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. Filled with information perfectly suited to the abilities and interests of its primarygrade audience, this colorful, factfilled book gives readers a chance not only to learn all about river otters and the swamp habitat in which they live, but also to develop their powers of observation and critical thinking. This otter differs from the north american river otter by its shorter neck, broader visage, the greater space between the ears and its longer tail. The north american river otter has a long, slender body, which is streamlined for swimming. A group of river otters is on the lookout for a new home, and they arent about to start from scratch. Working with kids and the public its hard to stay away from topics that make people go eww and get grossed out, because it grabs their attention. Otters are an aquatic carnivore found on every continent except australia and antarctica. Swim along with river otters as they paddle their way through the freshwaters of north america. The north american river otter has many natural predators but typically can avoid them by escaping quickly to a burrow or to water.
These critters often crawl their way into the abandoned burrows of their riverside neighbors. River otters range from florida to alaska, but have been extirpated from more than onethird of their historical range, which included most of the north american continent melquist and dronkert. It makes its home in a burrow near the waters edge, and can thrive in river, lake, swamp, or estuary ecosystems. Social grooming in north american river otters springerlink. 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. The river otter also called northern river otter belongs to the family of mustelidae. The playful north american river otter is well adapted for semiaquatic living. North american river otters lontra canadensis hello, its team seadoc member, mira, marine scientist, diver, and lover of all things ocean, especially salish sea creatures. 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. The mammals have thick, protective fur to help them keep warm while swimming in cold waters.
Three playful creatures slide down a muddy slope and fall into a pond. North american river otter by ellen lawrence overdrive. In this fascinating volume, acclaimed author barbara juster esbensen explores the world of the north american river otter, describing its behavior and characteristics in poetic detail. The book follows a group of otters over the course of one year. The north american river otter lives along riverbanks, lakeshores, and coasts. Builtin activities, such as investigating the ways an otters body. The north american river otter is the most abundant otter species, but surprisingly little is known about its life in the wild. It is the longest member of the weasel family, mustelidae, a globally successful group of predators, reaching up to 1. I am going to offer some of the most interesting and rarely known river otter facts and that includes river otter habitat, diet, reproduction, and behavior.
These adorable animals are not endangered, but very sensitive to pollution causing them to become a protected species, especially in the everglades. Browse the amazon editors picks for the best books of 2019, featuring our favorite. This little book of only 32 pages provides young readers with an informative introduction to the lives of two of north americas most endearing animals, river otters. They play, they slide, they run, theyre social, and they create sign that is easy to distinguish from other species. At the end of the book there is a page talking about the different kinds of otters and the book goes to great lengths to make the point that otters love to play.
The north american river otter lontra canadensis is a freshwater, semiaquatic mammal in the lutrinae subfamily of the mustelidae family of weasels. North american river otters, also called canadian otters, have long, muscular, streamlined bodies with short legs and fully webbed feet bearing nonretractable claws. Part of the springer series in statistics book series sss. They have short legs, webbed feet for faster swimming, and a long, narrow body and flattened head for streamlined movement in the water.
River otter poopori of facts north american river otter lontra canadensis. North american river otters are the only river otter that is found north of mexico. Its not all play, though, and soon the animals begin to hunt for fish in the murky water of their swamp home. Ashkii joins us from the national zoo, where she made news last year as the first north american river otter. Sea otters are diurnal, and river otters tend to be nocturnal. In the wild, their average life span is 8 or 9 years. For instance, otters dont open their eyes until they are five weeks old and otters can swim seven miles per hour. Sliding on slippery slopes and splashing around in the water are common games mothers play with their young.
Filled with information perfectly suited to the abilities and interests of. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1, 2, or 3 months new customers receive 15% off your. Earlier this month, ashkii, a fouryearold north american river otter arrived at the zoo. River otters use openings in the ice, and will sometimes even break through beaver dams, to gain access to rivers and other waters. Most major waterways in north america, although sensitive to pollution. One of subspecies of otter, the north american river otter is found from the edge of the arctic tundra to the gulf of mexico.
Filled with information perfectly suited to the abilities and interests of its primarygrade audience, this colorful, factfilled book gives readers a chance not only to learn all about river otters and the swamp habitat in which they live, but also to develop their. Fertilized eggs will remain in diapause for 710 months before implanting usually during late winterearly spring months. North american river otter iucn otter specialist group. Twisting and turning in the water, the river otter family continues its game. It is also known as the northern river otter or the common otter. Otter species can be found across eurasia, africa, india, japan, indonesia, north america, south america, and central america.
Human north american river otterlontra canadensis attack. 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. American river otter facts american otter dk find out. The childrens zoo is home to our north american river otters. Learn the basics of river otter tracks and sign in this article, so you can track them in the wild. Clinical anatomy of the north american river otter lontra. River otters eat virtually anything that you can find near lakes or streams. John e becker discusses the near extinction, return, and future of river otters. This semiaquatic mammal is also called northern river otter or common otter and it is as comfortable on land as it is in the water. The giant otter or giant river otter pteronura brasiliensis is a south american carnivorous mammal. In between bodies of water, they travel overland on wellused paths, often. Yesterday, her keepers let her explore the otter habitat for the first time. Photo things you didnt know you wanted to know about river otter poop. The north american river otter lontra canadensis serves as an indicator species for environmental monitoring, is prized as a valuable furbearer, and is a popular display animal in zoologic.
Swim along with river otters as they paddle their way through the freshwaters of north america in this informative title. Graced with beautiful illustrations by distinguished wildlife painter mary barrett brown, playful slider invites young readers to learn more about one of the most interesting of north american mammals. They often have a circuit they travel along rivers and lakes which takes them up to a week or more to complete. North american river otter by ellen lawrence goodreads. Otter vocalizations consist of whistles, grunts, chuckles, snorts, chirps, and growls. However, the eurasian otter is the only otter in much of its range, so it is rarely confused for any other animal. North american river otters lontra canadensis are members of the weasel family. The limbs are short and powerful, the clawed paws are fullywebbed, and the flattish head terminates in a broad muzzle equipped with numerous sensitive whickers used for detecting prey underwater. North american river otter an overview sciencedirect.
North american river otter has been listed as one of the natural sciences good articles under the good article criteria. Like other otter species, the north american river otter lontra canadensis has a long, sinuous, streamlined body, highly modified for aquatic life. Their small heads widen to long necks and shoulders, and they have flattened, wellmuscled tails. The playful north american river otter is equally at home in the water and on land. North american river otter red river zoo fargo, nd. River otter facts top 20 interesting facts about north american river otters. Introduction river otter one of the many interesting animals of the temperate rainforest is the north american river otter. The north american river otter is one of only two known otter species to have delayed implantation the other is the sea otter. This months creature feature is the north american river otter. Filled with information perfectly suited to the abilities and interests of its primarygrade audience, this colorful, factfilled book gives readers a chance not only to. If resources are plentiful, the species can form larger groups as well. While not endangered nationwide, the range of river otters has been severely reduced by 1980 river otters. Buy returning wildlife river otters on free shipping on qualified orders.
River otter facts top 20 interesting facts about north. River otter description, habitat, image, diet, and. We receive no government funding, and depend solely on financial support from our friends. As soon as the first edition of the north american river otter husbandry. North american river otter similar but different in the. Atypical of mustelids, the giant otter is a social species, with family groups typically supporting three to eight members. North american river otters they are primarily nocturnal, but become more diurnal in winter, meaning they are active during the day and sleep at night. North american river otter national wildlife federation. North american river otters exist in small groups usually consisting of unrelated males or a mother and her cubs. North american river otter smithsonians national zoo. North american river otters spend much of their time foraging. From her experience emerged a riveting story that blends researched facts, interpretive photographs and illustrations, descriptive poems, native american folklore, firsthand.
The otters of the everglades are north american river otters, also known as the common otter. In captivity, north american river otters can live into their 20s. River animals and harsh winter conditions american rivers. The only continents without otters are australia and antarctica. North american river otter the familiar face of the north american river otter lontra canadensis has disappeared in many states due to habitat loss, water pollution and trapping. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers. River otter is an oklahoma state species of special concern in the arkansas river system, whose populations may be increasing due to stocking programs.
Field guidemammalsriver otter wikibooks, open books for an. The north american river otter lontra canadensis occurs in streams, lakes and. This species reportedly has 28 common names in north america. The north american river otters main prey is fish, which it usually catches during the day. Filled with information perfectly suited to the abilities and interests of its primary grade audience, this colorful, factfilled book gives readers a chance not only to. Other nonscientific names include nearctic river otter, northern river otter, canadian otter, land otter, and fish otter. North american river otter, lontra canadensis, in captivity. Natural predators that are fast enough to prey upon otter include lynx, mountain lion, wolverine, wolves, birds of prey, and alligators.