Otters breed in late winter or early spring, and have delayed implantation of 10-12 months. They once lived in streams, rivers, lakes, swamps, and coastal areas throughout Canada and the United States. The mammals have thick, protective fur to help them keep warm while swimming in cold waters. The species is widely distributed throughout its range. [16] The dental formula is 3.1.4.13.1.3.2. 1980. Harvest-based surveys were the most commonly used monitoring approach, being used by 35 states (Table 1). You can copy this taxon into another guide. 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. 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. North American river otters are mainly fish eaters. 1999. Native Habitat 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. River otter Lontra canadensis population and regulatory status, population monitoring methods used, intent and outcome of reintroduction efforts, and frequency of harvest regulation reviews in 49 states (Hawaii excluded) within the United States in 2016. When the mothers have established their domains, they give birth to several kits. North American river otters are mainly fish eaters. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 11(1):279286; e1944-687X. They first learn to swim after about two months. They have sharp canine teeth to catch and hold their prey. Their thick fur helps to protect their skin from the water and allows them to withstand cold weather. River otters were legally harvested in 40 states as of 2016. Identification. Their gestational period can last anywhere from two months to one year, as otters are capable of delayed implantation. Water pollution and other diminution of aquatic and wetland habitats may limit distribution and pose long-term threats if the enforcement of water quality standards is not upheld. Females will utilize a den in a mud bank or fallen tree trunk near the water for a nest location. Instead of actually trying to spot an otter, researchers look for what they call latrine sights. Otters will always go back to the same few spots in their home range to defecate; this is what is known as a latrine sights. Now they are gone from the central and eastern United States, and extinct or rare in Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, and West Virginia. For many years otters have been hunted for their fur. 2006. Male North American river otters do not seem to be territorial, and newly dispersing males may join established male groups. They are fast, agile swimmers and able to out-maneuver their prey. [34] A 1994 river otter study reported findings of beaver remains in 27 of 1,191 scats analyzed. [32][50] Susceptibility of these species is greatest during the summer (when waterfowl broods are vulnerable) and autumn. Their legs are short with webbed feet and claws. [26] Other fish an integral part of the North American river otters' diets are those that are often plentiful and found in large schools: sunfish (Lepomis spp. 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. North American river otters only settle in areas that consist of vegetation, rock piles, and sufficient coverage. By the early 1900s river otters had been completely extirpated from 11 states and had experienced severe population declines in 9 other states (Deems and Pursley 1978). They have short legs, webbed feet for faster swimming, and a long, narrow body and flattened head for streamlined movement in the water. The river otter is considerably larger, reaching several feet in length. Based on maps published by Melquist et al. Most researchers specifically focusing on otters rarely actually see any wild otters. Habitat: Riparianliving or located near a body of water. 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. beaver river otter. We estimated that river otter range in the continental United States expanded by 10.2% during this period (Table 3). We assessed geographic distribution in each state based on a county basis; Alaska does not have county jurisdictions, so we gathered information via a phone interview to assess geographic distribution (Alaska Department of Fish and Game, personal communication). The Ontario Trappers Association, 1150 pp. River otters can be found swimming all over in the state's creeks, lakes and ponds. Results from this 2016 assessment provide the most recent account of river otter status and distribution in United States to our knowledge. An adult river otter can weigh between 5.0and14kg (11.0and 31lb). Chanticleer Press, Inc. 937 pp. 2003), excluding Alaska. Found at DOI: https://doi.org/10.3996/102018-JFWM-093.S1 (599 KB PDF). They can drink while under water due to a special valve in their nose. If you are one of the We also thank the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies for logistical assistance. Little effort has gone into assessing the threat of disease to wild North American river otter populations, so it is poorly understood and documented. [1], Oil spills present a localized threat to otter populations, especially in coastal areas. 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. They are very flexible and can make sharp, sudden turns that help them catch fish. ), shiners (Notropis and Richardsonius spp. Otters have five toes and the heel pad tends to be somewhat horseshoe shaped. North American river otters are not scavengers; they avoid consuming carrion (dead animals). Figure S1. 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. [34] Fish remnants were found in 91.9% of the samples. Estimated range of river otters Lontra canadensis in the United States during 2016 compared with 1998 (estimated from Melquist et al. Smithsonian Institution Press. Washington, D.C. 750 pp. They can thrive in any water habitat, such as ponds, marshes, lakes, rivers, and estuariesin cold, warm, or even high-elevation areasas long as the habitat provides adequate food. [30][31] Mammals preyed upon by North American river otters are characteristically small or are a type species found in riparian zones. Fish and Wildlife Service, through the Division of Scientific Authority, housed in the International Affairs Program, has routinely determined that the export of river otter pelts and products from the United States has not been detrimental to their viability, thus satisfying the conditions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora agreement (Bowman et al. Females are approximately one-third smaller than males. To compare estimates of occupied area in 1998 with our survey results, we digitized published maps depicting river otter distribution during 1998 (Melquist et al. This means they likely arrived in the Americas at a similar time as humans,[17] meaning humans were an important part of their natural ecosystem from the moment otters arrived. Found at DOI: https://doi.org/10.3996/102018-JFWM-093.S2 (38 KB XLSX). kodiak river otter. Herein we provide an updated account, as of 2016, of river otter population status and distribution in the United States and discuss conservation priorities. Novak, Mila, James A. Baker, Martyn E. Obbard and Bruce Malloch, editors. North American river otters also currently inhabit coastal regions throughout the United States and Canada. In the Zoo, they eat meat, eggs, carrots, variety of fish (trout, catfish, herring, capelin, smelt). 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. Predators: Include the bobcat, coyote and birds of . 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. We asked each agency expert to report 1) the legal status of river otters in their state, 2) the statewide river otter population trend, 3) the results of reintroduction efforts (if applicable), 4) the population status of river otters since reintroduction efforts, 5) the method(s) of river otter population monitoring, 6) how frequently adjustments are made to harvest regulations (if applicable), 7) and the geographic distribution of river otters in their state. Do not throw any kind of trash, fertilizers, or poisons into any body of water. When females leave, they tend to move much further away (6090km or 3756mi) than males (up to 30km or 19mi), which tend to move shorter distances. [51], Adult North American river otters are capable of consuming 1 to 1.5 kilograms (2.2 to 3.3lb) of fish per day. [20] [46] In late 2012, a river otter nicknamed Sutro Sam took up residence around the former site of the Sutro Baths in San Francisco, the first river otter sighting in that city in more than half a century. [23], Although commonly called a "river otter", the North American river otter is found in a wide variety of aquatic habitats, both freshwater and coastal marine, including lakes, rivers, inland wetlands, coastal shorelines, marshes, and estuaries. Most mustelids, including otters, have 36 specialized teeth, including sharp canines and carnassials that inflict lethal bites to prey. River otter status, management, and distribution in the United States: evidence of large-scale population increase and range expansion. FEEDING HABITS: 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). We surveyed state wildlife agency experts to assess the current population and regulatory status of river otters in their jurisdictions. In the absence of harvest-dependent data, presenceabsence data (such as track surveys), can indicate population distribution and trajectories (Roberts et al. Crustaceans may even be consumed more than fish. 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. Where an otter looks seal-like, a mink looks ferret-like, however. 2003) using ArcMap (ESRI 2011). Peterson Field Guide, Mammals. Fish are a favorite food, but they also eat amphibians, turtles, and crayfish. [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. Queries should be directed to the corresponding author for the article. Preceding the settlement of North America by Europeans, North American river otters were prevalent among aquatic habitats throughout most of the continent. The American river otter is a graceful and beautiful addition to many North Carolina rivers. An entrance, which may be under water or above ground, leads to a nest chamber lined with leaves, grass, moss, bark, and hair. A Wisconsin zoo recently welcomed some adorable new additions to its family: three baby North American river otters. The otter can close its ears and nostrils when diving. The cessation of wide-scale reintroduction activities may suggest that the majority of suitable habitats are currently occupied by established river otter populations. Our survey indicated that <50% of the river otter reintroductions implemented in the United States were in areas where otters had been extirpated. Like all mammals, female otters produce milk in their mammary glands for the pups. The North American river otter, a member of the subfamily Lutrinae in the weasel family (Mustelidae), is equally versatile in the water and on land. 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) [11], In a new classification, the species is called Lontra canadensis, where the genus Lontra includes all the New World river otters. This article will refer to the twelve species of river otter, information about sea otters can be viewed here. Otters have sharp claws and webbing between toes on all four feet. ); Cyprinidae, made up of carp (Cyprinus spp. Photo Credit: U.S. About 13 different species exist around the world, but only two types - the River Otters and the Sea Otters live in the USA. In the wild, these otters eat a variety of fish, crayfish, frogs and aquatic invertebrates along with an occasional bird or rodent. Litter size ranges anywhere from one to five pups. 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? When the pups are about two months old and their coats grow in, their mother introduces them to the water. 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