North american river otters exist in small groups usually consisting of unrelated males or a mother and her cubs. Keywords river otters, vocal repertoire, vocalizations, lontra canadensis, otter pups, communication. Otters are playful animals, often seen burrowing through the snow, sliding through mud and splashing in the water. The river otter lutra canadensis is a member of the mustelidae or weasel family. They are still found in alaska and most of canada, in the. Occurs over most of north america, from alaska to newfoundland, and south to fl, tx, and ca. North aerican river otter lontra canadensis fun facts threats and conservation historically hunted for their fur, unregulated trappingin addition to habit loss and water quality issuesresulted in extirpations localized extinction or declines in otter populations across their range. Pdf classification of captive north american river otters lontra. Pdf scaledependent factors affecting north american. The north american river otter lontra canadensis occurs in streams, lakes and. In the literature, the scientific name for the north american river otter was lutra canadensis prior to 1998. North american river otter river otter is an oklahoma state species of special concern in the arkansas river system, whose populations may be increasing due to. North american river otter lontra canadensis on marthas vineyard, ma masters thesis, antioch new england university elizabeth baldwin, jon atwood, and luanne johnson the north american river otter is a high trophic level piscivore found in coastal and riverine environments and is considered a sentinel species for ecosystem health. Find north american river otter stock images in hd and millions of other royaltyfree stock photos, illustrations and vectors in the shutterstock collection.
The sacramento zoological society 3930 west land park dr. Biokids kids inquiry of diverse species, lontra canadensis. The north american river otter has a relatively standard mammalian carnivore digestive system. The one on the right is periscoping, a behavior characteristic of this semiaquatic species. One of subspecies of otter, the north american river otter is found from. Its fur ranges in color from white and gray to brown and black. The north american river otter lontra canadensis, also known as the northern river otter or. Twisting and turning in the water, the river otter family continues its game.
The north american river otter was once nearly eliminated in missouri, but thanks to restoration efforts, these powerful swimmers are once again found throughout most of the state. River otter north carolina wildlife resources commission. River otters are rambunctious, aquatic, streamlined mammals that spend much of their time in the water. Although reintroductions, trapping regulations and habitat improvements have led to the reestablishment of river otters in the. North american river otter lontra canadensis tag youre it. Iucnssc otter specialist group, otters in zoos, aquaria, rehabilitation, and wildlife sanctuaries oz task force. North american river otters belong to the weasel family, mustelidae, which they share with minks, weasels, badgers, wolverines, and other otter species, in the mammalian order carnivora. The northern river otter is the largest river otter in north america and canada. Social grooming in north american river otters springerlink. The north american river otter occurs in much of canada and the united states, except for portions of the southwest, and in mexico in the rio grande and colorado river delta areas.
North american river otter lutra canadensis description. The impact of water temperature on core body temperature of. It makes its home in a burrow near the waters edge, and can thrive in river, lake, swamp, or estuary ecosystems. River otters were once one of the most widely distributed mammals in the. Mostly midsized fish, though crustaceans, amphibians, mollusks, fruits, small mammals, reptiles and birds will be eaten if the opportunity presents itself diet at caldwell zoo. North american river otter husbandry manual, 2nd edition i.
North american river otter lontra australasian zoo keeping. Check out river otter falls, where a romp of agile otters have a spacious new home to enjoy. North american river otter smithsonians national zoo. One captive north american river otter lontra canadensis was presented four enrichment initiatives live fish, frozen fish, swim tube, pvc scent tubes in a random order and placement throughout the exhibit. This article will refer to the twelve species of river otter, information about sea otters can be viewed here. We received a three year old north american river otter named lulu. Three playful creatures slide down a muddy slope and fall into a pond.
This animals lovely waterproof pelt, which allows it to regulate its temperature, in the 1700s1800s, a regular part of french fur trade, has meant this animal has been hunted for hundreds of years. North american river otter national wildlife federation. River otters make use of dens created by other animals, including beavers, and always give birth to their young between february and april. The north american river otter is a member of the weasel family, mustelidae, along with minks and badgers. North american river otters are the only river otter that is found north of mexico. A family unit consists of a female and her pups, with. River otter description, habitat, image, diet, and. Fun facts north american river otters are fast on land and will also slide on their bellies on snow, ice or mud. Summary of husbandry guidelines for north american river. There are seven recognized subspecies of the american river otter. These otters inhabit essentially all bodies of water in alaska, parts of canada, and southern u.
Its thick, powerful tail makes up nearly 20 inches of that length. North american river otter an overview sciencedirect. Otters have suffered severely through habitat destruction, water pollution, misuse of pesticides, excessive. North american river otter lontra canadensis june 2019 river otters photographed on the nissequogue river. North american river otter lontra canadensis taxonomy.
It is an amphibious member of this family as are the mink and sea otter. Successful handrearing and rehabilitation of north american river otter lontra canadensis section 1 when to rehabilitate, young pup care, formula feeding, and weaning. In kansas, the species occurred along all the major rivers and many permanent streams. At the end of september, 2003, a new angel came into our life. North american river otters build dens in the burrows of other mammals, in natural hollows, such as under a log, or in river banks. North american river otter edition date 1142006 researched and written by the friends of the rosamond gifford zoo education volunteers history and conservation. Lontracanadensis introduction north american river otters lontra canadensisbelongtothe subfamily lutrinae within the family mustelidae. Environmental enrichment effects on the activity of a.
North american river otter iucn otter specialist group. North american river otters announcing a new addition. Human north american river otterlontra canadensis attack. An adult north american river otter can weigh between 5. Fur trapping in the 19th century brought river otter populations to very low populations, but they have returned to the healthy waterways and lakes of the pacific northwest. Pdf do alien north american mink compete for resources with.
Mustelidae features the adult north american river otter has a head. The natural recolonization of long island, new york by the. North american river otters lontra canadensis have relatively fluid social structures that can adapt to a wide range of ecological conditions with variable group composition beckel, 1991. North american river otter otters are playful animals, often seen burrowing through the snow, sliding through mud and splashing in the water. Abstract this is the first study to examine in detail the vocal behaviors of north american river otters. Like other mustelids, otters possess anal scent glands. The longer outer hairs, called guard hairs, are water repellent. These otters are frequently observed playing and sliding together. It has a long, smooth, streamlined body with short, powerful limbs. Successful handrearing and rehabilitation of north.
The north american river otter lontra canadensis is recovering from near extirpation throughout much of its range. Pdf human north american river otterlontra canadensis. These recommendations have a sound scientific basis or are the result of experience gained over many years of working with this species. The river otter has a streamlined flexible body, webbed feet, muscular tail, flattened head and short, thick neck. Underwater, their welldeveloped vibrissae, the large whiskers around the mouth and nose, help them sense prey. River otters can swim 7 to 8 miles per hour and can stay underwater for 3 to 6 minutes. North american river otters have been known to live up to 21 years in captivity and 89 years in the wild. Its scientific name is lontra canadensis, which means otter belonging to canada, although this otter species range includes much more of north america than. Pdf human north american river otterlontra canadensis attack. River otters can tolerate a variety of environments, including cold and warmer latitudes and high elevations. We will have to model north american river otter on them if we want this article to pass ga and fa status. Here are a few of the animals that call the erie zoo home. The giant otter or giant river otter pteronura brasiliensis is a south american carnivorous mammal.
North american river otters have a keen sense of smell, in addition to good eyesight and hearing. Prior to 1900, degradation of water quality and habitat, human encroachment, and unregulated harvest led to a 75 percent decline in north american otter populations. American river otter lutra canadensis lataxina the american river otter is a graceful and beautiful addition to many north carolina rivers. In the wild, their average life span is 8 or 9 years. River otter fact sheet wildlife resources division. Sighting one can be an exciting occasion for boaters.
Classification of captive north american river otters. In captivity, north american river otters can live into their 20s. North american river otter naro, also known as the nearctic otter in wildlife facilities. The story of the resurgence of river otters in north america is one of the greatest success stories of modern wildlife conservation. Sliding on slippery slopes and splashing around in the water are common games mothers play with their young. The otters were then subjected to a washing protocol to simulate rehabilitation following an oil spill contamination. These hydrodynamic members of the weasel family are voracious predators. Its not all play, though, and soon the animals begin to hunt for fish in the murky water. The american river otter is a graceful and beautiful addition to many north carolina rivers. It can weigh up to 30 pounds and as long as 60 inches long when fully grown. This amphibious mammal in the weasel family is well adapted to both land and water inhabiting lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds of north america. Otter pups tend to come into rehabilitation facilities most often when they are old. The regional subspecies lontra canadensis pacifica.
The playful north american river otter is equally at home in the water and on land. They can thrive in any water habitat, such as ponds, marshes, lakes, rivers, and estuariesin cold, warm, or even highelevation areasas long as the habitat. North american river otters lontra canadensisdiscriminate. North american river otter an overview sciencedirect topics. Pdf this is the first study to examine in detail the vocal behaviors of north american river otters lontra canadensis, and the results suggest. As soon as the first edition of the north american river otter husbandry notebook was completed additional. The north american river otter is highly adapted for aquatic life. An annotated bibliography on the north american river otter, lutra canadensis. North american river otter lontra canadensis kingdom. It is the longest member of the weasel family, mustelidae, a globally successful group of predators, reaching up to 1. Pdf scaledependent factors affecting north american river.
When laying straight they measure between 3 to 4 feet in length. Abundance otters are found primarily in the coastal plain, where they can be fairly common to locally common around estuaries, lower portions of rivers, large creeks, and. The otters sleek, streamlined coat consists of short, thick, dark brown fur with the exception of a reddish yellow colored stomach. North american river otter chicago zoological society. North american river otter lafayette, in official website.
The adult northern river otter in montana weighs around 20 pounds and measures close to 47 inches long. They have thick guard fur with dense oil under the fur and the coloration is a dark brown with. Classification of captive north american river otters lontra. North american river otters are often found in groups. They are mostly dark brown in color with a light tan on the muzzle.
All animals within a group were observed simultaneously. Sighting one can be an exciting occasion for boaters, fishermen and other outdoor enthusiasts because of the creatures secretive nature and relative rarity in some waters. American mink mustela vison, originally bred in fur farms, have become established in areas occupied by native endangered southern river otter lontra provocax, in patagonia. Common names for river otters in north america include northern river otter, canadian otter, land otter, and fish otter toweill and tabor 1982. See her picture to the left she was sought to become a new companion for petey, who lost his and my dearly beloved penny a few months before. Nov 19, 2019 the north american river otter once occurred in streams, lakes, reservoirs, wetlands, and along coastlines from alaska through canada into all but the most arid areas of the united states. North american river otters once occupied most of north america. In accordance with european experience, this biological invasion in south. Carnivores have a simple and short digestive system as they dont need be as efficient at extracting nutrients from their food as herbivores or omnivores which will already have done the extraction for the river otters when they are consumed as their prey white et al. The north american river otter is a member of the weasel family. North american river otters give birth once annually, or biennially, usually between the months of january and june with the earlier part of the range being in the southernmost latitudes.
Otters have nictitating membranes, specially adapted. Otter furbearers furharvesting hunting kdwpt kdwpt. The erie zoo is home to over 400 animals representing 100 different species. North american river otter amazing facts river otters can hold their breath for as long as four minutes. The north american river otter is the most abundant otter species, but surprisingly little is known about its life in the wild. The species has webbed feet, and long claws for digging and hunting. Article pdf available in wilderness and environmental medicine 181. North american river otters seem to be sensitive to pollution and disappear from areas with polluted waters. North american river otter by ellen lawrence overdrive.
River otters semiaquatic and have long, slender bodies. Wetlands freshwater and brackish, rivers, lakes and coasts of canada and the united states. They have been observed wrestling, chasing other otters, diving for rocks and clamshells, swimming with pebbles or other small objects balanced on their noses, toying with live prey and sliding down mud banks or snow banks. The north american river otter has completely webbed feet which are great for running and swimming. North american river otters, also called canadian otters, have long, muscular, streamlined bodies with short legs and fully webbed feet bearing non. Over time, otters were reduced to less than 33% of their historic range in the lower 48 states by overharvesting for their fur, habitat loss and water pollution. They have thick guard fur with dense oil under the fur and the coloration is a dark brown. Small eyes and ears, a broad, flattened head, long cylindrical form, and four webbed feet suit it for its semiaquatic life. While many states experienced declines in river otter densities, distribution, and in some cases extirpation in the mid 1800s 1900s, georgias. Food habits of the river otter in suisun marsh, central california pdf. The animal slides down mud and snow seemingly for the sheer delight of it. River otters have a brown fur on the back with a paler shade of brown on their bellies. If resources are plentiful, the species can form larger groups as well. Ten north american river otters lutra canadensis were anesthetized with telazol and instrumented with ingestable radiotelemetry temperature sensors for measuring core body temperature.
The developed tactile senses such as sensitive facial vibrissae. Pdf do alien north american mink compete for resources. The north american river otter lontra canadensis, also known as the northern river otter or the common otter, is a semiaquatic mammal endemic to the north american continent found in and along its waterways and coasts. Although they are solitary, otters make a variety of vocalizations. North american river otter river otter is an oklahoma state species of special concern in the arkansas river system, whose populations may be increasing due to stocking programs. Pdf as a result of the successful restoration and conservation programs deployed by state and federal agencies, populations of the north.
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