Their fur is dark brown over much of the body, and lighter brown on the belly and face. River otters can be found swimming all over in the state's creeks, lakes and ponds. [33] Crustaceans (crayfish), where regionally available, are the second-most important prey for otters. A group of otters is called a romp of otters. They feed on crayfish, crabs, fish, birds, small mammals, and some aquatic plants. Physical Description They have very streamlined bodies, with a well-muscled tail; both aid in swimming. The ears appear large on its small flattened head. Probably present statewide in association with rivers, creeks, and lakes, especially open water bordered with wooded habitat. They live in riparian zones, often in the same areas as beavers. [21] It differs from the European otter by its longer neck, narrower visage, the smaller space between the ears and its shorter tail. [30][32] They are less likely to be prey for the North American river otters since they are fast-swimming and can find good escape cover. ), chubs (Semotilus spp. If there is no evidence of otters in a body of water it could mean that the body of water has been polluted or is unhealthy. [51], Adult North American river otters are capable of consuming 1 to 1.5 kilograms (2.2 to 3.3lb) of fish per day. [39] 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. Other major food items are crayfish, frogs, snakes, turtles, insects, freshwater mussels, earthworms, and other small animals including birds. To compare estimates of occupied area in 1998 with our survey results, we digitized published maps depicting river otter distribution during 1998 (Melquist et al. [29][30], The diet of the North American river otter can be deduced by analyzing either stool obtained in the field,[31] or gut contents removed from trapped otters. Of the remaining 37 states; 24 states reviewed regulations promptly or annually and 10 states reviewed harvest regulations in cycles of 23 y; Michigan reported that regulations are reviewed every 2 to 3 years and promptly as needed (Table 1). Birmingham, AL 35223. When river otter presence was unknown in a county, which could occur where there is no harvest or monitoring effort (i.e., arid or remote regions), we recorded presence in those counties as unknown.' Their ears are small and almost inconspicuous. Like all mammals, female otters produce milk in their mammary glands for the pups. Although state wildlife-management agencies use a variety of techniques to monitor changes in river otter population size and distribution, regulated harvest-management programs provide the foundation for the much of the population monitoring that occurs. Consequently, many wildlife management agencies developed strategies to restore or enhance otter populations, including the use of reintroduction projects. VIDEO. Adults generally give birth to between one and three pups, which are blind and helpless when born. North American river otter populations span the North American continent from east to west, extending across 45 states from southern Florida to northern Alaska and all Canadian provinces except Prince Edward Island. The tail makes up approximately 40 percent of the otters total length, which ranges from three to four-and-one-half feet. Similarly, many perceived threats to North American river otters, such as pollution and habitat alterations, have not been rigorously evaluated. You will often see an otter swimming for a distance up a river, popping its head out to look in your direction. River otters in Yellowstone Lake depend on a declining . Within the contiguous United States, we estimated that the county-level geographic distribution occupied by river otters to be approximately 5,686,140 km270% of the total land area and 90% of the total water area. The animal slides down mud and snow seemingly for the sheer delight of it. [34] A 1994 river otter study reported findings of beaver remains in 27 of 1,191 scats analyzed. Do not throw any kind of trash, fertilizers, or poisons into any body of water. The dens have entrances underwater so they can be easily accessed from the water. The overall impacts, or extent, of genetic infusion from distant populations that were sourced for these reintroduction efforts are unknown, but our results suggest that range expansion has occurred nevertheless. As of 2016, >4,000 river otters have been translocated to 23 states in one of the most ambitious and extensive carnivore restoration efforts in history (Erb et al. Given the large extent of the species' range, we were limited to county-level inference. They can drink while under water due to a special valve in their nose. The vulnerability and seasonal availability of prey animals mainly governs its food habits and prey choices. We categorized the frequencies of regulatory review within state agencies into the following: never, every 45 y, every 23 y, annually, and immediately as needed. [46] In late 2012, 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 in more than half a century. An adult North American river otter can weigh between 5.0 and 14kg (11.0 and 30.9lb). At about two months they begin to venture out of the den to play and to learn how to swim and hunt. The Otter is having a snack as it swims by . The first River Otter that I have seen and I visit the area daily. (c) 2013 California Academy of Sciences, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA). River otter track Scientific Name. They use their sensitive whiskers which help them locate prey and catch their prey with their mouth, using their paws to hold on to the prey if needed. River otters historically inhabited every major watershed in the contiguous United States and were extirpated from much of their historical range as a result of multiple factors including habitat degradation and destruction as well as unregulated harvest (Anderson 1977). They are fast, agile swimmers and able to out-maneuver their prey. (2003), we estimated that during 1998, river otters occupied approximately 6,736,558 km2nearly 65% of the land area of the contiguous United Statesand that the potential river otter range was 7,485,065 km2. The river otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur. Diet [26] Other fish an integral part of the North American river otters' diets are those that are often plentiful and found in large schools: sunfish (Lepomis spp. North American river otters also currently inhabit coastal regions throughout the United States and Canada. [23], 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. ); darters (Etheostoma spp. Although populations may continue to increase numerically, river otters may be approaching their potential maximum geographic distribution in the United States. Preceding the settlement of North America by Europeans, North American river otters were prevalent among aquatic habitats throughout most of the continent. Their thick fur helps to protect their skin from the water and allows them to withstand cold weather. They can stay underwater for as many as eight minutes. [32] Fish are the primary component of the North American river otter's diet throughout the year. Young are able to fully care for themselves at about six months of age but they do not usually leave their mother until about one year. giant river otter. We tallied responses to these questions and reported frequency of responses. Otter pelts range from a rich dark brown (almost black) to a pale chestnut on the back and sides and light brown mixed with varying amounts of gray on the belly. More than one-third of U.S. fish and wildlife species are at risk of extinction in the coming decades. Our area estimates of river otter distribution in the contiguous United States during 2016 (e.g., 5,686,140 km2) were strikingly similar (i.e., only 2.3% greater) to what Melquist et al. [22], Its whiskers (vibrissae) are long and thick, enhancing their senses. Mating season depends on the latitude in which the otter was born. [5][6][7], The range of the North American river otter has been significantly reduced by habitat loss, beginning with the European colonization of the Americas. 2004. Results from this 2016 assessment provide the most recent account of river otter status and distribution in United States to our knowledge. Reproduction: Once yearly with an average litter of 2-3 and up to 6. 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. Table S1. Bobcats, alligators, coyotes, raptors, and other large predators will sometimes prey on North American river otters. Herein we provide an updated account, as of 2016, of river otter population status and distribution in the United States and discuss conservation priorities. Impounded for the creation of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, barge traffic and recreational boats are now able to move all the way from the Tennessee River to the Port of Mobile. Males are generally larger than females. This dilemma prevents, and consequently inhibits, recolonization or growth of North American river otter populations. The Sea Otters are larger and weigh between 40-95 pounds. The River Otters are smaller and weigh between 10-30 pound. 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. 2020. [36] Other prey consumed by North American river otters includes fruits,[37] reptiles, amphibians, birds (most especially moulting ducks which render the birds flightless and thus makes them easier to capture), aquatic insects, small mammals, and mollusks. [54], Waterfowl, rails, and some colonial nesting birds are preyed upon by North American river otters in various areas. 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. Its body length ranges from 66 to 107 centimetres (26 to 42in). These harvest-dependent data can be synthesized in appropriate population models to yield a wealth of information on population status and trends (Roberts 2010). Reintroduction projects have expanded their distribution in recent years, especially in the Midwestern United States. Size Adult river otters weigh 10 to 33 pounds (4.5 to 15 kilograms) and are about 2.5 to 5 feet (76 to 152 centimeters) in length. When hunting for food in the water, otters can remain submerged for up to eight minutes. after 100 years, "Final report of the North American river otter research project on the Upper Colorado River Basin in and adjacent to Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado", "Asian Carp in the Diet of River Otters in Illinois", "Lontra canadensis (northern river otter)", COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Grizzly Bear, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=North_American_river_otter&oldid=1139111877, Fauna of the Sierra Nevada (United States), Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 13 February 2023, at 12:17. They first learn to swim after about two months. In some regions, though, their population is controlled to allow the trapping and harvesting of otters for their fur. North Americanriver otters inhabit freshwater waterways such as rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, and swamps or marshes. Twenty-two states reported increasing populations while 25 reported stable populations. river otter devon. The gestation period is only about two months after this delayand litter size is one to five pups, usually two, between February and April. [9] Other documented common names are American otter, Canada otter, Canadian otter, fish otter, land otter, nearctic river otter, and Prince of Wales otter. FEEDING HABITS: The otters pelt consists of short, dense, soft underfur protected by longer, stiff, glossy guard hairs. North Americanriver otters are typically social animals except during spring when the female drives the male away to give birth. 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