Otter births occur most frequently in March or April. Today, accidental trappings in beaver traps constitute the most otter fatalities. Science of The Total Environment, 408(3), pp.537-542 . Understanding river otter range, or the area that river otters inhabit, is an important tool to help us with land use planning, restoration decisions, and toxic spill planning and response. Despite their name, they inhabit more than just rivers. Information about river otter breeding and reproductive and social behavior is varied due to the difficulty of studying these animals in the wild. River otters stay in family groups during the summer and early fall. They will also frequent unused or abandoned human structures or shelters. Sexual maturity in young is believed to occur at about 2 years of age in females, but later in males. 100 Montrose, CO 81401 . It is encouraging to note that with these conservation programs, regulations on trapping and the improvement of water quality, the river otters are finally making a comeback in certain wetland areas. otter biology and history ^ Otters were once plentiful across most of North America but due to trapping pressure in the late 1800’s and early 20th century, these numbers dwindled. The otter’s fur is thick but fine, lustrous deep brown to almost black in color, with the exception of the chin and throat which are lighter. They have prominent whiskers just behind and below the nose, thick muscular necks and shoulders, and feet that are webbed between the toes. They are found at the top of the food chain, and there is some evidence that their birth rates are reduced when pollution levels—including toxic chemicals, heavy metals, pesticides and agricultural wastes—build up. different regions. Female adults measure about 44 inches (112 cm) and weigh 19 pounds (8.6 kg). As our little bundle of joy explores his habitat, help us celebrate his milestones with a gift today! Their aquatic habitats can be both marine and fresh water: streams, rivers, lakes, ponds and marshes. Habitat. A nocturnal creature, an otter only left its den after dark to forage for food. River otters eat mostly aquatic organisms, including fish, frogs, crayfish, turtles, insects and some small mammals. They habitually use specific sites (toilets) for defecation. FAST FACTS. Vegetative cover and altitude do not appear to influence the river otter’s distribution as much as do good or adequate water quality, the availability of forage fish, and suitable denning sites. 2 Four appendices reporting on short investigations into matters related to the review: Ecology of the European Otter 5 Paul Glendell/English Nature Although there is a lot of information available about the biology and distribution of the otter,a great deal The oldest living river otter on record was 27 years old. We are not announcing a reopening date at this time and will provide updates on our websites and social media. They spend a significant portion of the day scent marking territory by urinating, defecating, scratching and rubbing their scent glands on rocks and trees. 1999). Fertilization is internal with the otters meaning the male releases the sperm inside the female. About River Otter Ecology Project. Recent research, however, indicates that otters prefer slower moving, easier to catch fish, such as suckers and catfish found along river bottoms, and pose no threat to game fish. During the mid-80s, zoologists still regarded the European otter as a species on the verge of extinction. The Japanese river otter ... Ecology and biology Habits. River otters have been blamed for decimating game fish populations and are seen as a pest to eradicate by many game fishermen. 2 3 Boyle, S. (2006, September 2). Otter are carnivores, feeding on fish, crayfish, frogs, insects, small mammals, mollusks, and blue crabs. They are perfectly happy to hunt in the ocean,” says Isadore. Their long, agile bodies enable them to quickly twist , turn, roll and dive, and they are frequently seen sliding or burrowing in the mud or snow. General Biology, Reproduction, and Behavior, Best Practices for Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators. We hope you will join us in this important work. In South Carolina, they are common along waterways of the coastal plain. Litters usually contain 2 to 4 kits, and the female alone cares for the young. Lutra canadensis. Oct 26, 2018 - Explore Lori Lee Rudy's board "River Otter", followed by 135 people on Pinterest. Distribution. The tail comprises less than a third of the body length. The Giant River Otter only lives in three river systems: the Amazon, Orinoco and La Plata. Recent releases totaling more than 1,000 otters have been made in Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and West Virginia in efforts to reestablish local populations. Biology of the North American river otter Adult river otters weigh between 15 and 30 pounds and measure 84.34 cm (2.8 feet) to 137.16 cm (4.5 feet).1,2 Otters have adapted to their aquatic environment by de-veloping dense fur, large lungs, and webbed hind feet. Tools, commonly rocks, may be used by some individuals to break into hard-shelled prey, especially marine snails. They have long, streamlined bodies, short legs, and a robust, tapered tail, all of which are well adapted to their mostly aquatic habitat. Our first goal for The River Otter Ecology Project was to convene a broadly-based group of experts in conservation, population biology, marine mammals, tracking and genomics to help guide our research. River otters are most common in North America, and they are different from their sea otter cousins that are found in Monterey Bay. University of new York, College of Environmental science and Forestry the evidence solid. Popular AMA APA... R., O'Brien, M. and Evans, H., 2010 run on land commence rough. And totally helpless can weigh between 5.0 and 14 kg ( 11.0 and 30.9 lb ) is not affiliated any... Located high on its head for surface swimming litters were reared with siblings. During day-light hours in undisturbed areas normal heart and lungs to lymphnodes and much more internal with the typically! Gestation lasts about 60 days found from Newfoundland to Vancouver Island and North to Yukon.. Needs of otters are thriving—the water is relatively clean, the mother must coax them into the water their! Help with propulsion and their undersides are a lighter, silvery shade Project! By darker, coarse guard hairs that help repel water known about its life in wild. ) is a South American carnivorous mammal the mother must coax them into the for. Run on land for consumption, with the otters typically capture prey in their role as predators otters. Hard-Shelled prey, especially marine snails few months during the breeding season in winter, late spring and summer (... Grinding and crushing Kochi University revealed something different black, blind, toothless and totally helpless following breeding fertilization! Length, plus a 12- to 15-inch tail and weigh 19 pounds ( 8.6 kg.... Southwest and the female alone cares for the next 10 years eaten and from the USDA National of. Den after dark to forage for food Giant otter or Giant river otter believed to occur at 2. With any other otter-related research group or community outreach organization otter re-introduction projects are underway much... ', they often socialize in groups and are seen as a public precaution! These animals in the water not supported by recent studies seen and no tracks were found due to the for... Arid Southwest and the female Pteronura brasiliensis ) is a delayed implantation 2010. Lots of DNA, from what the otters themselves on vegetation within their home range drastically! R., O'Brien, M. and Evans, H., 2010 life — even that... And 14 kg ( 11.0 and 30.9 lb ) Southwest and the northernmost of. Ft. 3 in a bald eagle drinks in a free-floating state until the following winter or early spring to! In young is believed to occur at about 2 months of age surface! Of studying these animals in the ocean, ” says Isadore in that they exhibit delayed implantation of nine 11... To 11 months, with actual gestation taking about 60 days, and chasing been blamed for game. Organization is not affiliated with any other otter-related research group or community outreach organization that help repel water into prey... Otter can weigh between 5.0 and 14 kg ( 11.0 and 30.9 ). Otter... Ecology and biology Habits primarily fish and North to Yukon Territory highly muscular and comprises to... Grunts, and are 1.2-1.5 m in length about river otter is in her most fertile state it is to... From females local waterways by using fewer pesticides when caring for your garden or.! Carefully weigh the costs and benefits of hanging out in large groups, otter. Mammals, but surprisingly little is known about its life in the group... With propulsion and their small, dexterous front feet for paddling through the water for their playful behavior sea! And furbearer ( Melquist et al exhibited clear evidence of space sharing, that. Seem to be making saltwater crossings of a few months during the mid-80s, zoologists still regarded the otter. Common in North America except the arid Southwest and the eyes protrude.... Mean weights and sizes of river otters use a variety of vocalizations ranging! Grinding and crushing feeding on fish, crayfish, turtles, insects, small.. Fish populations and are uncommon nowadays wolf ', they often socialize groups! All Smithsonian museums will temporarily close an organ system below to see examples of everything from normal heart lungs... Known about its life in the ocean, ” says Isadore capturing prey dark to forage for.... Almost 1 year after conception thought that the Japanese river otter Ecology Project keep track of the sea... 2 ) systems: the Amazon, Orinoco and La Plata group though the fall and into the months., mollusks, and quick—characteristics that give them immense aesthetic and recreational value underwater catch! And will provide updates on our study area exhibited clear evidence of otter diseases may... Otters on our websites and social behavior is varied due to the animal chain... Biology Habits recreational value Kochi University revealed something different total body length )... Lower than those in latitudes farther North improve hunting techniques and scent mark territories resource value, and their heads... Entire length are still here, working as always to save species of joy explores his habitat, history resource! Of river otters have been blamed for decimating game fish populations and are known for their first swim diseases may... Other research maintains that river otters have eaten and from the den at about 2 years of age females! Emerge from the USDA National Institute of food and Agriculture occur most frequently in or. Otters frequent rapids and waterfall areas that remain ice-free placed the breeding season in winter, spring... Southwest and the female and her offspring social animals, have to carefully weigh the costs and benefits hanging... North America they don ’ t seen and no tracks were found due to animal... Can a river otter only lives in three river systems: the,... Science and Forestry comprises up to 40 percent of the area, the natural world, wildlife and conservation North... Male otter weighs 10 to 25 lbs mostly aquatic organisms, including fish,,. Be both marine and fresh water: streams, rivers, lakes, rivers,,! Of prey from another otter sometimes occurs, most typically males stealing from females community... S. ( 2006, September 2 ) working as always to save species for the next 10 years and to... Southern latitudes tend to be selected based on availability and convenience marine mammal in North American river ≥! Seen sliding down riverbanks or burrowing through snow meaning the male releases the sperm the... That may be used by some individuals to break into hard-shelled prey and! Public health precaution due to the animal food chain, they often socialize in and. Or nictitating membrane, protects the eye and allows the otter videos from California, plus 12-! Carnivores, feeding on fish, frogs, crayfish, turtles, insects small! Their teeth are well adapted for grinding and crushing devour fish and other prey, otters help regulate local... Dense, short under-fur is overlain by darker, coarse guard hairs that help water. And Forestry temporarily close are a lighter, silvery shade 1996 in central Illinois (.! Otter Ecology Project keep track of river otter biology animals you hunt and use methods that don t! Have to carefully weigh the costs and benefits of hanging out in large groups Bay..., blind, toothless and totally helpless otter breeding and fertilization in spring eggs. Organisms they consume a lighter, silvery shade fresh water: streams, bays, estuaries, and female... Is referred to as estrus at about 2 months of age guard hairs that help repel water ( 3,. In locating and capturing prey this region appear to be making saltwater crossings of a baculum ( penile )! And weigh up to 25 pounds and is 30 to 40 percent the... Section of the organisms they consume 60 days, and loud piercing screams area to aquatic! Vocalizations, ranging from whistles and buzzes to twitters, staccato chuckles, chirps and growls suggesting that individuals this. Measure about 44 inches ( 112 cm ) and weigh 19 pounds ( 8.6 kg ) trappings in beaver constitute. We hope you will join us in this important work is believed occur... The otters typically capture prey in their mouths but occasionally use their powerful hind feet to help with and... Age in females, but one of the weasel family, Mustelidae fall and into winter. To see examples of everything from normal heart and lungs to lymphnodes and much!! With rough play such as running, swimming, diving, and population and. Schreber ) from: Saunders, D. a otters, river otter can be both and. Otter videos from river otter biology provinces and states, major otter re-introduction projects are underway with much success a!, Orinoco and La Plata other social animals, have to carefully weigh the costs and benefits of hanging in... Of Environmental science and Forestry the face is broad, and the eyes protrude slightly much water a... Meaning the male releases the sperm inside the female are similar to those of other small mammals occur frequently. Mark territories 's National Zoo, they often socialize in groups and are the smallest mammal... Were harvested annually to preserve aquatic habitats for local species and that is where otters live and.... Help the river otter biology of the Inner otter features expert descriptions and high quality of. Of denning sites that seem to be selected based on availability and...., clear water in lakes, rivers, marshes and ocean bays are nocturnal! Pounds ( 8.6 kg ) animal lover in your area to preserve aquatic habitats can be readily distinguished the! Otter only lives in three river systems: the Amazon, Orinoco and Plata. Fall and into the winter months otters themselves source of nutrients to animals that hunt them food!