River Otter

River otter in a Big Thicket creek

NPS Photo / Cory Cravatta

Lontra canadensis

River otters are small carnivores that are found throughout the southeastern and northwestern United States. They primarily eat aquatic organisms such as fish, crawfish, and crabs. Otters are known for being playful and active, sliding down mud banks and swimming through the water with impressive ease. The waterproofing capabilities of their outer layers of fur help keep their skin dry and warm throughout the year.

Groups of otters usually consist of a mated pair and their litter of offspring. Otter families generally only stay together until the next litter arrives, at which point the older pups disperse. River otters used to be widely hunted for their pelt but are rarely trapped for their fur today. However, they are especially vulnerable to the pollution of waterways, and the presence of otters usually suggests that an area isn’t heavily polluted.

Did You Know?

• River otters are able to close their nostrils as well as their mouths when swimming underwater, which allows them to spend more time underwater and prevent inhalation of water when swimming quickly.
• Otter scat has its own name, spraint! The spraint of each otter will smell different, and otters will use this to identify who is nearby.

 

Go Back to Mammals Page

 

Trail camera photo of a river otter in the thicket

NPS Photo

 

Sources

Kruuk, H., & Kruuk, S. P. O. N. H. (2006). Otters: ecology, behaviour and conservation. Oxford University Press.