[45] In 2010, the Colorado Department of Wildlife reported the species, reintroduced in the 1980s, was "thriving" and recommended its protection status be reconsidered. When the pups are about two months old and their coats grow in, their mother introduces them to the water. River otters were legally harvested in 40 states, while closed harvest seasons existed in 9 states; Arizona, California, Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming (Table 1). Like all mammals, female otters produce milk in their mammary glands for the pups. You will often see an otter swimming for a distance up a river, popping its head out to look in your direction. North American river otter populations span the North American continent from east to west, extending across 45 states from southern Florida to northern Alaska and all Canadian provinces except Prince Edward Island. [33] Otters have been found to consume invasive Asian carp. The female otters do not dig their own dens; instead, they rely on other animals, such as beavers, to provide suitable environments to raise their offspring. (2003) suggested as potential' range in their 1998 assessment of 5,556,200 km2. ); darters (Etheostoma spp. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. The torpedo shaped body the otter has allows it to cut through the water in a smooth and fast manner. [16], North American river otters can live 2125 years in captivity,[23][16] or 813 years in the wild. Table S1. [1] Otters have recently re-established themselves on Prince Edward Island. In the past, their soft and attractive fur could be sold for a decent amount of money. [20], The mothers raise their young without aid from adult males. At about two months they begin to venture out of the den to play and to learn how to swim and hunt. [50] The few occurrences of mammals found in the North American river otter's diet include: muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus); meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus); eastern cottontails (Sylvilagus floridanus); and snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus). North American river otters are not scavengers; they avoid consuming carrion (dead animals). Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 10 June 2020; 11 (1): 279286. CREATIVE. ); Cyprinidae, made up of carp (Cyprinus spp. River otter Lontra canadensis populations in the United States have expanded during the past 50 y as a result of improvements in habitat quality and effective management programs implemented by state and federal agencies and native tribes. [50] Likewise, the common carp (Cyprinus carpio) is a preferred fish species for the North American river otter in other regions of Colorado. River otters historically inhabited every major watershed in the contiguous United States and were extirpated from much of their historical range as a result of multiple factors including habitat degradation and destruction as well as unregulated harvest (Anderson 1977). [32] The North American river otters have also been known to catch and consume moulting American wigeon (Mareca americana) and green-winged teal (Anas crecca). Some variation is to be expected because each jurisdiction has different resources and priorities for wildlife programs. Only one state, Utah, had conducted river otter reintroductions since 2010. 2003). Similarly, it is possible that false-negatives occurred, particularly at lower population densities. Although populations may continue to increase numerically, river otters may be approaching their potential maximum geographic distribution in the United States. https://doi.org/10.3996/102018-JFWM-093. Similarly, we estimated that river otters occupied approximately 5,000,550 km2nearly 63% of the land area of the contiguous United Statesand that the potential river otter range was approaching 5,556,200 km2. A North American river otter's main requirements are a steady food supply and easy access to a body of water. Photo Credit: U.S. [23], Aquatic life ties North American river otters almost exclusively to permanent watersheds. Queries should be directed to the corresponding author for the article. 2020. giant river otter. This kind of pollution could deplete the food supply for the otters. 271 pp. 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. River otters, members of the weasel family, hunt at night and feed on whatever might be available. 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. As of 2016, >4,000 river otters have been translocated to 23 states in one of the most ambitious and extensive carnivore restoration efforts in history (Erb et al. Their fur is dark brown over much of the body, and lighter brown on the belly and face. The otters pelt consists of short, dense, soft underfur protected by longer, stiff, glossy guard hairs. They were extirpated from portions of their range, but conservation and reintroduction efforts are helping populations to recover. The first River Otter that I have seen and I visit the area daily. Giant otters live in South America, throughout the Orinoco, Amazon and La Plata River systems (mostly in the northern half of South America). Within states that harvested otters, regulations concerning river otter harvest seasons were reviewed and adjusted regularly. North American river otters were hunted and trapped extensively for their fur in the 19th and 20th centuries, and are still hunted in some places. Promoting more-inclusive outdoor experiences for all. 2008). Do not throw any kind of trash, fertilizers, or poisons into any body of water. 1980. 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). [26] Additional premolars may be present. [11], In a new classification, the species is called Lontra canadensis, where the genus Lontra includes all the New World river otters. Preceding the settlement of North America by Europeans, North American river otters were prevalent among aquatic habitats throughout most of the continent. [10], The North American river otter has long whiskers that are used to detect prey in dark waters. A river otter chews on a chunk of raw fish during feeding time at the Florida Aquarium in Tampa in 2021.. Our survey indicated that <50% of the river otter reintroductions implemented in the United States were in areas where otters had been extirpated. Two states (Connecticut and Tennessee) reported that regulations are reviewed every 4 to 5 years. South Carolina and Texas reported that harvest regulations are never reviewed. In the winter, crayfish made up one-third of the North American river otter's diet. 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). 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. River Otters can be thought of - and in a very real sense are - semi-aquatic weasels. [36], North American river otters may prefer to feed on crustaceans, especially crayfish (Cambarus, Pacifasticus, and others) and crabs[52] more than fish where they are locally and seasonally plentiful. Of the 40 states that incorporate harvest management programs, the majority used data from regulated harvest seasons (e.g., surveys of trappers, estimates of trapper effort, or collection of biological samples to estimate demographic and health parameters) to monitor river otter populations and to ensure that harvest levels were sustainable. They are born blind and remain in the den to nurse for the first month. River otter dens are along the water in abandoned burrows or empty hollows. Subject: River Otter Status, Management, and Distribution in the United States: Evidence of Large-Scale Population Increase and Range Expansion, (Optional message may have a maximum of 1000 characters.). Based on maps published by Melquist et al. River otters breed in late winter or early spring. River otter dens are along the water in abandoned burrows or empty hollows. Chanticleer Press, Inc. 937 pp. 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). Bobcats, alligators, coyotes, raptors, and other large predators will sometimes prey on North American river otters. LIFEHISTORY AND ECOLOGY: They feed on crayfish, crabs, fish, birds, small mammals, and some aquatic plants. Females are roughly one-third the size of males. River otters in Yellowstone Lake depend on a declining . A group of otters is called a romp of otters. The American river otter is a graceful and beautiful addition to many North Carolina rivers. [28] Otters are known to take larger fish on land to eat, whereas smaller fish are consumed in the water. 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. 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). Other restoration efforts were conducted to bolster existing river otter populations and to expand otter distributions and provide connectivity within states that had existing, but not ubiquitous, river otter populations (Table 1). [29] For instance, Catostomidae are the primary dietary component of North American river otters in Colorado's Upper Colorado River Basin. Bobcats, alligators, coyotes, raptors, and other large predators will sometimes prey on North American river otters. River otters line their dens with leaves, moss, and grass. 2015). American Midland Naturalist 156: 189-192. River otters were legally harvested in 40 states as of 2016. However, urbanization and pollution instigated reductions in range area. north american river otter. [34] Most aquatic invertebrates preyed upon by the otters are from the families Odonata (dragonfly nymphs), Plecoptera (stonefly nymphs), and Coleoptera (adult beetles). North American river otters can close their nostrils to keep water out during long dives. We also thank the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies for logistical assistance. 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. As of 2016, 23 states had conducted river otter reintroductions. Even the otters at the zoo have chosen their own latrine sights. Litter size ranges anywhere from one to five pups. 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. For many years otters have been hunted for their fur. Citation: Roberts NM, Lovallo MJ, Crimmins SM. [33] Crustaceans (crayfish), where regionally available, are the second-most important prey for otters. Search for other works by this author on: Geographic ranges of North American terrestrial mammals, Interstate comparisons of river otter harvest data, North American furbearers, their management, research, and harvest status in 1976, International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, [ESRI] Environmental Systems Research Institute, International trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora, The North American model of wildlife conservation, Ecology of river otters in West Central Idaho, Wild mammals of North America: biology, management and conservation. [28] Physical Description They have very streamlined bodies, with a well-muscled tail; both aid in swimming. Young otter pups attain sexual maturity at two years of age and at that time are driven away to establish their own territory. ), daces (Rhinichthys spp. Junior League of Birmingham Hugh Kaul Childrens Zoo Alabama Wilds Trail. Their playful snow and mud sliding, tail chasing, water play, and snow burrowing activities also serve other purposesthey help strengthen social bonds and let young otters practice hunting techniques. (c) Diddlecome Dawcock, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND). [2008], and Roberts [2010]). [22], Its whiskers (vibrissae) are long and thick, enhancing their senses. doi: https://doi.org/10.3996/102018-JFWM-093. It has more species of fish than any other river of its size in North America.It supports 139 rare and imperiled species,including ten fish and mussel species listed under the US Endangered Species Act. [1], Oil spills present a localized threat to otter populations, especially in coastal areas. Mating season depends on the latitude in which the otter was born. Life on Land On. ), chubs (Semotilus spp. Air trapped within the fur acts as insulation when the otter is submerged. River otters can be found swimming all over in the state's creeks, lakes and ponds. Reintroduction projects have expanded their distribution in recent years, especially in the Midwestern United States. 1996. We thank the many state natural resource agencies for their responses and cooperation. [30][31] Mammals preyed upon by North American river otters are characteristically small or are a type species found in riparian zones. Their gestational period can last anywhere from two months to one year, as otters are capable of delayed implantation. 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. 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. When river otter presence was unknown in a county, which could occur where there is no harvest or monitoring effort (i.e., arid or remote regions), we recorded presence in those counties as unknown.' Males are generally larger than females. North American river otters are mainly fish eaters. [2], North American river otters, like most predators, prey upon the most readily accessible species. Identification. Nevertheless, these results provide an empirical, albeit coarse, contemporary estimate of river otter range in the United States. kodiak river otter. Fish and Wildlife Service. [34] A 1994 river otter study reported findings of beaver remains in 27 of 1,191 scats analyzed. Their tails are muscular, dorsally flattened and tapered. Its tail is furred but longer and more streamlined than a mink's. The otter's face is roundish, almost dog-like. [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. Also, North American river otters have large molars used for crushing hard objects, such as the shells of molluscs. 2004. Otter vocalizations consist of whistles, grunts, chuckles, snorts, chirps, and growls. By the early 1900s, North American river otter populations had declined throughout large portions of their historic range in North America. Catch-per-unit effort, population models, and presence vs. absence indices, such as bowhunter surveys and track surveys, were used less frequently (Table 1). [31][33], Mammals are rarely consumed by North American river otters, and are not a major dietary component. Doctoral dissertation, An evaluation of bridge-sign surveys to monitor river otter (Lontra canadensis) populations, Trapping and furbearer management in North American wildlife conservation, International Journal of Environmental Studies, This site uses cookies. editors of this guide it should copy everything, but if you're not, it They have also been known to eat aquatic plants and to prey on other small mammals, such as muskrats or rabbits. Habitat They live in still or slow moving fresh water rivers, lakes and creeks. Otters are very secretive and shy and would rather run away than attack. We tallied responses to these questions and reported frequency of responses. (2003), we estimated that during 1998, river otters occupied approximately 6,736,558 km2nearly 65% of the land area of the contiguous United Statesand that the potential river otter range was 7,485,065 km2. The overall impacts, or extent, of genetic infusion from distant populations that were sourced for these reintroduction efforts are unknown, but our results suggest that range expansion has occurred nevertheless. The North American River Otter has a long, sleek body with a long, tapered tail covered in short, dense dark brown fur. Probably present statewide in association with rivers, creeks, and lakes, especially open water bordered with wooded habitat. River otters use their powerful hind feet to help with propulsion and their small, dexterous front feet for paddling through the water. 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. 1987. The impoundments from Aliceville Lake downstream to . Only four statesNevada, Rhode Island, Utah, and Wyomingdid not report any monitoring efforts. 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