellfish , and others will feed on available small mammals or birds. Prey-dependence leaves otters very vulnerable to prey depletion. Sea otters are hunters of clams , sea urchins and other shelled creatures. They are notable for their ability to use stones to break open shellfish on their bellies. This skill must be learned by
4896-724: The threat of disease to wild North American river otter populations, so it is poorly understood and documented. Lontra canadensis is listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). They have been virtually eliminated through many parts of their range, especially around heavily populated areas in the midwestern and eastern United States. Appendix II lists species that are not necessarily threatened with extinction currently, but may become so unless trade
4968-407: The use of reintroduction projects. Since 1976, over 4,000 otters have been reintroduced in 21 U.S. states. All Canadian provinces except Prince Edward Island and 29 U.S. states have viable populations that sustain annual harvests. While current harvest strategies do not pose a threat to maintaining otter populations, harvest may limit expansion of otter populations in some areas. Oil spills present
5040-410: The water. North American river otters may prefer to feed on crustaceans , especially crayfish ( Cambarus , Pacifasticus , and others) and crabs more than fish where they are locally and seasonally plentiful. In Georgia, crayfish accounted for two-thirds of the prey in the summer diet, and their remnants were present in 98% of the summer spraint . In the winter, crayfish made up one-third of
5112-1008: The water. They may also find and play with small stones. Different species vary in their social structure, some being largely solitary, while others live in groups – in a few species these groups may be fairly large. Giant otter ( Pteronura brasiliensis ) North American river otter ( Lontra canadensis ) Marine otter ( Lontra felina ) Southern river otter ( Lontra provocax ) Neotropical otter ( Lontra longicaudis ) Sea otter ( Enhydra lutris ) Spotted-necked otter ( Hydrictis maculicollis ) Eurasian otter ( Lutra lutra ) Hairy-nosed otter ( Lutra sumatrana ) Japanese otter † ( Lutra nippon ) Lutra euxena † Lutra castiglionis † Lutra simplicidens † Lutra trinacriae † African clawless otter ( Aonyx capensis ) Asian small-clawed otter ( Aonyx cinerea ) Congo clawless otter ( Aonyx congicus ) Smooth-coated otter ( Lutrogale perspicillata ) Subfamily Lutrinae Otters have been hunted for their pelts from at least
5184-529: The young. Otters are active hunters, chasing prey in the water or searching the beds of rivers, lakes or the seas. Most species live beside water, but river otters usually enter it only to hunt or travel, otherwise spending much of their time on land to prevent their fur becoming waterlogged. Sea otters are considerably more aquatic and live in the ocean for most of their lives. Otters are playful animals and appear to engage in various behaviors for sheer enjoyment, such as making waterslides and sliding on them into
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