The impoundments from Aliceville Lake downstream to . 2015). You can copy this taxon into another guide. Most (n = 31, 63.3%) states used multiple methods to monitor river otter populations. The North American River Otter has a long, sleek body with a long, tapered tail covered in short, dense dark brown fur. [23], Like other otters, the North American river otter lives in a holt, or den, constructed in the burrows of other animals, or in natural hollows, such as under a log or in river banks. It is also possible that we underestimated the geographic extent of the range given that presence is unknown in some counties, particularly in arid regions, and these areas were excluded from our estimate. They have sharp canine teeth to catch and hold their prey. Official Web Site of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, 2023 Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, 64 N. Union Street, Suite 468 - Montgomery, Alabama 36130, Physically Disabled Hunting and Fishing Trail, https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=467475161060988&ev=PageView&noscript=1. They are born blind and remain in the den to nurse for the first month. Although methodologies and sampling scales differed from the approach used in our assessment, comparisons of land areas occupied during each period provided a coarse-scale basis for estimates of population expansion or retraction during an 18-y period. North American river otters are very susceptible to the effects of environmental pollution, which is a likely factor in the continued decline of their numbers. 2008). Their legs are short with webbed feet and claws. The River Otter is a river that rises in the Blackdown Hills just inside the county of Somerset, England near Otterford, then flows south through East Devon. Catch-per-unit effort, population models, and presence vs. absence indices, such as bowhunter surveys and track surveys, were used less frequently (Table 1). It enters the English Channel at the western end of Lyme Bay, part of the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.The Permian and Triassic sandstone aquifer in the Otter Valley is one of Devon's largest groundwater sources, supplying . kodiak river otter. [32][34] The most common amphibians recognized were frogs (Rana and Hyla). 2003) using ArcMap (ESRI 2011). Responses for population trends included increasing, stable, or decreasing (although we did not specify the timeframe). EDITORIAL. 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). Where an otter looks seal-like, a mink looks ferret-like, however. Some variation is to be expected because each jurisdiction has different resources and priorities for wildlife programs. 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. Daniel Toole, Wildlife Biologist, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. The river otter is adapted for both land and water with short legs, webbed toes, and a strong, flattened tail. A river otter chews on a chunk of raw fish during feeding time at the Florida Aquarium in Tampa in 2021.. Lontra canadensis. Other species of otters live on every continent except Australia and Antarctica. [34] A 1994 river otter study reported findings of beaver remains in 27 of 1,191 scats analyzed. More than one-third of U.S. fish and wildlife species are at risk of extinction in the coming decades. (c) Diddlecome Dawcock, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND). [29] For instance, Catostomidae are the primary dietary component of North American river otters in Colorado's Upper Colorado River Basin. Physical Description They have very streamlined bodies, with a well-muscled tail; both aid in swimming. Diet: Primarily consumes fish, mollusks and other invertebrates. This kind of pollution could deplete the food supply for the otters. [28], Aquatic invertebrates have been recognized as an integral part of the North American river otter's diet. A group of otters is called a romp of otters. River otters are omnivorous, eating mostly aquatic organisms, including fish, frogs, crayfish, turtles, insects and some small mammals. Their fur is dark brown over much of the body, and lighter brown on the belly and face. Female North American river otters give birth in these burrows, producing litters of one to six young. (1996) and suggest that jurisdictions that allow harvest should collect information on the distribution of harvest, some measure of participation or effort, and, ideally, some estimate of age-structure of the harvest. [1], Oil spills present a localized threat to otter populations, especially in coastal areas. 2003). October 29 - February 28. [26][32][33] Bottom-dwelling species, which have the tendency to remain immobile until a predator is very close, are susceptible to North American river otters. [34] Fish remnants were found in 91.9% of the samples. A North American river otter's main requirements are a steady food supply and easy access to a body of water. In 4 seconds, you will be redirected to nwfactionfund.org, the site of the National Wildlife Action Fund, a 501(c)(4) organization. [33], Although they consume birds, North American river otters do not feed on bird eggs. 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. Houghton Mifflin Co., New York, NY. [56] Trappers in Alberta, Canada commonly assert North American river otters are major predators of North American beavers. north american river otter. [23][16], North American river otters characteristically approach within a few feet of a boat or a person on shore because they're near-sighted, a consequence of vision adapted for underwater sight. The Birmingham Zoo North American river otters are Slim, a male weighing in at 8.0kg (17.5 lbs), andLenora, afemale weighing in at 7.3kg (16 lbs.). Citation: Roberts NM, Lovallo MJ, Crimmins SM. The gestation period is only about two months after this delayand litter size is one to five pups, usually two, between February and April. Nevertheless, these results provide an empirical, albeit coarse, contemporary estimate of river otter range in the United States. The Smithsonian Book of North American Mammals. Description of metadata is included. Recently, long-term genetic consequences of reintroduction projects on remnant North American river otter populations has been discussed. [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. Methods of population monitoring included bridge surveys (presence vs. absence track surveys conducted at bridge crossings), harvest surveys, bowhunter surveys, camera surveys, winter track surveys, population models from harvest data, harvest effort, and agency field questionnaires (for detailed descriptions of these methods, we direct readers to Chilelli et al. [31][33], Mammals are rarely consumed by North American river otters, and are not a major dietary component. Otters also help fisherman by eating the less desirable species of fish that compete with the more desirable and profitable fish. Probably present statewide in association with rivers, creeks, and lakes, especially open water bordered with wooded habitat. [15][16] The New World river otters originated from the Old World river otters following a migration across the Bering Land Bridge, which existed off and on between 1.8million and 10,000 years ago. Mammals of North America. River Otters are good swimmers and divers, able to stay underwater for up to eight minutes. Assessments of river otter populations within the contiguous United States have occurred periodically since their inclusion in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (e.g., Polechla 1990, Raesly 2001, Melquist et al. Estimated range of river otters Lontra canadensis in the United States during 2016 compared with 1998 (estimated from Melquist et al. They can drink while under water due to a special valve in their nose. [33] Every study done on the food habits of the North American river otter has identified varying fish species as being the primary component of its diet. Crait, J.R. et al. 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. River Otters are good swimmers and divers, able to stay underwater for up to eight minutes. Birmingham, AL 35223. We're on the ground in seven regions across the country, collaborating with 52 state and territory affiliates to reverse the crisis and ensure wildlife thrive. River otters are also valued as a game species and furbearer (Melquist et al. 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. Current status of populations unknown. CREATIVE. Although state wildlife-management agencies use a variety of techniques to monitor changes in river otter population size and distribution, regulated harvest-management programs provide the foundation for the much of the population monitoring that occurs. North American river otters are not scavengers; they avoid consuming carrion (dead animals). This expansion was facilitated by restoration programs as well as natural dispersal and expansion of established populations. 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. North American river otter A pair at the San Francisco Zooin 2005 Conservation status Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1] CITESAppendix II (CITES)[1] Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Mustelidae Genus: Lontra Species: L. canadensis Binomial name Lontra canadensis (Schreber, 1777) Although populations may continue to increase numerically, river otters may be approaching their potential geographic distribution in the United States. Ten states indicated that they had reintroduced river otters to establish populations that had been extirpated (Table 1). [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. If there is no evidence of otters in a body of water it could mean that the body of water has been polluted or is unhealthy. Since 1976, over 4,000 otters have been reintroduced in 21 U.S. 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. Like fishers, martens, and mink, they have long, slender bodies, short limbs, and a short face, plus a set of adaptations for their aquatic lifestyle: an oily, waterproof coat, webbed toes, and small external ears. Do not throw any kind of trash, fertilizers, or poisons into any body of water. 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. The river otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur. ); Cyprinidae, made up of carp (Cyprinus spp. The smallest otter species is the Asian small-clawed otter, and the largest species, with two tied for first, is the giant otter and the sea otter. The majority of these projects were implemented in the mid-1980s and were completed by the late 1990s; only two states (New York and Pennsylvania) were actively engaged in reintroductions during 1998 (Raesly 2001). Deems and Pursley (1978), estimated that river otters occupied 71% of their historical range during 1977; by 1998, river otter populations had expanded and were thought to occupy 90% of their prior range (Melquist et al. TheNorth Americanriver otter (Lutra canadensis) is a member of the weasel family. River otter dens are along the water in abandoned burrows or empty hollows. [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. As a result, slow-swimming fish are consumed more often than game fishes when both are equally available. Reintroduction of river otters may present a problem in that it may contaminate the genetic structure of the native population.[1]. [16], North American river otters consume an extensive assortment of fish species ranging in size from 2 to 50 centimeters (0.79 to 19.69in) that impart sufficient caloric intake for a minute amount of energy expenditure. 2018). . [34] However, many other studies did not report any findings of North American beaver remains in the scat sampled. This continued numeric and geographic expansion was fostered by conservation management programs by state and federal agencies, natural dispersal and expansion of existing populations into increasingly suitable habitats, and reintroduction efforts by state wildlife agencies and conservation partnerships (Raesly 2001). In the Zoo, they eat meat, eggs, carrots, variety of fish (trout, catfish, herring, capelin, smelt). Prior to the arrival of the next litter, the North American river otter yearlings venture out in search of their own home ranges.[44]. [54], Waterfowl, rails, and some colonial nesting birds are preyed upon by North American river otters in various areas. Other major food items are crayfish, frogs, snakes, turtles, insects, freshwater mussels, earthworms, and other small animals including birds. The river otter was included as an Appendix II species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora in 1977 as a result of concern that endangered otter species, such as Pteronura brasiliensis, could be misidentified as river otter because of a similar superficial appearance, which could lead to unintentional trade of endangered species; however, it is important to note that the river otter itself has never been considered a globally threatened or endangered species (Greenwalt 1977). When hunting for food in the water, otters can remain submerged for up to eight minutes. [1] Otters have recently re-established themselves on Prince Edward Island. County-level distribution of river otter Lontra canadensis in the United States estimated by state wildlife agencies in in 2016 (Alaska does not have county-level data and there is no occurrence in Hawaii). CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (, different non-sexual physical characteristics, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T12302A164577078.en, "Expert says otter attacks are rare after St. Pete dog killed", "Dog attacked by otters in Lakewood, homeowners say", "7 Surprising Facts About the Giant River Otter", "Multigene phylogeny of the Mustelidae: Resolving relationships, tempo and biogeographic history of a mammalian adaptive radiation", 10.1644/1545-1410(2002)712<0001:LM>2.0.CO;2, "Parasites as probes for prehistoric human migrations? Their legs are short with webbed feet and claws. For many years otters have been hunted for their fur. We reiterate Chilelli et al. By continuing to use our website, you are agreeing to, Submit to Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management, Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management: Online Early, Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management: Current and Available Issues, Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management: Cover Gallery, https://doi.org/10.3996/102018-JFWM-093.S1, https://doi.org/10.3996/102018-JFWM-093.S2. Mink, Muskrat, Otter, and Striped Skunk. As populations grow and expand, it is reasonable to assume that some jurisdictions may shift monitoring resources toward less secure species. [16], North American river otters can live 2125 years in captivity,[23][16] or 813 years in the wild. River otters have a high dispersal capacity and are capable of extensive long-distance movements over land, including mountainous terrain and across watersheds (Magoun and Valkenburg 1977, Melquist and Hornocker 1983). [10], The North American river otter has long whiskers that are used to detect prey in dark waters. Chanticleer Press, Inc. 937 pp. Their ears are small and almost inconspicuous. [1], Lontra canadensis is listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The North American River Otter has a long, sleek body with a long, tapered tail covered in short, dense dark brown fur. 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. Mating season depends on the latitude in which the otter was born. They have long bodies, short limbs, and rich glossy coats. 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. Otter play mostly consists of wrestling with conspecifics. Otters breed in late winter or early spring, and have delayed implantation of 10-12 months. In the absence of harvest-dependent data, presenceabsence data (such as track surveys), can indicate population distribution and trajectories (Roberts et al. 132 River Otters Playing Premium High Res Photos Browse 132 river otters playing stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. River Otters can be thought of - and in a very real sense are - semi-aquatic weasels. As per the North American Model of wildlife conservation, river otters are held in the public trust by the government and are managed by state and federal agencies as well as by native tribes (Mahoney and Geist 2019). We thank the many state natural resource agencies for their responses and cooperation. North American river otters have a transparent inner eyelid (called a nictitating membrane) to protect their eyes while swimming.[10][24][25]. Chasing is also a common game. Fish are a favorite food, but they also eat amphibians, turtles, and crayfish. Life on Land On. An entrance, which may be under water or above ground, leads to a nest chamber lined with leaves, grass, moss, bark, and hair. The tail makes up approximately 40 percent of the otters total length, which ranges from three to four-and-one-half feet. North American river otters also currently inhabit coastal regions throughout the United States and Canada. Found at DOI: https://doi.org/10.3996/102018-JFWM-093.S2 (38 KB XLSX). [30] However, river otters will prey on trout, pike, walleye (Sander vitreus vitreus), salmon (Oncorhynchus spp. Sometimes they eat aquatic plants. A Wisconsin zoo recently welcomed some adorable new additions to its family: three baby North American river otters. [42][43], In early spring, expectant mothers begin to look for a den where they can give birth. [27], North American river otters are renowned for their sense of play. 2003), excluding Alaska. However, urbanization and pollution instigated reductions in range area. Even in larger bodies of water, river otters may take disproportional advantage of any seasonal concentrations of fish when and where only very limited areas of suitable spawning, low-flow, or over-wintering habitat may exist. An otters home range may be as small as five miles to as large as 40 miles. Continued monitoring of the population status and distribution at state and national levels would likely detect any significant changes should they occur. Although populations may continue to increase numerically, river otters may be approaching their potential maximum geographic distribution in the United States. 1996. Otters are very secretive and shy and would rather run away than attack. [41], Delayed implantation distinguishes the species from the European otter, which does not do this.