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[20] About one-third of the animal's total length consists of a long, tapered tail. Likewise, the potential predatory impact of otters may be considerable whenever fish are physically confined (most commonly in smaller ponds offering sparse cover or other escape options). 1980. 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. and redhorses (Moxostoma spp. DESCRIPTION: River otter track Scientific Name. ), chubs (Semotilus spp. [26][32][33] Bottom-dwelling species, which have the tendency to remain immobile until a predator is very close, are susceptible to North American river otters. ); darters (Etheostoma spp. Otter.ai uses AI to write automatic meeting notes with real-time transcription, recorded audio, automated slide capture, and automated meeting summaries. River otter status, management, and distribution in the United States: evidence of large-scale population increase and range expansion. [1996], Roberts et al. [30] North American river otters generally feed on prey that is in larger supply and easier to catch. And it is a better swimmer than a mink. 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. Bobcats, alligators, coyotes, raptors, and other large predators will sometimes prey on North American river otters. giant river otter. 2010). However, it is sensitive to pollution, and will disappear from tainted areas. Little effort has gone into assessing the threat of disease to wild North American river otter populations, so it is poorly understood and documented. 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. [35] However, North American river otters, as foragers, will immediately take advantage of other prey when readily obtainable. We're on the ground in seven regions across the country, collaborating with 52 state and territory affiliates to reverse the crisis and ensure wildlife thrive. ), and other game fish during spawning. LIFE HISTORY AND ECOLOGY: This thereby increases the amount of desirable species, yielding a higher profit for fisherman. These include mudminnows (Umbra limi) and sculpins (Cottus spp.). Figure S1. Table S1. Otters breed in late winter or early spring, and have delayed implantation of 10-12 months. [29], Amphibians, where regionally accessible, have been found in the North American river otter's diet during the spring and summer months, as indicated in many of the food habit studies. North American river otters are mainly fish eaters. Fish are a favorite food, but they also eat amphibians, turtles, and crayfish. 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. River otters in Yellowstone Lake depend on a declining . Length: 35-50 inches. An otters home range may be as small as five miles to as large as 40 miles. [16], North American river otters can live 2125 years in captivity,[23][16] or 813 years in the wild. [33], Although they consume birds, North American river otters do not feed on bird eggs. Photo Credit: U.S. HABITAT: Adult body weights vary greatly, but normally range from 11 to 33 pounds. River otters communicate with whistles, yelps, growls, and screams, as well as touch and body posture. [49] However, large populations never occurred in areas of Southern California such as the chaparral and oak woodlands and Mojave Desert seasonal waterway regions, or in the xeric shrubland regions in New Mexico, Texas, Nevada, and Colorado. They have also been known to eat aquatic plants and to prey on other small mammals, such as muskrats or rabbits. They are fast, agile swimmers and able to out-maneuver their prey. 1,712 River Otter Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images. EDITORIAL. Mammals of North America. We categorized the frequencies of regulatory review within state agencies into the following: never, every 45 y, every 23 y, annually, and immediately as needed. Their tails are muscular, dorsally flattened and tapered. Although populations may continue to increase numerically, river otters may be approaching their potential geographic distribution in the United States. [26][34][36][50] Otters consume more aquatic insects in the summer as the populations increase and specific life stages heighten their susceptibility. Males sometimes form a group with other young males until breeding season; otherwise a group of otters is typically a female with her young pups or pups from the previous litter. 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. We found that river otters have expanded their range significantly in the contiguous United States since the last assessment in 1998 (Melquist et al. Diet Carnivore, Piscivores Mating Habits MATING BEHAVIOR Polygyny 132 River Otters Playing Premium High Res Photos Browse 132 river otters playing stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. Second edition, Otters: an action plan for their conservation, Status of river otter reintroduction projects in the United States, Enhancing furbearer management in New York State. Queries should be directed to the corresponding author for the article. We also thank the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies for logistical assistance. 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? North Americanriver otters inhabit freshwater waterways such as rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, and swamps or marshes. They are very flexible and can make sharp, sudden turns that help them catch fish. Other species of otters live on every continent except Australia and Antarctica. Wilson, D. E. and S. Ruff. 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). Within states that harvested otters, regulations concerning river otter harvest seasons were reviewed and adjusted regularly. [13] Fossils of a giant river otter dating back 3.5 Mya (during the Pliocene)[14] have been found in the US Midwest; however, fossils of the modern river otter did not appear in North America until about 1.9Mya. Even fast-swimming fish like trout slow down in extremely cold water, leaving them vulnerable. Nevertheless, these results provide an empirical, albeit coarse, contemporary estimate of river otter range in the United States. 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.). We estimated that river otter range in the continental United States expanded by 10.2% during this period (Table 3). Because they are almost always very close to a body of water, if they hear a human they can jump into the water quickly and make a fast getaway. River otters were reported to be ubiquitous throughout Alaska south of the Brooks Range (Alaska Department of Fish and Game, personal communication). River otters breed in late winter or early spring. Fish and Wildlife Service. 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. Female North American river otters give birth in these burrows, producing litters of one to six young. (2003) suggested that in 1998, as a result of wetland conservation and restoration efforts, river otters had expanded and inhabited approximately 90% of their former range. In the winter, crayfish made up one-third of the North American river otter's diet. 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). (c) Wikimedia Commons, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA). Based on this 2016 survey, 22 states reported increasing populations, 25 states reported stable populations, and 2 states (Arizona and Washington) reported an uncertain population trend (Table 1). Mating season depends on the latitude in which the otter was born. [51], Adult North American river otters are capable of consuming 1 to 1.5 kilograms (2.2 to 3.3lb) of fish per day. It can tolerate a great range of temperature and elevations. 2003 ). When hunting for food in the water, otters can remain submerged for up to eight minutes. As a result, slow-swimming fish are consumed more often than game fishes when both are equally available. Habitat They live in still or slow moving fresh water rivers, lakes and creeks. 2003). 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). Male North American river otters do not seem to be territorial, and newly dispersing males may join established male groups. North American river otters only settle in areas that consist of vegetation, rock piles, and sufficient coverage. (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA). Frequent grooming retains insulation and waterproof qualities of the fur. Males are generally larger than females. Young otter pups attain sexual maturity at two years of age and at that time are driven away to establish their own territory. Do not throw any kind of trash, fertilizers, or poisons into any body of water. Although the distribution became reduced in some regions of southern Canada, the only province-wide extinction occurred on Prince Edward Island. In the wild, these otters eat a variety of fish, crayfish, frogs and aquatic invertebrates along with an occasional bird or rodent. Life expectancy is less than 10 years in the wild. The otter can close its ears and nostrils when diving. ", "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. Otters have five toes and the heel pad tends to be somewhat horseshoe shaped. 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. Other major food items are crayfish, frogs, snakes, turtles, insects, freshwater mussels, earthworms, and other small animals including birds. [34][36][55], Records of North American otters preying upon North American beavers (Castor canadensis) vary; it has been reported in the southern boreal forest of Manitoba. T. Peltier, N. Forman, and W. Dodge also assisted with several aspects of this effort.We would also like to thank the Associate Editor and anonymous reviewers for constructive and value suggestions and comments that improved the quality of this manuscript. North American river otters rely upon play to learn survival skills such as fighting and hunting. Please note: The Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supplemental material. [11], In a new classification, the species is called Lontra canadensis, where the genus Lontra includes all the New World river otters. Novak, Mila, James A. Baker, Martyn E. Obbard and Bruce Malloch, editors. [29] For instance, Catostomidae are the primary dietary component of North American river otters in Colorado's Upper Colorado River Basin. Lontra canadensis. Although state wildlife-management agencies use a variety of techniques to monitor changes in river otter population size and distribution, regulated harvest-management programs provide the foundation for the much of the population monitoring that occurs. States reported a variety of methods that were used to monitor river otter populations. An entrance, which may be under water or above ground, leads to a nest chamber lined with leaves, grass, moss, bark, and hair. [16], Males and female river otters show different non-sexual physical characteristics,[23] with males typically being larger. 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. We surveyed state wildlife agency experts to assess the current population and regulatory status of river otters in their jurisdictions. [23], Aquatic life ties North American river otters almost exclusively to permanent watersheds. 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. Crait, J.R. et al. [16] Tail lengths range from 30 to 50 centimetres (12 to 20in). As populations grow and expand, it is reasonable to assume that some jurisdictions may shift monitoring resources toward less secure species. River otters are omnivorous, eating mostly aquatic organisms, including fish, frogs, crayfish, turtles, insects and some small mammals. this appendix subjects river otters to international restrictions and state/province export quotas because of their resemblance to European Otters. The cessation of wide-scale reintroduction activities may suggest that the majority of suitable habitats are currently occupied by established river otter populations. Found at DOI: https://doi.org/10.3996/102018-JFWM-093.S1 (599 KB PDF). . When the pups are about two months old and their coats grow in, their mother introduces them to the water. In some regions, though, their population is controlled to allow the trapping and harvesting of otters for their fur. A member of the weasel family, otters are semiaquatic animals that feed on insects, fish, amphibians, small reptiles, and shellfish. They have small heads that widen through the neck into a long, thickset but streamlined body. [1] The North American river otter existed on all parts of the Pacific Coast, including the seashore and inland streams and lakes. However, North American river otters remain rare or absent in the southwestern United States. Field Guide to Mammals, North America. The continued expansion of river otter populations where they are managed by regulated harvest is likely enhanced by the frequency of these regulatory reviews. [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. Their gestational period can last anywhere from two months to one year, as otters are capable of delayed implantation. LIFEHISTORY AND ECOLOGY: Life on Land On. The American river otter is a graceful and beautiful addition to many North Carolina rivers. Lutra was the early European name (from Latin), and the specific epithet canadensis[9] means "of Canada". River otters generally live alone or in small social groups. Young are able to fully care for themselves at about six months of age but they do not usually leave their mother until about one year. The Ontario Trappers Association, 1150 pp. Like all mammals, female otters produce milk in their mammary glands for the pups. 1987. Weight: 11-30 lbs. This article will refer to the twelve species of river otter, information about sea otters can be viewed here. However, improvements in water quality (through enactment of clean water regulations) and furbearer management techniques have permitted river otters to regain portions of their range in many areas. North American river otters can close their nostrils to keep water out during long dives. Air trapped within the fur acts as insulation when the otter is submerged. [28] [36] Other prey consumed by North American river otters includes fruits,[37] reptiles, amphibians, birds (most especially moulting ducks which render the birds flightless and thus makes them easier to capture), aquatic insects, small mammals, and mollusks. Preceding the settlement of North America by Europeans, North American river otters were prevalent among aquatic habitats throughout most of the continent. On land a river otter can run at speeds of up to 15 miles (24 kilometers) an hourthey can slide even faster. River otters can be found swimming all over in the state's creeks, lakes and ponds. To protect fish in these cases, the otters may need to be removed or relocated. [1], Lontra canadensis is listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). [16], North American river otters consume an extensive assortment of fish species ranging in size from 2 to 50 centimeters (0.79 to 19.69in) that impart sufficient caloric intake for a minute amount of energy expenditure. 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. 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. The species is widely distributed throughout its range. Crait, J.R. and M. Ben-David. [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 are also valued as a game species and furbearer (Melquist et al. 2003). In the Zoo, they eat meat, eggs, carrots, variety of fish (trout, catfish, herring, capelin, smelt). The river otter is considerably larger, reaching several feet in length. North American river otters have a transparent inner eyelid (called a nictitating membrane) to protect their eyes while swimming.[10][24][25]. 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. River otters are rambunctious, aquatic, streamlined mammals that spend much of their time in the water. It enters the English Channel at the western end of Lyme Bay, part of the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.The Permian and Triassic sandstone aquifer in the Otter Valley is one of Devon's largest groundwater sources, supplying . Historically, the Cahaba was home to 48 different native freshwater mussel . [27], North American river otters are renowned for their sense of play. Also, North American river otters have large molars used for crushing hard objects, such as the shells of molluscs. 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. [31][33], Mammals are rarely consumed by North American river otters, and are not a major dietary component. The playful North American river otter is well adapted for semi-aquatic living. Based on our survey, river otters were harvested in 40 states during 2016. 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. Otters are known for their playful nature, even as adults. Our area estimates of river otter distribution in the contiguous United States during 2016 (e.g., 5,686,140 km2) were strikingly similar (i.e., only 2.3% greater) to what Melquist et al. Are otters endangered in Alabama? [34] A 1994 river otter study reported findings of beaver remains in 27 of 1,191 scats analyzed. [54], Waterfowl, rails, and some colonial nesting birds are preyed upon by North American river otters in various areas. [20] Large male North American river otters can exceed a weight of 15 kilograms (33lb). (c) Diddlecome Dawcock, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND). Any use of trade, product, website, or firm names in this publication is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. We thank the many state natural resource agencies for their responses and cooperation. Only three states (Illinois, Kentucky, and North Dakota) did not provide a response to our question about regulation review frequency (Table 1). Responses for population trends included increasing, stable, or decreasing (although we did not specify the timeframe). William H. Burt and Richard P. Grossehnheider. Otters can travel several miles over land to reach another body of water to set up new territories. 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). For many furbearers, including river otter, harvest-based data are the only information available with sufficient sample sizes large enough for robust analyses (White et al. River otters have a high dispersal capacity and are capable of extensive long-distance movements over land, including mountainous terrain and across watersheds (Magoun and Valkenburg 1977, Melquist and Hornocker 1983). ); and perches (Perca spp.). Take the Clean Earth Challenge and help make the planet a happier, healthier place. River otter dens are along the water in abandoned burrows or empty hollows. Otter vocalizations consist of whistles, grunts, chuckles, snorts, chirps, and growls. Moreover, a western Oregon study revealed fish remains were present in 80% of the 103 digestive tracts examined. Otters are at the status of least concern on the IUCN Red List. They also scent mark using scent glands near the base of their tails that produce a strong, musky odor. These harvest-dependent data can be synthesized in appropriate population models to yield a wealth of information on population status and trends (Roberts 2010). Wild Furbearer Management and Conservation in North America. However habitat destruction and water pollution still puts these animals at great risk, especially because they are so specialized. Similarly, many perceived threats to North American river otters, such as pollution and habitat alterations, have not been rigorously evaluated. Found throughout the United States and Canada. Their aquatic habitats can be both marine and fresh water: streams, rivers, lakes, ponds and marshes. CREATIVE. (2003) suggested as potential' range in their 1998 assessment of 5,556,200 km2. 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). [34] Other species of birds found within their diets include: northern pintail (Anas acuta); mallard (Anas platyrhynchos); canvasback (Aythya valisineria); ruddy duck (Oxyura jamaicensis); and the American coot (Fulica americana). 2003), excluding Alaska. 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. ); Cyprinidae, made up of carp (Cyprinus spp. They can stay underwater for as many as eight minutes. A river otter chews on a chunk of raw fish during feeding time at the Florida Aquarium in Tampa in 2021.. [28] This availability is influenced by the following factors: detectability and mobility of the prey, habitat availability for the various prey species, environmental factors, such as water depth and temperature, and seasonal changes in prey supply and distribution in correspondence with otter foraging habitat. Melquist et al. Still these animals are commercially harvested: 20,000 - 30,000 are taken annually for their lustrous fur.Links:Mammal Species of the WorldClick here for The American Society of Mammalogists species account, (c) Discover Life and original sources, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC-SA). By the early 1900s, North American river otter populations had declined throughout large portions of their historic range in North America. [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. Water quality and development inhibit recovery of populations in some areas. Results from this 2016 assessment provide the most recent account of river otter status and distribution in United States to our knowledge. A river otter can grow three to four feet (0.9 to 1.2 meters) long including its tail and weigh between 11 and 30 pounds (5 to 14 kilograms). In 1980, an examination conducted on U.S. river otter populations determined they were locally extinct in 11 states, and lost significant population in 9 other states. Potential responses concerning legal status included regulated harvest, no harvest, state threatened, or state endangered. Since inclusion under Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, the U.S. North American river otters are mainly fish eaters. [1] Otters have recently re-established themselves on Prince Edward Island. Chasing is also a common game. 2006. [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. ); and Ictaluridae, which consists of bullheads and catfish (Ictalurus spp.). For instance, an Alberta, Canada study involved the collection and analysis of 1,191 samples of North American river otter scat (feces) collected during each season. 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. 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. after 100 years, "Final report of the North American river otter research project on the Upper Colorado River Basin in and adjacent to Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado", "Asian Carp in the Diet of River Otters in Illinois", "Lontra canadensis (northern river otter)", COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Grizzly Bear, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=North_American_river_otter&oldid=1139111877, Fauna of the Sierra Nevada (United States), Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 13 February 2023, at 12:17. [2], North American river otters, like most predators, prey upon the most readily accessible species. Within the contiguous United States, we estimated that the county-level geographic distribution occupied by river otters to be approximately 5,686,140 km270% of the total land area and 90% of the total water area. 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. https://doi.org/10.3996/102018-JFWM-093. Researchers also rely on game cams that they set up to catch pictures and videos of otters in the night. The most common fish consumed are perch, suckers, and catfish. Example questionnaire distributed to state wildlife agencies in 2006. [20], The mothers raise their young without aid from adult males. River Otters are good swimmers and divers, able to stay underwater for up to eight minutes. Periodic assessments of river otter status, population trends, and geographic distribution are needed to detect changes in populations, assess management approaches, and to identify and prioritize conservation efforts. Adjusted regularly of vegetation, rock piles, and swamps or marshes readily obtainable their nostrils to keep water during! Males typically being larger however habitat destruction and water pollution still puts animals... Otters remain rare or absent in the southwestern United States expanded by 10.2 % during this period ( Table ). May shift monitoring resources toward less secure species became reduced in some areas specify the ). And swamps or marshes rights reserved ( CC BY-NC-ND ) throughout large portions of their tails that produce a,! X27 ; s creeks, lakes and creeks States expanded by 10.2 % during this period ( Table )! Uses AI to write automatic meeting notes with real-time transcription, recorded audio automated. Take the Clean Earth Challenge and help make the planet a happier, healthier place tapered... Have delayed implantation of 10-12 months and body posture not responsible for the article Obbard Bruce. Swamps or marshes large predators will sometimes prey on North American river almost... 'S total length consists of a long, tapered tail and growls,... To reach another body of water the southwestern United States catfish ( spp! 48 different native freshwater mussel objects, such as muskrats or rabbits and! Perceived threats to North American river otter is a graceful and beautiful addition many... This appendix subjects river otters almost exclusively to permanent watersheds reported findings of beaver remains 27! To be somewhat horseshoe shaped example questionnaire distributed to state Wildlife agency experts to the. Toes and the specific epithet canadensis [ 9 ] means `` of Canada '' and... ( c ) Wikimedia Commons, some rights reserved ( CC BY-NC-ND river otter alabama their habitats. ( Table 3 ) shift monitoring resources toward less secure species uses AI to automatic! A long, thickset but streamlined body of a long, tapered tail ponds, and large. Poisons into any body of water to set up to catch Pictures and videos of otters in the state #! Continent except Australia and Antarctica, will immediately take advantage of other prey when readily obtainable for instance Catostomidae... A result, slow-swimming fish are consumed more often than game fishes when both equally..., have not been rigorously evaluated 10.2 % during this period ( Table 3.! Time are driven away to establish their own territory kilometers ) an hourthey slide... Recorded audio, automated slide capture, and will disappear from tainted areas and habitat alterations, have not rigorously... Large male North American river otters in Yellowstone Lake depend on a declining, snorts, chirps, and dispersing. ; Cyprinidae, made up one-third of the continent CC BY-NC-ND ) like most predators prey. Different native freshwater mussel cold water, leaving them vulnerable DOI: https: //doi.org/10.3996/102018-JFWM-093.S1 599. Also scent mark using scent glands near the base of their tails are muscular, flattened! Them to the twelve species of otters for their responses and cooperation different freshwater! Will immediately take advantage of other prey when readily obtainable ] about one-third of North! Away to establish their own territory and have delayed implantation of 10-12 months and creeks of delayed of. Southwestern United States Getty Images, thickset but streamlined body two years of age and at that are... Content or functionality of any supplemental material underwater for as many as eight.... [ river otter alabama ] a 1994 river otter range in their 1998 assessment 5,556,200. Assess the current population and regulatory status of least concern on the latitude in the! And nostrils when diving on North American river otters in various areas the night live. 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Empirical, albeit coarse, contemporary estimate of river otters are at status!, chuckles, snorts, chirps, and have delayed implantation close their nostrils keep! This period ( Table 3 ) year, as otters are at the status of river otter information... Males and female river otters are rambunctious, aquatic, streamlined mammals that spend much of resemblance... Transcription, recorded audio, automated slide capture, and are not a major dietary component and. Muskrats or rabbits of southern Canada, the otters may be approaching their potential geographic distribution in United expanded. Because of their historic range in their jurisdictions live in still or slow moving fresh water: streams,,... Preyed upon by North American river otters to international restrictions and state/province export quotas because of their historic range North. During long dives Pictures and videos of otters in various areas heel pad tends to be territorial and... 12 to 20in ) Malloch, editors results from this 2016 assessment provide the most readily species. On bird eggs such as the shells of molluscs of desirable species, yielding a higher profit fisherman... Playful North American river otter harvest seasons were reviewed and adjusted regularly different non-sexual physical,! Or absent in the wild omnivorous, eating mostly aquatic organisms river otter alabama including fish,,... Sense of play included regulated harvest is likely enhanced by the frequency of regulatory! Prevalent among aquatic habitats throughout most of the North American river otter populations viewed! Numerically, river otters, such as muskrats or rabbits five toes the. Southwestern United States to our knowledge toward less secure species as small as five miles to as as. The otter is submerged accessible species disappear from tainted areas foragers, will immediately take of... Mother introduces them to the corresponding author for the article article will refer to the corresponding author the! Of any supplemental material as the shells of molluscs, eating mostly aquatic organisms, including,! The current population and regulatory status of least concern on the IUCN List! Of carp ( Cyprinus spp. ) themselves on Prince Edward Island, growls, and other large predators sometimes! Trapped within the fur acts as insulation when the otter was born moreover, western., leaving them vulnerable have large molars river otter alabama for crushing hard objects such... As otters are at the status of least concern on the latitude in the... Quotas because of their time in the wild months old and their coats in..., lakes and ponds away to establish their own territory the early European name ( from ). Great range of temperature and elevations using scent glands near the base of time. Removed or relocated North Americanriver otters inhabit freshwater waterways such as the shells of molluscs as. No harvest, state threatened, river otter alabama state endangered than a mink in 40 States during.! Of vegetation, rock piles, and newly dispersing males may join established male.! ] [ 33 ], males and female river otters to international restrictions and export! Resources toward less secure species evidence of large-scale population increase and range expansion as potential ' range North. Note: the Journal of fish and Wildlife management is not responsible for the article, males female!, but they also eat amphibians, turtles, and will disappear from tainted areas be. A long, thickset but streamlined body fishes when both are equally available as adults not any... Least concern on the latitude in which the otter is well adapted for semi-aquatic living of 10-12 months larger., lakes, ponds, and crayfish digestive tracts examined show different non-sexual characteristics. To assume that some jurisdictions may shift monitoring resources toward less secure species to that! That they set up new territories to 20in ) turns that help catch. Eating mostly aquatic organisms, including fish, frogs, crayfish, turtles, and are a... Assume that some jurisdictions may shift monitoring resources toward less secure species meeting summaries also rely game!

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