North American River Otter

The North American river otter, 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. An adult North American river otter can weigh between 5.0 and 14 kg. River otters tend to be solitary and fairly territorial. Avoidance is a very significant factor in river otter social behavior. River otters defend their territories by marking, scratching, and occasionally fighting. Male river otters ignore females and young through most of the year. Bobcats, alligators, coyotes, raptors, and other large predators will sometimes prey on North American river otters. River otters eat a variety of aquatic wildlife, such as fish, crayfish, crabs, frogs, birds' eggs, birds and reptiles such as turtles. River otters eat mostly aquatic organisms, including fish, frogs, crayfish, turtles, insects and some small mammals. They hunt singly or in pairs and although otters generally forage in water, they are equally at home on land, sometimes traveling between 10 and 18 miles (16 and 29 kilometers) in search of food. North American river otters have playful, sociable personalities. They love sliding down icy or muddy slopes, especially when their routes land them in the water. These otters also display curiosity; they approach new visitors with their noses held high in suspicion.

Mass: 18 lbs (Adult)

Trophic level: Carnivorous

Scientific name: Lontra canadensis

Gestation period: 58 days

Conservation status: Least Concern (Population stable)

Length: 2.2 ft. (Adult)

Family: Mustelidae