Northern River Otter

 
Two swimming Northern River Otters.
Otters having a blast while making a splash in Lake Superior.

NPS/ Paul Brown

An Otter Perspective

"Splash! A quick brown flash at the surface and down again I go. Swimming, swirling, searching for my next scrumptious snack. I find my home at the veil where land meets water. Isle Royale is filled with such places- if one were only to take a dip and look."

The Northern River Otter (Lontra canadensis) is equally at home in the water and on land and make their homes in a burrow near the water’s edge. River otters are found all throughout North America, inhabiting inland waterways and coastal areas.

 
Alt Text: Close up of a river otter’s rear foot showing the webbing between it’s toes to aide in swimming.
Webbed feet are an adaptation river otters have that make them an excellent match for water.

NPS

Made for Water

Otters are not fast on land unless they find snow or ice where they hop and slide to gain speed. They are built for swimming and swim by propelling themselves with their powerful tails and flexing their long bodies. Otters can run fast, but not quite as well as they can swim. They will also move long distances between waterbodies for food and to avoid possible predators and disturbances.

  • Otters find their favorite foods in water:
  • Otter aquatic adaptations:
    • Webbed feet
    • Water repelent fur
    • Nostrils and ears close in water
  • Northern river otters have a maximum swimming speed of 15 miles per hour.
 
 
River otter sunning itself on one of Isle Royale’s docks.
Even otters find time to relax in the sun on the archipelago.

NPS/ Paul Brown

Otter Spotter

The northern river otter is the most aquatic member of the weasel family. Otters are commonly seen:

  • Along the shorelines of inland lakes and Lake Superior exploring and hunting.
  • Sunning themselves by the water’s edge.
  • Occasionally on docks.
 
  • A beaver along a rocky shore on Isle Royale.
    Beaver

    Beaver create important aquatic habitat for other island creatures.

  • A mostly black loon with a white chest and sharp beak floating in water
    Birds

    Different habitat types provide for a great diversity of birds.

  • Red fox prances on an Isle Royale trail.
    Red Fox

    Isle Royale fox are curious canines that scavenge for their food.

Last updated: December 2, 2020

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Mailing Address:

800 East Lakeshore Drive
Houghton, MI 49931

Phone:

906 482-0984

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