North American River Otter

CLASSIFICATION

Kingdom: Animalia
    Phylum: Chordata 
        Sub-Phylum: Vertebrata
            Super Class: Tetrapoda
                Class: Mammalia
                    ORDER: Carnivora
                        FAMILY: Mustelidae
                            GENUS: Lutra
                                SPECIES: canadensis

DESCRIPTION
     

    The North American River otter has an elongated tube-shaped body. The thick fur is dark reddish-brown to black on top, and grey to silver on the underside. A long muscular and tapered tail follows the body, which can be up to 1/3 of the total body length. . This is used for swimming and diving when in water. River otters can grow to an approximate length of 3-4 feet, and weigh from 15-25 pounds. Otters have four short, powerful legs and each foot is webbed. Because otters belong to the family that includes skunks, River otters have a very pungent scent that can be excreted from anal glands at the base of the tail.

The face of the River otter is covered with stiff whiskers that can be used to find prey in the water. The eyes are small and round. The ears and nose can be partially closed when underwater. In addition to its thick insulating fur, River otters can decrease their heart rate to conserve oxygen when in the water.

HABITAT
    North American River otters can be found throughout North. America. They live primarily near rivers, lakes, streams, and marshes. They have been known to travel great distances over land to reach bodies of water. Although mostly aquatic, river otters love to play on land. This can be done during the hot summer months, or even in icy snow banks.

DIET
    River Otters are carnivores. They eat a variety of shellfish, invertebrates, small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, eggs, and slow moving fish, such as carp and catfish. Occasionally they will even eat birds. 

LIFESTYLE

Otters are mostly diurnal, feeding and playing during the day. However, they have been known to be active during all hours. They live in abandoned beaver homes, as well as old logs and any other type of abandoned home near water. On land, otters can run up to 18 mph.

REPRODUCTION
        Otters are monogamous and mate in the spring (March-April). Shortly after, the female gives birth to up to four offspring. The female otter may use delayed implantation, where the embryos' development is delayed until late fall. This is used to ensure food availability when the young are born. The newborn pups are silky black, blind, toothless and helpless. The pups stay with the mother for up to 6 months, or until the birth of a new litter. Sexual maturity is reached at 2 years; however, males may be ineffective breeders for several years.  Only the female cares for the offspring. The lifespan of a North American River otter is 10-15 years in the wild.

STATUS IN WILD
    Over hunting in the early part of the century caused the extinction and endangerment of the River otter in many parts. Even with reintroduction, populations are still low. Over 30,000 pelts are sold annually in the U.S. and Canada. North American River otters are now listed on the CITES Appendix II list.

 

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