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. Crait, J.R. et al. Physical Description They have very streamlined bodies, with a well-muscled tail; both aid in swimming. North American river otters are mainly fish eaters. The tail makes up approximately 40 percent of the otters total length, which ranges from three to four-and-one-half feet. Our survey indicated that <50% of the river otter reintroductions implemented in the United States were in areas where otters had been extirpated. 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. Agency-enforced regulations include restrictions on harvest, harvest season length, harvest methods, and bag limits. North American river otters only settle in areas that consist of vegetation, rock piles, and sufficient coverage. They can stay underwater for as many as eight minutes. Reproduction: Once yearly with an average litter of 2-3 and up to 6. Nathan M. Roberts, Matthew J. Lovallo, Shawn M. Crimmins; River Otter Status, Management, and Distribution in the United States: Evidence of Large-Scale Population Increase and Range Expansion. [30][38] North American river otters do not generally handle prey of a large size relative to themselves but there are occasions where they've been observed ambushing and killing adult common snapping turtles while the large turtles (which are roughly equal in average body weight to a North American river otter) are hibernating. [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). William H. Burt and Richard P. Grossehnheider. [16], Males and female river otters show different non-sexual physical characteristics,[23] with males typically being larger. However, it is sensitive to pollution, and will disappear from tainted areas. They live in riparian zones, often in the same areas as beavers. The otters eyes contain a specialized lens to assist with underwater viewing. 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. 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. We thank the many state natural resource agencies for their responses and cooperation. Results from this 2016 assessment provide the most recent account of river otter status and distribution in United States to our knowledge. North American river otters rely upon play to learn survival skills such as fighting and hunting. 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. 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. [1], Lontra canadensis is listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). 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. and redhorses (Moxostoma spp. 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). Twenty-two states reported increasing populations while 25 reported stable populations. [27], North American river otters are renowned for their sense of play. Since their reintroduction to Kentucky in the early 90s, they have recovered to the point that a trapping season was started in 2006, and the species is now found in all major waterways. CREATIVE. In Mexico, the North American river otters lived in the Rio Grande and Colorado River Deltas. Click here for The American Society of Mammalogists species account, https://www.flickr.com/photos/spolky/14137678671/, http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2765/4276426485_17cb92891f.jpg, http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cIzzr048_Yw/UOdMyHWi9TI/AAAAAAAAUts/jMiA2rUGxQw/P1180157.JPG, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6a/Olympic_Nat_Park_River_Otter.JPG, http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8305/7752408968_be9c26984a_o.jpg, http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/cgi/img_query?seq_num=576969&one=T, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lontra_canadensis, Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). 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. These include mudminnows (Umbra limi) and sculpins (Cottus spp.). The river otter is adapted for both land and water with short legs, webbed toes, and a strong, flattened tail. We estimated the county-level geographic distribution occupied by river otters in the continental United States during 2016 to be approximately 7,422,120 km275% of the total land area and 94% of the available total water area. 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. National Audubon Society. Moreover, a western Oregon study revealed fish remains were present in 80% of the 103 digestive tracts examined. [26], Male North American river otters disperse from such family groups more often than females. [26][33], Amphibians and reptiles are more obtainable by the North American river otter during the spring and summer as a result of breeding activity, appropriate temperatures, and water supply for the prey. 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. The species is also present throughout Alaska, including the Aleutian Islands, and the north slope of the Brooks Range. [1], During the 1970s, improvements in natural resource management techniques emerged, along with increased concerns about North American river otter population declines in North America. Birds and birds' eggs, as well as small terrestrial mammals may also be eaten. They can live eight to nine years in the wild but have lived up to 21 years in captivity. Probably present statewide in association with rivers, creeks, and lakes, especially open water bordered with wooded habitat. River otters were legally harvested in 40 states, while closed harvest seasons existed in 9 states; Arizona, California, Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming (Table 1). We surveyed state wildlife agency experts to assess the current population and regulatory status of river otters in their jurisdictions. River otter reintroductions were widespread during the late 20th century (Raesly 2001). You can copy this taxon into another guide. 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. (c) Wikimedia Commons, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA). [1], Oil spills present a localized threat to otter populations, especially in coastal areas. North American river otters are natural swimmers and, with parental supervision, they acquire the skills necessary to swim. [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. In the wild, their lifespan is approximately 8 to 9 years; in captivity it increases to about 15 to 20 years. [2008], and Roberts [2010]). They have a very high metabolism, so they need to eat frequently. Houghton Mifflin Co., New York, NY. Deems and Pursley (1978), estimated that river otters occupied 71% of their historical range during 1977; by 1998, river otter populations had expanded and were thought to occupy 90% of their prior range (Melquist et al. 1,712 River Otter Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images. 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. Chilelli et al. 1999. We also thank the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies for logistical assistance. The Ontario Trappers Association, 1150 pp. ", "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. As per the North American Model of wildlife conservation, river otters are held in the public trust by the government and are managed by state and federal agencies as well as by native tribes (Mahoney and Geist 2019). We received responses from all 48 contiguous states and interviewed agency personnel in Alaska; not all responses were complete (Table S1). Given the large extent of the species' range, we were limited to county-level inference. The animal slides down mud and snow seemingly for the sheer delight of it. Diet Carnivore, Piscivores Mating Habits MATING BEHAVIOR Polygyny ), chubs (Semotilus spp. Their legs are short with webbed feet and claws. 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. 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. Otter pelts range from a rich dark brown (almost black) to a pale chestnut on the back and sides and light brown mixed with varying amounts of gray on the belly. They can drink while under water due to a special valve in their nose. [41], Delayed implantation distinguishes the species from the European otter, which does not do this. The Cahaba River is one of the most biodiverse waterways on Earth. Where an otter looks seal-like, a mink looks ferret-like, however. Note: Above species may only be taken by TRAPPING ONLY. Otters also help fisherman by eating the less desirable species of fish that compete with the more desirable and profitable fish. [16] Tail lengths range from 30 to 50 centimetres (12 to 20in). River otters in Yellowstone Lake depend on a declining . Twentyseven states, including Alabama, have trapping seasons, and four states and two provinces 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. [33], Although they consume birds, North American river otters do not feed on bird eggs. Only one state, Utah, had conducted river otter reintroductions since 2010. Weight: 11-30 lbs. River otters breed in late winter or early spring. Most mustelids, including otters, have 36 specialized teeth, including sharp canines and carnassials that inflict lethal bites to prey. The female otters do not dig their own dens; instead, they rely on other animals, such as beavers, to provide suitable environments to raise their offspring. ), shiners (Notropis and Richardsonius spp. 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. (c) Biodiversity Heritage Library, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA). [30] However, river otters will prey on trout, pike, walleye (Sander vitreus vitreus), salmon (Oncorhynchus spp. Air trapped within the fur acts as insulation when the otter is submerged. An otters home range may be as small as five miles to as large as 40 miles. 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