TheNorth Americanriver otter (Lutra canadensis) is a member of the weasel family. Current status of populations unknown. Crait, J.R. and M. Ben-David. Researchers also rely on game cams that they set up to catch pictures and videos of otters in the night. Mink are also semiaquatic animals and look the part, just like otters. Otters can travel several miles over land to reach another body of water to set up new territories. The vulnerability and seasonal availability of prey animals mainly governs its food habits and prey choices. The species is also present throughout Alaska, including the Aleutian Islands, and the north slope of the Brooks Range. 2010). Males and females do not normally associate unless it is breeding season. 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. The otters eyes contain a specialized lens to assist with underwater viewing. [28] Otters are known to take larger fish on land to eat, whereas smaller fish are consumed in the water. [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. [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. Found throughout the United States and Canada. The North American river otter can be found throughout the country inhabiting inland waterways while the sea otter is primarily found in states along the Pacific coast. Two decades later, there is still considerable variation in monitoring methods and effort across jurisdictions. Only four statesNevada, Rhode Island, Utah, and Wyomingdid not report any monitoring efforts. Their ears are small and almost inconspicuous. this appendix subjects river otters to international restrictions and state/province export quotas because of their resemblance to European Otters. The Cahaba River is one of the most biodiverse waterways on Earth. This article will refer to the twelve species of river otter, information about sea otters can be viewed here. [26][34][36][50] Otters consume more aquatic insects in the summer as the populations increase and specific life stages heighten their susceptibility. 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. River otters breed in late winter or early spring. Citation: Roberts NM, Lovallo MJ, Crimmins SM. Lontra canadensis. The North American River Otter has a long, sleek body with a long, tapered tail covered in short, dense dark brown fur. 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. Life expectancy is less than 10 years in the wild. Habitat: Riparianliving or located near a body of water. 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. This dilemma prevents, and consequently inhibits, recolonization or growth of North American river otter populations. [2], North American river otters, like most predators, prey upon the most readily accessible species. A member of the weasel family, otters are semiaquatic animals that feed on insects, fish, amphibians, small reptiles, and shellfish. [33] Otters have been found to consume invasive Asian carp. Example questionnaire distributed to state wildlife agencies in 2006. We asked each agency expert to report 1) the legal status of river otters in their state, 2) the statewide river otter population trend, 3) the results of reintroduction efforts (if applicable), 4) the population status of river otters since reintroduction efforts, 5) the method(s) of river otter population monitoring, 6) how frequently adjustments are made to harvest regulations (if applicable), 7) and the geographic distribution of river otters in their state. River otters generally live alone or in small social groups. River otters are rambunctious, aquatic, streamlined mammals that spend much of their time in the water. Otters are at the status of least concern on the IUCN Red List. We received responses from all 48 contiguous states and interviewed agency personnel in Alaska; not all responses were complete (Table S1). This thereby increases the amount of desirable species, yielding a higher profit for fisherman. North American river otters are very susceptible to the effects of environmental pollution, which is a likely factor in the continued decline of their numbers. Crustaceans may even be consumed more than fish. By the early 1900s, North American river otter populations had declined throughout large portions of their historic range in North America. 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. (Figure 1). Twentyseven states, including Alabama, have trapping seasons, and four states and two provinces The den typically has many tunnel openings, one of which generally allows the otter to enter and exit the body of water. The tail makes up about a third of their total length. Even fast-swimming fish like trout slow down in extremely cold water, leaving them vulnerable. Questions concerning river otter reintroductions assessed the purpose(s) (e.g., reestablish extirpated populations, bolster existing populations, or expand river otter range beyond current distributions) and outcomes (e.g., expanding, stagnant or geographically restrained, decreasing, or unknown) of reintroduction efforts. ), and squawfishes (Ptychocheilus spp. North American river otters also inhabit the forested regions of the Pacific coast in North America. 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. The most common fish consumed are perch, suckers, and catfish. Harvest regulations are reviewed frequently by most states that allow harvest (Table 1). [41], Delayed implantation distinguishes the species from the European otter, which does not do this. will only copy the licensed content. Diet [23][16], North American river otters characteristically approach within a few feet of a boat or a person on shore because they're near-sighted, a consequence of vision adapted for underwater sight. Their thick fur helps to protect their skin from the water and allows them to withstand cold weather. Their aquatic habitats can be both marine and fresh water: streams, rivers, lakes, ponds and marshes. They are fast, agile swimmers and able to out-maneuver their prey. Please note: The Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supplemental material. A Wisconsin zoo recently welcomed some adorable new additions to its family: three baby North American river otters. Ten states indicated that they had reintroduced river otters to establish populations that had been extirpated (Table 1). [32][50] Susceptibility of these species is greatest during the summer (when waterfowl broods are vulnerable) and autumn. An adult North American river otter can weigh between 5.0 and 14kg (11.0 and 30.9lb). Only one state, Utah, had conducted river otter reintroductions since 2010. This expansion was facilitated by restoration programs as well as natural dispersal and expansion of established populations. 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. The Birmingham Zoo North American river otters are Slim, a male weighing in at 8.0kg (17.5 lbs), andLenora, afemale weighing in at 7.3kg (16 lbs.). Melquist et al. Habitat They live in still or slow moving fresh water rivers, lakes and creeks. Chilelli et al. [23], Like other otters, the North American river otter lives in a holt, or den, constructed in the burrows of other animals, or in natural hollows, such as under a log or in river banks. 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. [20] Large male North American river otters can exceed a weight of 15 kilograms (33lb). Other species of otters live on every continent except Australia and Antarctica. Otters have five toes and the heel pad tends to be somewhat horseshoe shaped. Since 1976, over 4,000 otters have been reintroduced in 21 U.S. states. As of 2016, only two additional states had conducted reintroductions (New Mexico and North Dakota) since Raesly's (2001) previous assessment and Utah was the only state that had reintroduced river otters since 2010. The North American River Otter weighs on average 10 to 30 pounds and measures approximately two to four feet long from head to tail. Take the Clean Earth Challenge and help make the planet a happier, healthier place. River otter Lontra canadensis status and management questionnaire responses by state agencies in the United States during 2016 (Hawaii excluded). beaver river otter. 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 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. Even the otters at the zoo have chosen their own latrine sights. They once lived in streams, rivers, lakes, swamps, and coastal areas throughout Canada and the United States. ); and Ictaluridae, which consists of bullheads and catfish (Ictalurus spp.). The North American river otter, a member of the subfamily Lutrinae in the weasel family (Mustelidae), is equally versatile in the water and on land. An adult river otter can weigh between 5.0and14kg (11.0and 31lb). 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. 2003) using ArcMap (ESRI 2011). It has more species of fish than any other river of its size in North America.It supports 139 rare and imperiled species,including ten fish and mussel species listed under the US Endangered Species Act. 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? (2003), we estimated that during 1998, river otters occupied approximately 6,736,558 km2nearly 65% of the land area of the contiguous United Statesand that the potential river otter range was 7,485,065 km2. Historically, the Cahaba was home to 48 different native freshwater mussel . We found that river otters have expanded their range significantly in the contiguous United States since the last assessment in 1998 (Melquist et al. 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. ), daces (Rhinichthys spp. 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). Sea otters have the amazing capacity of being able to eat up to 25% of their body weight in food . We assessed geographic distribution in each state based on a county basis; Alaska does not have county jurisdictions, so we gathered information via a phone interview to assess geographic distribution (Alaska Department of Fish and Game, personal communication). [30] North American river otters generally feed on prey that is in larger supply and easier to catch. 2003 ). North American river otter inhabitation is affected by type, distribution, and density of aquatic habitats and characteristics of human activities. 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.). River otters use their powerful hind feet to help with propulsion and their small, dexterous front feet for paddling through the water. Length: 35-50 inches. [20] 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. [16] Each otter pup weighs approximately five ounces. Even in larger bodies of water, river otters may take disproportional advantage of any seasonal concentrations of fish when and where only very limited areas of suitable spawning, low-flow, or over-wintering habitat may exist. [34][50] Invertebrates discovered within scats or digestive tracts could most likely be a secondary food item, first being consumed by the fish that are subsequently preyed upon by the North American river otters. [39] Remains of the much larger North American beaver have been found in North American river otter scat in some regions, although most otter dietary studies in areas where otters and beaver live near each other do not show them to be regular predators of beavers (despite the claims of fur-trappers that otters frequently hunt beavers) and perhaps only young beaver kits may be attacked. Methods of population monitoring included bridge surveys (presence vs. absence track surveys conducted at bridge crossings), harvest surveys, bowhunter surveys, camera surveys, winter track surveys, population models from harvest data, harvest effort, and agency field questionnaires (for detailed descriptions of these methods, we direct readers to Chilelli et al. Otters are what we call an indicator species. This means that if there is evidence of otters living in a body of water then that body of water is likely very healthy and clean. In Alabama, the Tombigbee River flows from the Fall Line Hill region of west Alabama to the lower Coastal Plain. They once lived in streams, rivers, lakes, swamps, and coastal areas throughout Canada and the United States. 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). LIFE HISTORY AND ECOLOGY: 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. Found at DOI: https://doi.org/10.3996/102018-JFWM-093.S2 (38 KB XLSX). [54][57], Cases where otters have been ambushed and consumed by grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) and polar bears (Ursus maritimus) have also been reportedly witnessed near the Arctic region. 2015). Official Web Site of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, 2023 Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, 64 N. Union Street, Suite 468 - Montgomery, Alabama 36130, Physically Disabled Hunting and Fishing Trail, https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=467475161060988&ev=PageView&noscript=1. October 29 - February 28. Do not throw any kind of trash, fertilizers, or poisons into any body of water. 2003). 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). Since inclusion under Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, the U.S. Other restoration efforts were conducted to bolster existing river otter populations and to expand otter distributions and provide connectivity within states that had existing, but not ubiquitous, river otter populations (Table 1). 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