Estimated range of river otters Lontra canadensis in the United States during 2016 compared with 1998 (estimated from Melquist et al. National Audubon Society. Most (n = 31, 63.3%) states used multiple methods to monitor river otter populations. 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). [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. Potential responses concerning legal status included regulated harvest, no harvest, state threatened, or state endangered. River otters use their powerful hind feet to help with propulsion and their small, dexterous front feet for paddling through the water. ", "North American River Otter National Wildlife Federation", "Basic Facts About North American River Otters", "Distribution and abundance of river otter in Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota", "Food habits of the river otter in Suisun Marsh, Central California", "Feeding relationships of river otters in northeastern Pennsylvania", Food habits of the North American river otter (, "Social Networks and the Formation and Maintenance of River Otter Groups", "Art Lander's Outdoors: Once endangered river otters now likely to be found in Kentucky for generations", Colorado Otters May No Longer Need Protection, How river otters are making a comeback on P.E.I. [29][30], The diet of the North American river otter can be deduced by analyzing either stool obtained in the field,[31] or gut contents removed from trapped otters. Fish are a favorite food, but they also eat amphibians, turtles, and crayfish. ); and Ictaluridae, which consists of bullheads and catfish (Ictalurus spp.). Twentyseven states, including Alabama, have trapping seasons, and four states and two provinces Behind-the-Scenes Encounters & Experiences, Passion into Conservation Action (PiCA) Program, Participation in the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International. ), daces (Rhinichthys spp. Females maintain the den and give birth to an average of two to three pups every year. [56] Trappers in Alberta, Canada commonly assert North American river otters are major predators of North American beavers. 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. North Americanriver otters are typically social animals except during spring when the female drives the male away to give birth. Are otters endangered in Alabama? They are fast, agile swimmers and able to out-maneuver their prey. River Otters are good swimmers and divers, able to stay underwater for up to eight minutes. [29] In Georgia, crayfish accounted for two-thirds of the prey in the summer diet, and their remnants were present in 98% of the summer spraint. North America's largest North American river otter populations were found in areas with an abundance and diversity of aquatic habitats, such as coastal marshes, the Great Lakes region, and glaciated areas of New England. Catch-per-unit effort, population models, and presence vs. absence indices, such as bowhunter surveys and track surveys, were used less frequently (Table 1). Its tail is furred but longer and more streamlined than a mink's. The otter's face is roundish, almost dog-like. The otters migrated to North America and southwards again across the Panamanian Land Bridge, which formed 3Mya. A groundbreaking bipartisan bill aims to address the looming wildlife crisis before it's too late, while creating sorely needed jobs. The playful North American river otter is well adapted for semi-aquatic living. Author: [26]:5254, A highly active predator, the North American river otter has adapted to hunting in water, and eats aquatic and semiaquatic animals. [20] About one-third of the animal's total length consists of a long, tapered tail. 2004. They also scent mark using scent glands near the base of their tails that produce a strong, musky odor. [41], Delayed implantation distinguishes the species from the European otter, which does not do this. Females are roughly one-third the size of males. Responses for population trends included increasing, stable, or decreasing (although we did not specify the timeframe). [26][32][33] Game fish, such as trout (Salmonidae) and pike (Esocidae), are not a significant component of their diets. 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. Figure S1. On land a river otter can run at speeds of up to 15 miles (24 kilometers) an hourthey can slide even faster. Take the Clean Earth Challenge and help make the planet a happier, healthier place. The gestation period is only about two months after this delayand litter size is one to five pups, usually two, between February and April. They first learn to swim after about two months. River otters breed in late winter or early spring. The torpedo shaped body the otter has allows it to cut through the water in a smooth and fast manner. Novak, Mila, James A. Baker, Martyn E. Obbard and Bruce Malloch, editors. The tail makes up about a third of their total length. As of 2016, 23 states had conducted river otter reintroductions. 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. Adults generally give birth to between one and three pups, which are blind and helpless when born. EDITORIAL. Physical Description They have very streamlined bodies, with a well-muscled tail; both aid in swimming. Weight: 11-30 lbs. They have a very high metabolism, so they need to eat frequently. Houghton Mifflin Co., New York, NY. 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. [61] Appendix II lists species that are not necessarily threatened with extinction currently, but may become so unless trade is closely controlled. ); darters (Etheostoma spp. [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). They prey most often on slower fish, such as catfish, carp and sculpins. River otter dens are along the water in abandoned burrows or empty hollows. Nevertheless, these results provide an empirical, albeit coarse, contemporary estimate of river otter range in the United States. Table S1. They are very flexible and can make sharp, sudden turns that help them catch fish. (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA). [51], Adult North American river otters are capable of consuming 1 to 1.5 kilograms (2.2 to 3.3lb) of fish per day. 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. [28] Similarly, it is possible that false-negatives occurred, particularly at lower population densities. [20], The mothers raise their young without aid from adult males. Probably present statewide in association with rivers, creeks, and lakes, especially open water bordered with wooded habitat. Note: Above species may only be taken by TRAPPING ONLY. Where an otter looks seal-like, a mink looks ferret-like, however. (c) Smithsonian Institution, some rights reserved (CC BY). This kind of pollution could deplete the food supply for the otters. FEEDING HABITS: Current status of populations unknown. [12], Molecular biological techniques have been used to determine when the river otter and the giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) of South America diverged. 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. River otters are found throughout most of North America from the Rio Grande to Canada and Alaska, except for in arid deserts and the treeless Arctic. River otters are also valued as a game species and furbearer (Melquist et al. [19] An average adult male weighs about 11.3 kilograms (25lb) against the female's average of 8.3 kilograms (18lb). Found throughout the United States and Canada. Young pups are born helpless, and remain in the . Their legs are short with webbed feet and claws. The remaining states indicated that they reintroduced river otters to expand populations in their state beyond their current range, including three states that indicated that reintroductions were also used to reestablish extirpated populations and seven states that used reintroductions to bolster populations where they already existed (Table 1). 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. Diet Carnivore, Piscivores Mating Habits MATING BEHAVIOR Polygyny They use their sensitive whiskers which help them locate prey and catch their prey with their mouth, using their paws to hold on to the prey if needed. American Midland Naturalist 156: 189-192. Jurisdictions that have harvest are afforded more monitoring opportunities through harvest-dependent data sources, such as catch-per-unit effort, distribution of harvests, and sex and age-structure of harvests. Predators: Include the bobcat, coyote and birds of . [32][50] Susceptibility of these species is greatest during the summer (when waterfowl broods are vulnerable) and autumn. 40-54 inches long, 10-30 pounds. Even the otters at the zoo have chosen their own latrine sights. Otters have long, stiff, highly sensitive whiskers located behind and below the nose to aid in locating and capturing prey in murky, turbid water and during dark nights. Junior League of Birmingham Hugh Kaul Childrens Zoo Alabama Wilds Trail. This expansion was facilitated by restoration programs as well as natural dispersal and expansion of established populations. Crustaceans may even be consumed more than fish. In 4 seconds, you will be redirected to nwfactionfund.org, the site of the National Wildlife Action Fund, a 501(c)(4) organization. Sighting one can be an exciting occasion for boaters, fishermen and other outdoor enthusiasts because of the creature's secretive nature and relative rarity in some waters. 1980. They can live eight to nine years in the wild but have lived up to 21 years in captivity. Sometimes they eat aquatic plants. They have short legs, webbed feet for faster swimming, and a long, narrow body and flattened head for streamlined movement in the water. [30][32] They are less likely to be prey for the North American river otters since they are fast-swimming and can find good escape cover. 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. Otters are at the status of least concern on the IUCN Red List. In the absence of harvest-dependent data, presenceabsence data (such as track surveys), can indicate population distribution and trajectories (Roberts et al. Otters are known for their playful nature, even as adults. They have been virtually eliminated through many parts of their range, especially around heavily populated areas in the midwestern and eastern United States. Low Conservation Concern. A Wisconsin zoo recently welcomed some adorable new additions to its family: three baby North American river otters. The river otter is considerably larger, reaching several feet in length. [54][57], Cases where otters have been ambushed and consumed by grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) and polar bears (Ursus maritimus) have also been reportedly witnessed near the Arctic region. For example, a study conducted in a central California marshland indicated crayfish formed nearly 100% of the river otter's diet at certain times of the year. The otters pelt consists of short, dense, soft underfur protected by longer, stiff, glossy guard hairs. [39] Remains of the much larger North American beaver have been found in North American river otter scat in some regions, although most otter dietary studies in areas where otters and beaver live near each other do not show them to be regular predators of beavers (despite the claims of fur-trappers that otters frequently hunt beavers) and perhaps only young beaver kits may be attacked. Based on maps published by Melquist et al. River otters were reported to be ubiquitous throughout Alaska south of the Brooks Range (Alaska Department of Fish and Game, personal communication). Their gestational period can last anywhere from two months to one year, as otters are capable of delayed implantation. The North American River Otter has a long, sleek body with a long, tapered tail covered in short, dense dark brown fur. 1,712 River Otter Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images. [30] However, river otters will prey on trout, pike, walleye (Sander vitreus vitreus), salmon (Oncorhynchus spp. 1987. [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. It establishes a burrow close to the water's edge in river, lake, swamp, coastal shoreline, tidal flat, or estuary ecosystems. Chilelli et al. 2010). They have small, round heads with small eyes and ears and prominent whiskers. Field Guide to Mammals, North America. ), shiners (Notropis and Richardsonius spp. this appendix subjects river otters to international restrictions and state/province export quotas because of their resemblance to European Otters. River otters were legally harvested in 40 states as of 2016. 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. 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