River otter lifespan is 5-8 years in the wild. They have few natural predators, especially while in the water, but coyotes and wolves will hunt otters on land. Visit this site for more detailed information and additional resources on the River Otter. River otters have dens on land in which to sleep and have their babies. Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Reduced water quality and development that destroys stream-bank habitat are threats to otter survival. Humans trap river otters to obtain their pelts, control fish predation in private ponds and commercial fish hatcheries, and prevent damage to private property. Well hidden, they are at the water’s edge with an entry just below the surface.Įssentially safe from predators while in water, river otters are vulnerable when they travel on land. In late winter, water levels usually drop below ice levels in rivers and lakes, leaving a layer of air that allows them to travel and hunt.ĭen sites include hollow logs, log jams, piles of driftwood or boulders, and abandoned lodges and bank dens made by beaver. Freshwater shellfish, amphibians, beetles, birds, bird and fish eggs, and muskrats, mice and young beavers are also on the menu. An adult North American river otter can weigh between 5.0 and 14 kg (11.0 and 30.9 lb). They can smell concentrations of fish in ponds that drain into small, slow moving streams and will follow that smell to the prey. The North American river otter ( Lontra canadensis ), also known as the northern river otter and river otter, is a semiaquatic mammal that only lives on the North American continent, along its waterways and coasts. Powerful swimmers, river otters feed on slow moving fish. Seldom seen, they are relatively common in fresh water, such as this one in the Moose River, and in open waters on the coast, avoiding polluted areas. This article will refer to the twelve species of river otter, information about sea otters can be viewed here. These hydrodynamic members of the weasel family are voracious predators. Adult males average four feet in length, with the tail, weighing 20 to 28 pounds. River otters are rambunctious, aquatic, streamlined mammals that spend much of their time in the water. Their short, thick fur is a rich brown above, and lighter, with a silvery sheen, below. River otters are water-adapted mammals, with long, streamlined bodies, short legs, webbed toes, and long, tapered tails. 5(1):522-3.Articles about Maine history, government, ecology, economy, recreation, towns, natural features, famous people, sports, with maps, photos, and videos. It has a long tail that is thick at the base, and thinner toward the tip and grows to 12 to 19 inches in length. It has a wide, round head with small ears and long, white whiskers. Its throat and belly are golden or silvery brown. Walker's Mammals of the World - Volume I (Sixth Edition). The river otter has a long, streamlined body with dense brown fur. Though the fur trade is currently prohibited, hunting does continue. This decline is largely due to habitat loss and commercial fur hunting. The giant river otter has become rare or nonexistent over most of its range. To learn more about otters, explore the Otters Infobook.Nine distinct vocalizations have been characterized, varying from screams of excitement to coos of recognition.Cubs are reared in a central den area (1.2 to 1.8 meters, 3.9 to 5.9 ft wide) which connects to an adjacent waterway via a tunnel or series of tunnels.This home range is regularly patrolled and marked (via the definitive anal glands typifying mustelids). These groups generally maintain a home range of 12 km 2 (4.6 mi 2). Giant river otters are social, typically forming groups of 4 to 8 individuals (though congregations of up to 20 individuals have been observed).Population Global: Unknown Status IUCN: Vulnerable Shows a particular preference for waterways with gently sloping banks and good cover. Habitat Slow-moving rivers and creeks within forests, swamps, and marshes. Tail length: 330 to 1,000 mm (13 to 39 in.) Weight Male: 26- to 4 kg (57 to 75 lbs.)įemale: 22 to 26 kg (49 to 57 lbs.) Diet Fish and crabs Incubation 65 to 70 days Nursing Duration Weaned at 3 to 4 months Sexual Maturity Approximately 2 years Life Span Approximately 14 years Range Historically, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas, eastern Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay and northeastern Argentina were included. Size Head & body length: 864 to 1,400 mm (34 to 55 in.) Tail is thick at base and tapers to a dorsoventrally flattened end. Lips, chin, throat, and upper chest exhibit white blotches – which may merge into a single white "bib." Paws are large and webbed. Scientific Classification Common Name giant river otter, waterdog Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Mammalia Order Carnivora Family Mustelidae Genus Species Pteronura brasiliensisįast Facts Description Short coat appears brown when dry and a dark, shiny mocha when wet.
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