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