North American River Otter
TYPE: Mammal
STATUS:
Least Concern
QUICK STATS
Body size
3–4 ft with 1–2 foot tail
5–14 kg (11–30 lbs)
native habitat
Fresh water and costal marine habitats (rivers, lakes, marshes) of North America
life expectancy
Up to 13 years
diet
Amphibians, fish, crustaceans, small mammals, birds
Reproduction
2–3 young per litter
predators
American alligator, American crocodile, large land mammals
natural defenses
Swimming ability and warning vocalizations
About the Species
AERODYNAMIC SWIMMERS
River otters have long slender bodies, short limbs, and short flat heads with whiskers, used to detect prey in water. Their back legs and tail are used to propel them through the water.
River otter habitat sponsored by Wekiva Island.
The North American river otter is extremely widespread, not confined to just rivers.
They can be found in streams, lakes, ponds, wetlands, coastal shorelines and marshes. As an otter dives into the water in search of food, bubbles can be seen escaping their fur. This phenomenon is due to the fact that otters have two layers of fur on their coats: the undercoat and the guard hairs.
The undercoat is the layer closest to their bodies, and the place where the air is being trapped. The guard hairs protect, and are the waterproof layer helping keep the undercoat from getting wet. Otters take care to groom themselves, keeping their fur in good condition. River otters are carnivores, mainly feeding on fish, frogs, crustaceans and occasionally a bird or small mammal. River otters live and rest in dens. They often move into former beaver dens.
Visit our habitat sponsor at www.wekivaisland.com
Lontra canadensis
River otters’ streamlined bodies are built for swimming and diving, and they can stay underwater for up to eight minutes!
WORD FROM
THE EXPERTS
