North American river otters have a transparent inner eyelid (called a nictitating membrane) to protect their eyes while swimming. North American river otters, also called Canadian otters, have long, muscular, streamlined bodies with short legs and fully webbed feet bearing non-retractable claws. Reintroduction projects have expanded their distribution in recent years, especially in the Midwestern United States. [26] Other fish an integral part of the North American river otters' diets are those that are often plentiful and found in large schools: sunfish (Lepomis spp. Free or royalty-free photos and images. [30][32] They are less likely to be prey for the North American river otters since they are fast-swimming and can find good escape cover. They live in riparian zones, which are the areas that border stream, rivers, and lakes. bobcats, alligators, coyotes, and raptors are among the large predators that prey on river otters. Otters did not show strong preference for individual habitat components within their home range. Two river dolphins, the tucuxi and boto, might potentially compete with the giant otter, but different spatial use and dietary preferences suggest minimal overlap. They will feed on fish, invertebrates, frogs, clams, crayfish, and small mammals or birds. [89] A Ticuna legend has it that the giant otter exchanged places with the jaguar: the story says jaguar formerly lived in the water and the giant otter came to the land only to eat. [1] P. b. brasiliensis is distributed across the north of the giant otter range, including the Orinoco, Amazon, and Guianas river systems; to the south, P. b. paraguensis has been suggested in Paraguay, Uruguay, southern Brazil, and northern Argentina,[14] although it may be extinct in the last three of these four. These include mudminnows (Umbra limi) and sculpins (Cottus spp.). It has the greatest body length of any species in the mustelid family, although the sea otter may be heavier. Moreover, a western Oregon study revealed fish remains were present in 80% of the 103 digestive tracts examined. 3001 Connecticut Ave., NW Try Otter Spotters! [23], Although commonly called a "river otter", the North American river otter is found in a wide variety of aquatic habitats, both freshwater and coastal marine, including lakes, rivers, inland wetlands, coastal shorelines, marshes, and estuaries. The oldest living river otter on record was 27 years old. They spend a significant portion of the day scent marking territory by urinating, defecating, scratching and rubbing their scent glands on rocks and trees. [5][6][7], The range of the North American river otter has been significantly reduced by habitat loss, beginning with the European colonization of the Americas. [78] Specific threats from human industry include unsustainable mahogany logging in parts of the giant otter range,[75] and concentrations of mercury in its diet of fish, a byproduct of gold mining. [50] Males actively participate in rearing cubs and family cohesion is strong;[51] older, juvenile siblings also participate in rearing, although in the weeks immediately after birth, they may temporarily leave the group. [28], Aquatic invertebrates have been recognized as an integral part of the North American river otter's diet. [33], Although they consume birds, North American river otters do not feed on bird eggs. [31][33], Mammals are rarely consumed by North American river otters, and are not a major dietary component. [63] Duplaix identified two critical factors in habitat selection: food abundance, which appears to positively correlate to shallow water, and low sloping banks with good cover and easy access to preferred water types. In addition to the survey data, DEC collects public sighting data for river otter and other furbearer species. Males are between 1.5 and 1.7m (4ft 11in and 5ft 7in)in length from head to tail and females between .mw-parser-output .frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .frac .num,.mw-parser-output .frac .den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output .frac .den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}1 and 1.5m (3ft 3+12in and 4ft 11in). [9] The mammal was identified as a species of otter and has a variety of common names, including North American river otter, northern river otter, common otter and, simply, river otter. The first beavers to live wild in England for centuries are to be allowed to remain in their new home on the River Otter in east Devon after a five-year reintroduction trial. Whale watching is . These otters are frequently observed playing and sliding together. North Andover, MA (01845) Today. [30][38] North American river otters do not generally handle prey of a large size relative to themselves but there are occasions where they have 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. 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). and over 3 feet long, are found across North America, although their range has been significantly damaged by hunting and habitat. Because they have a low tolerance for polluted water, river otters are considered by some naturalists to be a good indicator, or "keystone," species of the quality of aquatic habitats. Make a donation to the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute today! [64], Giant otters use areas beside rivers for building dens, campsites, and latrines. [35] An analysis published in 2014 cataloged 22 distinct types of vocalization in adults and 11 in neonates. Hums and coos are more reassuring within the group. [40] One fight was directly observed in the Brazilian Pantanal in which three animals violently engaged a single individual near a range boundary. April . The entire group, including nonreproductive adults, which are usually older siblings to that year's pups, collaborates to catch enough fish for the young. . When submerged, otters close their nostrils . Adult river otters weigh 10 to 33 pounds (4.5 to 15 kilograms) and are about 2.5 to 5 feet (76 to 152 centimeters) in length. The tail is long, wide, and quite thick at the base. About the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Your Go-to Guide for a Winter Day at the Zoo, What's New at the Smithsonians National Zoo This Summer. It is encouraging to note that with these conservation programs, regulations on trappingand the improvement of water quality, the river otters are finally making a comeback in certain wetland areas. Recently, long-term genetic consequences of reintroduction projects on remnant North American river otter populations has been discussed. Decades of poaching for its velvety pelt, peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, considerably diminished population numbers. All group members may aggressively charge intruders, including boats with humans in them. Hunting in shallow water has also been found to be more rewarding, with water depth less than 0.6 metres (2.0ft) having the highest success rate. Information about river otter breeding and reproductive and social behavior is varied due to the difficulty of studying these animals in the wild. Washington, DC 20008. In the United States, there are sea otters and the North American river otter, or . Photo by Andrea Westmoreland. Two subspecies are currently recognized by the canonical Mammal Species of the World, P. b. brasiliensis and P. b. paraguensis. At the moment, it's not clear where this . In Mexico, the North American river otters lived in the Rio Grande and Colorado River Deltas. ), and other game fish during spawning. The giant otter is also rare in captivity; in 2003, only 60 animals were being held.[5]. [49] Females have a gestation period of 65 to 70 days, giving birth to one to five pups, with an average of two. [26][33], Amphibians and reptiles are more obtainable by the North American river otter during the spring and summer as a result of breeding activity, appropriate temperatures, and water supply for the prey. [72] Its smaller prey, different denning habits, and different preferred water types also reduce interaction. In warmer times, you may also see otters sliding down a riverbank. North American river otters also currently inhabit coastal regions throughout the United States and Canada. [51], Adult North American river otters are capable of consuming 1 to 1.5 kilograms (2.2 to 3.3lb) of fish per day. Hartig said that in 2019, river otters were observed in Lake Erie National Park, having swum across Lake Erie. The Maine Fish and Game Commissioner at the time, George J. Stoble, said that the critter, which Bolstridge trapped on the Fish River, was a world's record otter. They also inhabit the forested regions of the Pacific coast in North America. Sliding is a thing. [5] They are weaned by nine months and begin hunting successfully soon after. The giant otter is an especially noisy animal, with a complex repertoire of vocalizations. These include providing at least the minimum recommended land-to-water area ratio, and that all enclosure land surfaces (both artificial and natural) are nearly entirely covered with the recommended substrate conditions (e.g. The North American river otter is found throughout North America, inhabiting inland waterways and coastal areas in Canada, the Pacific Northwest, the Atlantic states, and the Gulf of Mexico. Download River Otter stock photos. The North American river otter ( Lontra canadensis ), also known as the northern river otter and river otter, is a semiaquatic mammal that only lives on the North American continent, along its waterways and coasts. [62] Furthermore, Defler observed associations between giant otters and the Amazon river dolphins, and suggested that dolphins may benefit by fish fleeing from the otters. ), with a maximum recorded length of 240 cm (94 in. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. This dilemma prevents, and consequently inhibits, recolonization or growth of North American river otter populations. The river otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur. And new research on the patterns of the hunting trade has revealed how the giant otter's biology, including its monogamous tendencies and boisterous social lifestyle, may have undermined its. [61], The North American river otter is considered a species of least concern according to the IUCN Red List, as it is not currently declining at a rate sufficient for a threat category. Nature at risk: Otters still call Delaware River home, for now. It was the first time the otters had been seen there in 100 years. after 100 years, "Final report of the North American river otter research project on the Upper Colorado River Basin in and adjacent to Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado", "Asian Carp in the Diet of River Otters in Illinois", Assessment and status report on the Grizzly Bear, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=North_American_river_otter&oldid=1149392550, This page was last edited on 11 April 2023, at 23:15. The giant otter shows a variety of adaptations suitable to an amphibious lifestyle, including exceptionally dense fur, a wing-like tail, and webbed feet. SmithsoniansNationalZoo& ConservationBiologyInstitute Size: Head and body: 21.75 to 31.5 inches; tail: 11.75 to 19.75 inches. The giant river otter can weigh up to 99 pounds. In 2004, Peru created one of the largest conservation areas in the world, Alto Purs National Park, with an area similar in size to Belgium. International Union for Conservation of Nature, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, "Searching for the Giant Otter in Northeastern Argentina", "Otters: An Action Plan for their Conservation", "Otters: A SeaWorld Education Department Publication", "The Vocal Repertoire of Adult and Neonate Giant Otters (, "Territorial choruses of giant otter groups (, "Distribution and Population Status of the Giant Otter Pteronura brasiliensis in Bolivia", "Intraspecific Agonism between Giant Otter Groups", "Change of Partners in a Giant Otter Alpha Couple", "An analysis and review of the sociobiology of the Mustelidae", Guianas Rapid River Bio-assessments and Giant Otter Conservation Project. It is an amphibious member of this family as are the mink and sea otter. The initial goals of the study are: River otters will achieve maturity between the ages of two and three, while female sea otters mature between ages three and five, and males even later between ages five and seven. 2003 ). At this point, they eat solid food but are not completely weaned for another month or two. [48] The animal reaches sexual maturity at about two years of age and both male and female pups leave the group permanently after two to three years. The river otter is a remarkable animal to watch on the move, either in the water or on the shore. ), daces (Rhinichthys spp. Giant otters catch their own food and consume it immediately; they grasp the fish firmly between the forepaws and begin eating noisily at the head. [36] Other prey consumed by North American river otters includes fruits,[37] reptiles, amphibians, birds (most especially moulting ducks which render the birds flightless and thus makes them easier to capture), aquatic insects, small mammals, and mollusks. The North American river otters may leave the den by eight weeks and are capable of sustaining themselves upon the arrival of fall, but they usually stay with their families, which sometimes include the father, until the following spring. The river otter can hold its breath for up to 8 minutes Estimated Population Size Over 100,000 Biggest Threat Loss of habitat Most Distinctive Feature Long, narrow body Other Name (s) American otter, fish otter Gestation Period 58 days Litter Size one to six Habitat Ponds, lakes, rivers Predators Bobcats, coyotes, alligators, raptors Diet Carnivore I had a feeling it might be a rare encounter, but I really had no idea just how rare, Ste Marie said. The giant otter subsists almost exclusively on a diet of fish, particularly characins and catfish, but may also eat crabs, turtles, snakes and small caimans. Are you a hunter? In the winter, otters have found the easiest and perhaps most fun way to get around is by sliding. River otters are adapted to a semi-aquatic lifestyle and can typically be seen "playing" in a stream, river, or alongside the banks of a waterway. Ammoland America's oldest Second Amendment . In other otter species, vision is generally normal or slightly myopic, both on land and in water. The ears appear large on its small flattened head. Jan. 20, 2022 5:24 PM PT. [70], Even if without direct predation, the giant otter must still compete with other predators for food resources. First announced in October 2021 after receiving a $200,000 grant, the fly-in, fly-out habitat is designed to be an urban refuge for migrating waterfowl like geese, ducks or any other aquatic bird. All Rights Reserved. North America's largest North American river otter populations were found in areas with an abundance and diversity of aquatic habitats, such as coastal marshes, the Great Lakes region, and glaciated areas of New England. [67], Research generally takes place in the dry season and an understanding of the species' overall habitat use remains partial. Even fast-swimming fish like trout slow down in extremely cold water, leaving them vulnerable. Joe Jack caught what could be the state's first legally trapped river otter on Nov. 2. This ancient otter weighed as much as an adult lion. A restoration program in western New York has in. [41] One tentative theory for the development of sociality in mustelids is that locally abundant but unpredictably dispersed prey causes groups to form. The threat has been exacerbated by the otters' relative fearlessness and tendency to approach human beings. After an encounter with a river otter sent a man to a hospital, officials at Lassen Volcanic National Park in Northern California are warning people to stay out of the water at a popular lake.. [34] Fish remnants were found in 91.9% of the samples. Its body length ranges from 66 to 107 centimetres (26 to 42in). On land a river otter can run at speeds of up to 15 miles (24 kilometers) an hourthey can slide even faster. [2] Given local extinctions, the species' range has become discontinuous. [13], The otters form the subfamily Lutrinae within the mustelids and the giant otter is the only member of the genus Pteronura. [2] Four specific vegetation types occur on one important creek in Suriname: riverbank high forest, floodable mixed marsh and high swamp forest, floodable low marsh forest, and grass islands and floating meadows within open areas of the creek itself. Duplaix documented interaction with the Neotropical otter. [28] Unique markings of white or cream fur color the throat and under the chin, allow individuals to be identified from birth. The river otter ( Lutra canadensis) is the best swimmer of the weasel, or Mustelidae, family. Weights are between 26 and 32kg (57 and 71lb) for males and 22 and 26kg (49 and 57lb) for females. [33] Specific species of reptiles and amphibians prey include: boreal chorus frogs (Pseudacris maculata); Canadian toads (Bufo hemiophrys); wood frogs (Rana sylvatica);[34] bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana); green frogs (Rana clamitans);[36] northwestern salamanders (Ambystoma gracile); California giant salamander (Dicamptodon ensatus); rough-skinned newt (Taricha granulosa);[33] and garter snakes (Thamnophis). When the mothers have established their domains, they give birth to several kits. The IUCN lists Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela as current range countries. The river otter ( Lontra canadensis) is a key bio-indicator of the health of our environment as they sit at the top of this water-based food chain. [2] Typically, loggers first move into rainforest, clearing the vegetation along riverbanks. Giant otters served as Yaku runa's canoes. Otters are the largest member of the weasel family weighing up to 30 lbs. [68], Adult giant otters living in family groups have no known serious natural predators, however there are some accounts of black caimans in Peru and yacare caimans in the Pantanal preying on giant otters. [16] Their main requirements are a steady food supply and easy access to a body of water. [29] The legs are short and stubby and end in large webbed feet tipped with sharp claws. in hatcheries or other fish culture facilities). An IUCN study in 2006 suggested 1,000 to 5,000 otters remain. The North American river otter ( Lontra canadensis), also called the Canadian otter, is the most abundant species of otter. Group hierarchies are not rigid and the animals easily share roles. [28] A river otter caught on camera taking a swim in the Detroit River is the first of its species to be documented in the body of water in over 100 years, experts said. [36] Each family of otters was shown to have its own unique audio signature. We thought were next, Detroit River is next, he said. Despite its common name, the North American river otter is equally comfortable in either coastal marine or freshwater habitats. Similarly, many perceived threats to North American river otters, such as pollution and habitat alterations, have not been rigorously evaluated. Carter and Rosas, however, rejected the subspecific division in 1997, noting the classification had only been validated once, in 1968, and the P. b. paraguensis type specimen was very similar to P. b. Fossil Facts. River otters exhibit a variety of vocalizations, ranging from whistles andbuzzes to twitters, staccato chuckles, chirps and growls. [10] The North American river otter was first classified in the genus Lutra. John Hartig, a visiting scholar at the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research who focuses on pollution cleanup in the Great Lakes, confirmed the rarity of Ste Maries sighting. River otter populations have declined since the 1600s for numerous reasons, including the fur trade and loss of habitat. [16], North American river otters can live 2125 years in captivity,[23][16] or 813 years in the wild. So he contacted some local experts who confirmed that river otters hadnt been seen in the Detroit River for 100 years. [10][24][25], Most mustelids, including otters, have 36 specialized teeth, including sharp canines and carnassials that inflict lethal bites to prey. [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. Scent marking is done by either urinating/defecating or by emitting a strong, musky odor from the paired scent glands near the base of thetail. (Lutra canadensis) River otters are sometimes mistaken for their much larger seagoing cousin, the sea otter. The dental formula is 3.1.4.13.1.3.2. That home range shrinks drastically during breeding and rearing season. [84] (One researcher has suggested the giant otter is hunted only in desperation due to its horrible taste. I spotted something brown and furry in the water, he said. Unlike most otter habitats around the world, it is thought that the Pacific north coast still supports a thriving otter population. [53] However, when water levels are lower, crayfish will seek out shelter while fish become more highly concentrated and susceptible to predation. River otters show up in downtown Cuyahoga Falls for first time in long time River otters are native to Ohio but seeing one in downtown Cuyahoga Falls is a bit like saying you've spotted Bigfoot.

Red Dead Redemption 2 Demo, Articles W