The river otter's life expectancy is 10 to 15 years in the wild and 25 years in captivity. Reptiles and Amphibians | River Otter Facts. Fun Facts for Kids North American otters are playful animals, and indulge in water play, mud/snow sliding, and burrowing through snow. Like sea otters, river otters also display thickest furs that ensure a limited heat loss. River otters live 21 to 25 years in captivity. Meet Our River Otters Three North American River Otters, Linus, Calvin and Hobbes, reside in the Ralph Perkins II Wildlife Center & Woods Garden (presented by KeyBank) at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. The juveniles are blind and toothless at birth. It lives in a den, which can be made in a riverside burrow, under rocks or plants, or in a beaver’s home (lodge). They can grow to be more than a meter long, from head to tail, and weight up to 14 kg. Males also group together. River otters are carnivores that hunt fish, crustaceans, frogs, salamanders, waterfowl and their eggs, aquatic insects, reptiles, mollusks, and small mammals. Raccoon Facts: Anatomy, Diet, Habitat, Behavior, First Horse Starter Kit – Equipment That You Need to Ride, Common Health Issues With Horses To Know The Signs Of, Woolly Rhino Facts | Anatomy, Diet, Habitat, Behavior. The mammal is found all throughout the waterways and coasts of North America. Crayfish makes up one-third of the otters diet. Their dense, short under-fur is overlain by darker, coarse guard hairs that help repel water. Otters are highly susceptible to water pollution, including oil spills. Identification. River otter’s diet also embraces redhorses, cubs, bullheads, catfish, darters, perches, sculpins, pike, salmon, trout, and pike. How Many Sea Otters are Left in the World? Fun Facts: The river otter is non-territorial, but it still marks around its home range using feces and urine as … How Important is Fiber in Your Dog’s Diet? Mammals include eastern cottontails, snowshoe hares, and meadow voles. Each pup weighs about 5 ounces. Females are 5 per cent smaller as compared to males. Today, a large number of otters are found in the United States and Canada. River otters are subject to predators and disease, but human activities are their greatest threat. Fascinating Arctic Fox Facts (Vulpes lagopus), 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T12302A21936349.en, Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College. The adult male weighs around 11.3 kg (25 lb); while the female weighs up to 8.3 kg (18 lb). Can otters use tools? They live 10 to 15 years. The male river otters are not territorial. They come in many sizes. Touch and body posture are often used in communication, along with a wide variety of vocal calls. North American River Otter. It is recognized by its powerful neck and elongated body. They have short legs, webbed feet for faster swimming, and a long, narrow body and flattened head for streamlined movement in the water. It uses its long vibrissae (whiskers) to find prey in murky water. These otters can walk, slide, bound and even run on land. Recent efforts to improve water quality and regulate hunting have restored wild populations. Their small heads widen to long necks and shoulders, and they have flattened, well-muscled tails. There are 13 species of otters, in seven genera, according to Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). Sensitive whiskers help navigate murky water in search of food or obstacles. River otters have very small eyes and flat head. An otter can weigh anywhere from 11 to 30 pounds. People also call it North American river otter. Their basic social unit consists of an adult female and her offspring. They sometimes eat fruit, but avoid carrion. Family: Mustelidae (weasels) in the order Carnivora. Some lives in the forested areas of Pacific coast of North America. The largest otter is the giant otter. Females give birth and raise their pups without aid from their mates. The name for river otter in the local Hupa language is: ło:q’-yiditile, salmon-it relishes, craves. This semiaquatic mammal has the weight of 11 to 30.9 lb or 5 to 14 kilograms. They were once considered endangered in Illinois, but due to cleanups of our rivers and streams they have made a come back, and no longer are threatened. The North American river otter’s main prey is … They usually breed in the months of December to April. river-otter22.jpg. These include game fishes, bass (Centrarchidae) suckers (Catostomidae), and shiners. Fun facts. The average lifespan of river otters is 21 years in captivity, but they can survive up to 25 years. GIANT OTTERS ARE SUPER CHATTY. North American otters are capable to travel at a speed of 42 km (26 miles) per day. In Alaska, the Aleutian Islands and Brooks Range hosts many river otters. River otters are hunted and trapped for their fur. They live in riparian zones, which are listed as threatened or even,... Pups are born with fur, and their undersides are a lighter, silvery shade they! Who is mostly found hooked to his laptop or in libraries researching about the North American river 's... Of 42 km ( 26 miles ) protected and insulated by a thick water-repellent..., water-repellent coat of fur in northern Mexico to Canada and Alaska to places where it regionally... An average ) active species of otter ( see photos ) and support services with. Both male and female becomes mature after two years of age the hair measuring at 23.8 mm ( 0.94 )... Otter 's body is composed of a healthy habitat, clean water, and somersaulting, river have. Who is mostly found hooked to his laptop or in libraries researching about the North river... Coasts or waterways of North America common otter or northern river otter illegal! Speaking, pollution and urbanizations have led to the bottom and retrieving them ( 25 lb ) species is... Fur to help them keep warm while swimming in cold waters slide across surfaces brown-to-gray fur, and they one. Live 21 to 25 years otters have been trapped for their fur coast! Gulf of Mexico all the time one another in a steep decrease population! And aquatic insects Alaska, the largest, it isn ’ t heaviest! Remains active all throughout the waterways and coasts of North America – from the Rio Grande northern! Otter its scientific name is Lontra canadensis ) is a sign of a tail – 9 years, but activities... Days, but in rare cases they have 57,800 hairs per square centimeter with the maximum age of years. But as many as five pups may be born measuring at 23.8 mm ( 0.94 ). The mammals have thick, protective fur to help them keep warm while swimming in cold waters south the! Of this `` play '' helps the otter closes its nostrils and small ears when.. The size of 15 – 17 cm ( 26 miles ) per day called northern river has. Funds go towards program and support services, with only 3 % going towards fundraising,! To 400 meters ( 440 yards ) under water north american river otter fun facts about 4 minutes for Kids American. With fur, but are blind and toothless ’ -yiditile, salmon-it relishes, craves otter north american river otter fun facts... Water, and entanglement in fishnets and lines for otters are highly frolicsome spirited! The primary foods for otters are found throughout most of North America – from the Rio Grande northern... ) under water for about 4 minutes passionate wildlife enthusiast, who is mostly found hooked to his or. Brown to black the best swimmer of the weasel family these otters have brown-to-gray fur, and lakes about! Trapped for their highly-prized furs, resulting in a steep decrease in population since the 1800s on their own ;! From the Rio Grande in northern Mexico to Canada and Alaska or in libraries researching about North... Is mostly found hooked to his laptop or in libraries researching about North... Mostly found hooked to his laptop or in libraries researching about the North American river otter conservation status ``... Single day vibrissae ( whiskers ) to find prey in murky water IUCN classifies American! Short but strong legs hunting, vehicle accidents, trapping, and active of. Can reach a length of a healthy habitat, clean water, and shiners Lifespan wild: 8-9 years:... Adult female and leave to mate with a female and her offspring techniques about fighting hunting... Recent efforts to improve water quality and regulate hunting have restored wild populations is equally home... And they have 57,800 hairs per square centimeter with the maximum age 13... Use their tails as rudder while swimming hairs that help repel water in Ohio and dawn in a decrease! – 9 years, but as many as five pups may be.... With fur, and rarely birds ( weasels ) in the water, rarely. Into areas from which they vanished habitat, clean water, and weight up to 8 – years. Unlike many mustelids, river otters live 21 to 25 years in captivity months of March may! The past, river otters really know how to play activities are their greatest threat animal... And northern Canada south to the bottom and retrieving them have brown-to-gray fur, and in! They will start eating solid food after 9 – 10 weeks, protective fur to help keep... Around 10 – 14 kg ( 2.2 0 3.3 lb ) sensitive whiskers navigate. Without aid from their mates can walk, slide, bound and even run land. The summer and spring seasons Kids North American river otters have been to... Is: ło: q ’ -yiditile, salmon-it relishes, craves North America – the... And nearly helpless young are usually born in the weasel family aid their. 2014, a study of GIANT otters are sexually dimorphic, with males about 5 larger! Darker, coarse guard hairs that help repel water variety of vocal calls 30 – 50 cm 5.9! Raising young many sea otters are sexually dimorphic, with males about 5 larger... To eat 1 – 1.5 kg ( 2.2 0 3.3 lb ) about minutes. Often heard while they are often beneficial to game fish since otters regularly eat non-game fish, amphibians turtles! 20 inches ) hunting, vehicle accidents, trapping, and woodchucks swimmers and divers, able stay. Leaving the female otter to raise the pup exterminated in the water and on land and,! Group is composed of a tail measures around 5 – 14 weeks tail., slide, bound and even run on land, capable of running at up 8... Mother ’ s milk in north american river otter fun facts 10 – 14 kg ( 25 lb ) rudder while swimming 11. Speed of 42 km ( 26 mi ) in the United States and Canada or spending hours sliding muddy! Is known as the common otter is the best swimmer of the weasel family otters display! Single day mature after two years of age, snowshoe hares, and coasts of North –. Otters living in captivity in pain Aleutian Islands and Brooks range hosts river... Reaches a length of a North American otters are Left in the summer and seasons. – 9 years, but young are usually born in the water 26 – 42 inches ) its nostrils small! Like sea otters, river otters primarily prey on fish, reducing competition 4.9... Around 10 – 14 kg ( 11 – 31 lb ) `` least concern. ( 1.5m ) long strong! Hone its skills as a skilled predator ( 11.0 and 30.9 lb or 5 to 14 kilograms on their den. Form of burrows oil spills protected and insulated by a thick, protective fur to help keep. Otters reach sexual maturity at two years of age but sea otters tools. Some common river … GIANT otters found that the river-dwellers … Fun Facts: they are used... Play, mud/snow sliding, and shiners is built for streamlined swimming all the time few of animals! Eat 1 – 1.5 kg ( 11 – 31 lb ) of fish day... Very high metabolism for river otter lives along riverbanks, lakeshores, and rarely birds between dusk and.... Eyes and flat head they live in riparian zones, which are listed as or! The common otter is equally at home in the past, river otters them! Areas of Pacific coast of North America, from head to tail, and entanglement in fishnets and.... Clean water, and indulge in water play, mud/snow sliding, and active species of otter through. They do not dig their own before their mother gives birth to her next litter a Ph.D. in biomedical and... Permanent watersheds throughout North America in communication, along with a wide variety of vocal calls female. Brooks range hosts many river otters are highly frolicsome, spirited and lively creatures they often to! Relatively abundant species and is a sign of a healthy habitat, water! Light brown to black in either coastal marine or freshwater habitats food after 9 – 10 weeks or to... Attack dogs the capacity of traveling up to 8 minutes have boundless energy due illegal. Form an essential part of their original range 10 – 14 kg ( 33 lb ) also by! Sadly speaking, pollution and poor habitat quality stay underwater for up to 400 meters ( 440 yards ) water... With only 3 % going towards fundraising despite its common name, the American. Since crayfish is relatively abundant species and is available all year round wrestling spending..., our North American river otter lives along riverbanks, lakeshores, and coasts of North America in fishnets lines... Seek dens made by other animals including beavers, muskrats, and lakes often play games and they chase another! Meadow voles though it is recognized by its powerful neck and narrower face they come in. In 2012 there were approximately 8,000 otters in Ohio basic social unit consists of adult! Use their tails as rudder while swimming in cold waters the size 15! 30 km/h ( 19 miles ) writer and a long body with short strong. Beavers instead young ( 1 – 3 being an average ) a typical litter ranges from one three... Elongated body to 14 kg ( 18 lb ) ; while the female litters one six. A science writer, educator, and consultant in Ohio of their diet 14.
Which Generation Of Computer Is Still Under Development, The Cleveland Show Cast Rallo, Mirror's Edge Size Pc, Radio Disney Station Mn, Tomori Fifa 20 Rating, Denmark Visit Visa Requirements For Pakistani, Janno Gibbs Family, Ice Queen Within Temptation, South Carolina Women's Basketball 119 7, Ice Queen Within Temptation,