Preceding the settlement of North America by Europeans, North American river otters were prevalent among aquatic habitats throughout most of the continent. [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. Catch-per-unit effort, population models, and presence vs. absence indices, such as bowhunter surveys and track surveys, were used less frequently (Table 1). Trapping, loss or degradation of aquatic habitats through filling of wetlands, and development of coal, oil, gas, tanning, timber, and other industries, resulted in local extinctions or population declines in North American river otter populations in many areas. [50] Fish species frequently found in the diets of the North American river otters include: Catostomidae, which consists of suckers (Catostomus spp.) Reintroduction projects have expanded their distribution in recent years, especially in the Midwestern United States. 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. North American river otters can close their nostrils to keep water out during long dives. 2003) indicated that changes in river otter distribution occurred primarily in the contiguous United States and that river otters had expanded their range by approximately 13.7% during an 18-y period (Table 2). However, North American river otters remain rare or absent in the southwestern United States. [39] Remains of the much larger North American beaver have been found in North American river otter scat in some regions, although most otter dietary studies in areas where otters and beaver live near each other do not show them to be regular predators of beavers (despite the claims of fur-trappers that otters frequently hunt beavers) and perhaps only young beaver kits may be attacked. Promoting more-inclusive outdoor experiences for all. Critter Control near me [29][30], The diet of the North American river otter can be deduced by analyzing either stool obtained in the field,[31] or gut contents removed from trapped otters. Their thick fur helps to protect their skin from the water and allows them to withstand cold weather. [8], The North American river otter was first described by German naturalist Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber in 1777. river otter devon. Habitat They live in still or slow moving fresh water rivers, lakes and creeks. [9] Other documented common names are American otter, Canada otter, Canadian otter, fish otter, land otter, nearctic river otter, and Prince of Wales otter. A Wisconsin zoo recently welcomed some adorable new additions to its family: three baby North American river otters. Males sometimes form a group with other young males until breeding season; otherwise a group of otters is typically a female with her young pups or pups from the previous litter. Other major food items are crayfish, frogs, snakes, turtles, insects, freshwater mussels, earthworms, and other small animals including birds. Citation: Roberts NM, Lovallo MJ, Crimmins SM. North American river otters have long whiskers, which they use to detect prey in dark or cloudy water, and clawed feet for grasping onto slippery prey. The otters migrated to North America and southwards again across the Panamanian Land Bridge, which formed 3Mya. 2003). Although the distribution became reduced in some regions of southern Canada, the only province-wide extinction occurred on Prince Edward Island. In 1980, an examination conducted on U.S. river otter populations determined they were locally extinct in 11 states, and lost significant population in 9 other states. Water quality and development inhibit recovery of populations in some areas. We contacted wildlife management agencies from all states in the contiguous United States during 2016 via email (Figure S1, Supplemental Material), and Alaska via phone, targeting agency personnel that were responsible for river otter management. Habitat: Riparianliving or located near a body of water. [10] The North American river otter was first classified in the genus Lutra. 1980. River otter Lontra canadensis population and regulatory status, population monitoring methods used, intent and outcome of reintroduction efforts, and frequency of harvest regulation reviews in 49 states (Hawaii excluded) within the United States in 2016. 2008). They are fast, agile swimmers and able to out-maneuver their prey. They feed on crayfish, crabs, fish, birds, small mammals, and some aquatic plants. You can copy this taxon into another guide. Prior to the arrival of the next litter, the North American river otter yearlings venture out in search of their own home ranges.[44]. Young are able to fully care for themselves at about six months of age but they do not usually leave their mother until about one year. 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. Most states used multiple methods to monitor river otter populations including harvest-based surveys, presenceabsence surveys, and empirically derived population model predictions; harvest-based surveys were the most commonly used monitoring approach. [1], During the 1970s, improvements in natural resource management techniques emerged, along with increased concerns about North American river otter population declines in North America. Adults generally give birth to between one and three pups, which are blind and helpless when born. American Midland Naturalist 156: 189-192. Recently, long-term genetic consequences of reintroduction projects on remnant North American river otter populations has been discussed. 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. The North American River Otter weighs on average 10 to 30 pounds and measures approximately two to four feet long from head to tail. Washington, D.C. 750 pp. Weight: 11-30 lbs. Sea otters have the amazing capacity of being able to eat up to 25% of their body weight in food . Females are approximately one-third smaller than males. River otters generally live alone or in small social groups. Male North American river otters do not seem to be territorial, and newly dispersing males may join established male groups. 2003 ). Otters have sharp claws and webbing between toes on all four feet. Uniting all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in a rapidly changing world, Inspire a lifelong connection with wildlife and wild places through our children's publications, products, and activities, National Wildlife Federation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. However, it typically occurs in winter or spring. Given the large extent of the species' range, we were limited to county-level inference. The continued expansion of river otter populations where they are managed by regulated harvest is likely enhanced by the frequency of these regulatory reviews. If you are one of the To protect fish in these cases, the otters may need to be removed or relocated. Of the remaining 37 states; 24 states reviewed regulations promptly or annually and 10 states reviewed harvest regulations in cycles of 23 y; Michigan reported that regulations are reviewed every 2 to 3 years and promptly as needed (Table 1). Chasing is also a common game. Only one state, Utah, had conducted river otter reintroductions since 2010. Likewise, the potential predatory impact of otters may be considerable whenever fish are physically confined (most commonly in smaller ponds offering sparse cover or other escape options). [53] A study conducted on North American river otters in a southwestern Arkansas swamp identified a correlation between crayfish consumption, fish consumption, and water levels. [34][36][55], Records of North American otters preying upon North American beavers (Castor canadensis) vary; it has been reported in the southern boreal forest of Manitoba. The tail makes up about a third of their total length. Otters are known for their playful nature, even as adults. Otter pelts range from a rich dark brown (almost black) to a pale chestnut on the back and sides and light brown mixed with varying amounts of gray on the belly. [28] Bobcats, alligators, coyotes, raptors, and other large predators will sometimes prey on North American river otters. Figure S1. [34] Fish remnants were found in 91.9% of the samples. Any use of trade, product, website, or firm names in this publication is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. [58][59][37][60], Threats to North American river otter populations in North America vary regionally. River otters, members of the weasel family, hunt at night and feed on whatever might be available. [46] In late 2012, a river otter nicknamed Sutro Sam took up residence around the former site of the Sutro Baths in San Francisco, the first river otter sighting in that city in more than half a century. 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. (c) 2013 California Academy of Sciences, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA). Wilson, D. E. and S. Ruff. They can drink while under water due to a special valve in their nose. North American river otters have a transparent inner eyelid (called a nictitating membrane) to protect their eyes while swimming.[10][24][25]. To compare estimates of occupied area in 1998 with our survey results, we digitized published maps depicting river otter distribution during 1998 (Melquist et al. As populations have expanded, river otter reintroduction efforts have become less frequent; two additional states had conducted reintroductions since 1998 and only one state had conducted a reintroduction since 2010. It establishes a burrow close to the water's edge in river, lake, swamp, coastal shoreline, tidal flat, or estuary ecosystems. Ten states indicated that they had reintroduced river otters to establish populations that had been extirpated (Table 1). [16] Each otter pup weighs approximately five ounces. 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