Missoula, MT: Mountain Press Publishing Company. River otters are apex predators in their food web. 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. Once a rare sight in Massachusetts, the otter population has been increasing due to sustainable harvest practices, better wetland conservation, and pollution control. Hart, M.M., W.A. Image of canadensis, nature, otter - 28343614 River otters reach sexual maturity at two years. Probably breed every 2 to 3 years. Underwater, the river otter swims as fast as 7 miles per hour with considerable grace and agility, necessary for catching prey. Observations in Montana Natural Heritage Program Database. It has a long, slender body covered in brown, water proof fur. Copyright Jeff Rice, all rights reserved. For this reason, the river otter must consume food often. Small eyes and ears, a broad, flattened head, long cylindrical form, and four webbed feet suit it for its semiaquatic life. Tobalske, B.A. Channel Set for Otters It has 36 teeth. They are found throughout most of North America – from the Rio Grande in Northern Mexico to Canada and Alaska. A lifelong writer, Dianne is also a content manager and science fiction & fantasy novelist. Foresman, K.R. The adult Northern River Otter in Montana weighs around 20 pounds and measures close to 47 inches long. River otters belong to the weasel family. An adult North American river otter can weigh between 5.0 and 14 kg (11.0 and 30.9 lb). Habitats that retain open water in winter are i… 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. Missoula, MT. Females typically are smaller. 72 p. Maxell, B.A. 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. R1-93-34. River otters can live up to about 10 years in the wild. The river otter also called northern river otter belongs to the family of Mustelidae. It can swim and maneuver better than many fish, and swims with only the top of its head out of the water. Boulder, CO: University Press of Colorado. This tail serves to propel the otters through water. Northern river otters have thick lustrous fur. 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. They tend to stick to freshwater areas including lakes and rivers. The river otter food chain also includes aquatic plants and roots. Thornton, K.P. Dens and lodges are used by river otters as rest and natal sites. River otters prefer larger fish due to ease of capture; larger prey gives river otters more energy as well. Peterson, and R.L. The river otter food web maintains great biodiversity. In addition, its fur, dark brown on top, silvery or paler brown on the throat, chest, and underside, has special qualities. Generally solitary, river otters do engage in play when they meet. River otters belong to the weasel family. 2004. Their thick fur made them highly prized for their pelts. Northern River Otter. In the right habitat, River Otters can be found throughout Georgia. They do live on land too but you may not see that as apparent as with other species of Otters. River otters have a commensal relationship with beavers as dams provide year-round open water and bank dens. The northern river otter (Lontra canadensis, formerly Lutra canadensis) is a semi-aquatic carnivorous mammal in the Mustelidae or “weasel family” which includes weasels, minks, ferrets, wolverines and badgers. River otters use their fine sense of smell on land; below the water, their eyesight is far keener. Open-water stream channels used (Zackheim 1982). Its numbers have been greatly reduced through loss of habitat and through hunting and trapping in most of its former range. They are known to dig tunnels under the … Using personal observations and reviewing literature that summarize the breeding, overwintering, or migratory habitat requirements of each species (Dobkin 1992, Hart et al. Without river otters, entire watershed food webs would suffer. Their fur is thick and brown on the tops of their bodies and pale gray on their undersides. The river otter has a long, streamlined body with dense brown fur. Mainly fish. One of nature’s 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. 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… They enjoy carp, sunfish, minnows, suckers, sculpin and salmonids such as: River otters also prefer slower-moving fish to game fish. 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". These are river otters. Here's some links if you want to download a whole group. It is more nocturnal in summer and its eyes reflect a faint amber glow at night. Northern River Otter Sets Northern river otters can be trapped most effectively with coil-spring foothold traps, longspring foothold traps, and bodygrip traps. The river otter is Minnesota's largest aquatic carnivore that lives in most northern Minnesota lakes, ponds, and streams. She spent nine years working in laboratory and clinical research. River otters are strong, unmatched swimmers in their environments, and on land they can run at speeds up to 15 miles per hour. River otter habitat. 161 p. Werner, J.K., B.A. This tail serves to propel the otters through water. Protecting these fascinating, playful animals aids many species. 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. These pups stay with their mother until autumn. Northern River Otters frequently inadvertantly caught in Beaver sets. These pregnant females seek shelter in dens lined with vegetation. Mammals of Montana. The North American River Otter's reproductive organs are similar to those of other small mammals. These otters have brown-to-gray fur, and their undersides are a lighter, silvery shade. Young. Its feet are webbed. 1999. Young river otters prove to be the most susceptible to predators. Their high metabolisms result in rapid food digestion. Missoula, MT: Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana. The river otter is the largest member of the weasel family (Mustelidae). 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. The long guard hairs remain pliable in very cold weather (Ulrich 1986), and the dense underfur traps air to insulate it in water. USDA Forest Service, Northern Region. 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