40-54 inches long, 10-30 pounds. Based on this 2016 survey, 22 states reported increasing populations, 25 states reported stable populations, and 2 states (Arizona and Washington) reported an uncertain population trend (Table 1). beaver river otter. Females will utilize a den in a mud bank or fallen tree trunk near the water for a nest location. Also, North American river otters have large molars used for crushing hard objects, such as the shells of molluscs. In many places, the populations have re-established themselves because of conservation initiatives. The River Otters are smaller and weigh between 10-30 pound. For example, 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. Most researchers specifically focusing on otters rarely actually see any wild otters. They prey most often on slower fish, such as catfish, carp and sculpins. River otters use their powerful hind feet to help with propulsion and their small, dexterous front feet for paddling through the water. When the mothers have established their domains, they give birth to several kits. [30][31] Mammals preyed upon by North American river otters are characteristically small or are a type species found in riparian zones. Promoting more-inclusive outdoor experiences for all. Other restoration efforts were conducted to bolster existing river otter populations and to expand otter distributions and provide connectivity within states that had existing, but not ubiquitous, river otter populations (Table 1). Birds and birds' eggs, as well as small terrestrial mammals may also be eaten. Birmingham, AL 35223. A Wisconsin zoo recently welcomed some adorable new additions to its family: three baby North American river otters. Reintroduction of river otters may present a problem in that it may contaminate the genetic structure of the native population.[1]. ), shiners (Notropis and Richardsonius spp. Even the otters at the zoo have chosen their own latrine sights. (c) 2013 California Academy of Sciences, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA). [32] Fish are the primary component of the North American river otter's diet throughout the year. They can stay underwater for as many as eight minutes. Otters are extremely intelligent, playful, agile, graceful, fast swimmers. They have small, round heads with small eyes and ears and prominent whiskers. [16], North American river otters can live 2125 years in captivity,[23][16] or 813 years in the wild. However, urbanization and pollution instigated reductions in range area. 1,712 River Otter Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images. Young otter pups attain sexual maturity at two years of age and at that time are driven away to establish their own territory. [34] Most aquatic invertebrates preyed upon by the otters are from the families Odonata (dragonfly nymphs), Plecoptera (stonefly nymphs), and Coleoptera (adult beetles). LIFEHISTORY AND ECOLOGY: As populations grow and expand, it is reasonable to assume that some jurisdictions may shift monitoring resources toward less secure species. [32][34] The most common amphibians recognized were frogs (Rana and Hyla). River otter Lontra canadensis populations in the United States have expanded during the past 50 y as a result of improvements in habitat quality and effective management programs implemented by state and federal agencies and native tribes. Females maintain the den and give birth to an average of two to three pups every year. This article will refer to the twelve species of river otter, information about sea otters can be viewed here. CREATIVE. [33] Specific species of reptiles and amphibians prey include: boreal chorus frogs (Pseudacris maculata); Canadian toads (Bufo hemiophrys); wood frogs (Rana sylvatica);[34] bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana); green frogs (Rana clamitans);[36] northwestern salamanders (Ambystoma gracile); California giant salamander (Dicamptodon ensatus); rough-skinned newt (Taricha granulosa);[33] and garter snakes (Thamnophis). October 29 - February 28. [28] 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 river otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur. When hunting for food in the water, otters can remain submerged for up to eight minutes. Results from this 2016 assessment provide the most recent account of river otter status and distribution in United States to our knowledge. The animal slides down mud and snow seemingly for the sheer delight of it. [30] However, river otters will prey on trout, pike, walleye (Sander vitreus vitreus), salmon (Oncorhynchus spp. [28] North American river otters also inhabit the forested regions of the Pacific coast in North America. An entrance, which may be under water or above ground, leads to a nest chamber lined with leaves, grass, moss, bark, and hair. Where an otter looks seal-like, a mink looks ferret-like, however. Like all mammals, female otters produce milk in their mammary glands for the pups. The gestation period is only about two months after this delayand litter size is one to five pups, usually two, between February and April. Poorly known. This continued numeric and geographic expansion was fostered by conservation management programs by state and federal agencies, natural dispersal and expansion of existing populations into increasingly suitable habitats, and reintroduction efforts by state wildlife agencies and conservation partnerships (Raesly 2001). You can copy this taxon into another guide. River Otters can be thought of - and in a very real sense are - semi-aquatic weasels. [58][59][37][60], Threats to North American river otter populations in North America vary regionally. The Birmingham Zoo North American river otters are Slim, a male weighing in at 8.0kg (17.5 lbs), andLenora, afemale weighing in at 7.3kg (16 lbs.). We assessed geographic distribution in each state based on a county basis; Alaska does not have county jurisdictions, so we gathered information via a phone interview to assess geographic distribution (Alaska Department of Fish and Game, personal communication). Prior to the arrival of the next litter, the North American river otter yearlings venture out in search of their own home ranges.[44]. Their ears are small and almost inconspicuous. [23], Aquatic life ties North American river otters almost exclusively to permanent watersheds. The tail makes up about a third of their total length. While current harvest strategies do not pose a threat to maintaining otter populations, harvest may limit expansion of otter populations in some areas. As such, careful consideration of any threatened, endangered, or fish species of special interest is warranted prior to reintroduction of otters to a watershed. Their thick fur helps to protect their skin from the water and allows them to withstand cold weather. Since 1976, over 4,000 otters have been reintroduced in 21 U.S. states. Because they are almost always very close to a body of water, if they hear a human they can jump into the water quickly and make a fast getaway. [1], Lontra canadensis is listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). River Otters are good swimmers and divers, able to stay underwater for up to eight minutes. Queries should be directed to the corresponding author for the article. North American river otters only settle in areas that consist of vegetation, rock piles, and sufficient coverage. Smithsonian Institution Press. In addition, riverine habitats in interior regions supported smaller, but practical, otter populations. In 4 seconds, you will be redirected to nwfactionfund.org, the site of the National Wildlife Action Fund, a 501(c)(4) organization. They live in riparian zones, often in the same areas as beavers. [34] Fish remnants were found in 91.9% of the samples. Mammals of North America. They first learn to swim after about two months. North American river otters are mainly fish eaters. [30][38] North American river otters do not generally handle prey of a large size relative to themselves but there are occasions where they've been observed ambushing and killing adult common snapping turtles while the large turtles (which are roughly equal in average body weight to a North American river otter) are hibernating. 2630 Cahaba Road The otter can close its ears and nostrils when diving. Habitat They live in still or slow moving fresh water rivers, lakes and creeks. North American river otters are mainly fish eaters. They once lived in streams, rivers, lakes, swamps, and coastal areas throughout Canada and the United States. [56] Trappers in Alberta, Canada commonly assert North American river otters are major predators of North American beavers. North American river otters are not scavengers; they avoid consuming carrion (dead animals). County-level distribution of river otter Lontra canadensis in the United States estimated by state wildlife agencies in in 2016 (Alaska does not have county-level data and there is no occurrence in Hawaii). The otters pelt consists of short, dense, soft underfur protected by longer, stiff, glossy guard hairs. Wilson, D. E. and S. Ruff. Within states that harvested otters, regulations concerning river otter harvest seasons were reviewed and adjusted regularly. Herein we provide an updated account, as of 2016, of river otter population status and distribution in the United States and discuss conservation priorities. 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. (2003) suggested that in 1998, as a result of wetland conservation and restoration efforts, river otters had expanded and inhabited approximately 90% of their former range. To protect fish in these cases, the otters may need to be removed or relocated. Are otters endangered in Alabama? Although populations may continue to increase numerically, river otters may be approaching their potential geographic distribution in the United States. Acid drainage from coal mines is a persistent water quality issue in some areas, as it eliminates otter prey. [27], North American river otters are renowned for their sense of play. River otters line their dens with leaves, moss, and grass. [9] The mammal was identified as a species of otter and has a variety of common names, including North American river otter, northern river otter, common otter and, simply, river otter. (2003) suggested as potential' range in their 1998 assessment of 5,556,200 km2. ), and squawfishes (Ptychocheilus spp. 271 pp. The smallest otter species is the Asian small-clawed otter, and the largest species, with two tied for first, is the giant otter and the sea otter. Its body length ranges from 66 to 107 centimetres (26 to 42in). The Lower Alabama River begins at the Claiborne Lock and Dam and runs south 72.5 miles through Monroe, Clarke, and Baldwin counties where it joins the Tombigbee River. ), chubs (Semotilus spp. The Cahaba River is one of the most biodiverse waterways on Earth. [19] An average adult male weighs about 11.3 kilograms (25lb) against the female's average of 8.3 kilograms (18lb). In Alabama, the Tombigbee River flows from the Fall Line Hill region of west Alabama to the lower Coastal Plain. River otters were reported to be ubiquitous throughout Alaska south of the Brooks Range (Alaska Department of Fish and Game, personal communication). 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. 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. Probably present statewide in association with rivers, creeks, and lakes, especially open water bordered with wooded habitat. Litter size ranges anywhere from one to five pups. ); Cyprinidae, made up of carp (Cyprinus spp. They are very flexible and can make sharp, sudden turns that help them catch fish. Nevertheless, these results provide an empirical, albeit coarse, contemporary estimate of river otter range in the United States. Lontra canadensis. Crait, J.R. and M. Ben-David. 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. Fish is a favored food among the otters, but they also consume various amphibians (such as salamanders and frogs[3]), freshwater clams, mussels, snails, small turtles and crayfish. Although the distribution became reduced in some regions of southern Canada, the only province-wide extinction occurred on Prince Edward Island. Preceding the settlement of North America by Europeans, North American river otters were prevalent among aquatic habitats throughout most of the continent. [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. [1], Oil spills present a localized threat to otter populations, especially in coastal areas. We thank the many state natural resource agencies for their responses and cooperation. The North American river otter can be found throughout the country inhabiting inland waterways while the sea otter is primarily found in states along the Pacific coast. [38][40], When left unchecked, though, otters can be significant predators under certain circumstances (e.g. Our survey indicated that <50% of the river otter reintroductions implemented in the United States were in areas where otters had been extirpated. [12], Molecular biological techniques have been used to determine when the river otter and the giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) of South America diverged. [32] The North American river otters have also been known to catch and consume moulting American wigeon (Mareca americana) and green-winged teal (Anas crecca). 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 the father, until the following spring. Click here for The American Society of Mammalogists species account, https://www.flickr.com/photos/spolky/14137678671/, http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2765/4276426485_17cb92891f.jpg, http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cIzzr048_Yw/UOdMyHWi9TI/AAAAAAAAUts/jMiA2rUGxQw/P1180157.JPG, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6a/Olympic_Nat_Park_River_Otter.JPG, http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8305/7752408968_be9c26984a_o.jpg, http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/cgi/img_query?seq_num=576969&one=T, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lontra_canadensis, Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). North Americanriver otters inhabit freshwater waterways such as rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, and swamps or marshes. VIDEO. FEEDING HABITS: The river otter Lontra canadensis is an elusive species that can serve an important role in aquatic ecosystems as a top predator of fish and crayfish. However, it typically occurs in winter or spring. Reintroduction projects have been particularly valuable in restoring populations in many areas of the United States. Otters are known for their playful nature, even as adults. Even fast-swimming fish like trout slow down in extremely cold water, leaving them vulnerable. ), daces (Rhinichthys spp. The tail makes up approximately 40 percent of the otters total length, which ranges from three to four-and-one-half feet. [48], Historical records indicate North American river otters were once populous throughout most major drainages in the continental United States and Canada prior to European settlement. Found at DOI: https://doi.org/10.3996/102018-JFWM-093.S1 (599 KB PDF). The vulnerability and seasonal availability of prey animals mainly governs its food habits and prey choices. [36] A study conducted on captive otters revealed they preferred larger fish, ranging from 15 to 17 centimeters (5.9 to 6.7in), more than smaller fish, ranging from 8 to 10 centimeters (3.1 to 3.9in), and they had difficulty catching fish species less than 10 centimeters (3.9in) or larger than 17 centimeters (6.7in). They have sharp canine teeth to catch and hold their prey. A long, strong tail helps propels the otter through the water. 2006. Questions concerning river otter reintroductions assessed the purpose(s) (e.g., reestablish extirpated populations, bolster existing populations, or expand river otter range beyond current distributions) and outcomes (e.g., expanding, stagnant or geographically restrained, decreasing, or unknown) of reintroduction efforts. Although populations may continue to increase numerically, river otters may be approaching their potential maximum geographic distribution in the United States. The otters eyes contain a specialized lens to assist with underwater viewing. Although is unlikely that river otters inhabit the entire county, we believe this to be a sufficient and consistent with other species assessments. [26], Male North American river otters disperse from such family groups more often than females. [2008], and Roberts [2010]). It can tolerate a great range of temperature and elevations. They are born blind and remain in the den to nurse for the first month. [20], The mothers raise their young without aid from adult males. The torpedo shaped body the otter has allows it to cut through the water in a smooth and fast manner. The river otter Lontra canadensis is an elusive species that can serve an important role in aquatic ecosystems as a top predator of fish and crayfish. Protect fish in these cases, the populations have re-established themselves because of initiatives... Catfish, carp and sculpins to an average of two to three pups every year a. 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