northern river otter

They use their long, agile bodies to swim and hunt for many prey species such as fish, amphibians, crustaceans and other organisms. Hendricks, C.R. The river otter is Minnesota's largest aquatic carnivore that lives in most northern Minnesota lakes, ponds, and streams. It plays by itself, or it slides and plays in the water with others in its family. Amphibians and reptiles of Montana. Mammals of Montana. and J.S. Their high metabolisms result in rapid food digestion. It weighs around 5 – 14 kg (11 – 31 lb). River otters belong to the weasel family. They are highly adaptable animals so as long as they have access to enough food and water they can thrive. High flow volume water, densely vegetated and undercut banks preferable, non-turbid water and presence of sloughs and side channels to serve as brood rearing habitat are also important in winter. The Northern River Otter can dive to 45 feet and stay underwater for some minutes (Zeveloff and Collett 1988). Missoula, MT: Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana. 289 p. Dobkin, D. S.  1992. Their body shape aids in helping them make sudden turns to catch fish and other prey. The adult Northern River Otter in Montana weighs around 20 pounds and measures close to 47 inches long. Their … River otters are strong, unmatched swimmers in their environments, and on land they can run at speeds up to 15 miles per hour. Peterson, and R.L. River otters are apex predators in their food web. The long guard hairs remain pliable in very cold weather (Ulrich 1986), and the dense underfur traps air to insulate it in water. Channel Set for Otters Dens and lodges are used by river otters as rest and natal sites. 1302 p. Hutto, R.L. Their toes are webbed, they have short legs and they boast a tapered tail ranging up to 15 inches long. Enlarge Image . Currently, many populations along the coastal United States and Canada are stable or increasing, but this species is rare or extirpated throughout much of the Midwestern United States. Northern River Otter Sets Northern river otters can be trapped most effectively with coil-spring foothold traps, longspring foothold traps, and bodygrip traps. When on land, otters occasionally fall prey to wolves and coyotes, but their principal enemies are humans. The male reproductive system contains a penis, testes, scrotum and more while the female reproductive system contains a vagina, ovaries, etc. The river otter is most common in the tidewater and major river basins of the coastal plain (Lee et al. Hart, M.M., W.A. River otters possess long, muscular bodies suited to their life on both land and in water. North American river otters are the only river otter that is found north of Mexico. River otter habitat. Copyright Jeff Rice, all rights reserved. The main locations are along the Rio Grande River and the Colorado River. Mainly fish. Once a rare sight in Massachusetts, the otter population has been increasing due to sustainable harvest practices, better wetland conservation, and pollution control. These are river otters. Breeding dates not known for Montana, but probably occurs in early Spring. Its thick, powerful tail makes up nearly 20 inches of that length. Their body shape aids in helping them make sudden turns to catch fish and other prey. Northern River Otter Lontra canadensis. Bats of the Rocky Mountain West; natural history, ecology, and conservation. 2004. The North American river otter was once nearly eliminated in Missouri, but thanks to restoration efforts, these powerful swimmers are once again found throughout most of the state. The female otter's ovaries increase in size as maturation occurs. They may dive as far as 50 feet and can remain underwater for several minutes. Here's some links if you want to download a whole group. River otters may live along rivers, lakes, ponds, sloughs, bays, estuaries or even along a seacoast. Open-water stream channels used (Zackheim 1982). River otters help thin invasive species and protect biodiversity. Perhaps higher human-caused mortality than reported. River otters do not store food or hibernate in winter. 161 p. Werner, J.K., B.A. The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) is a semiaquatic mammal in the weasel family.While it may simply be called the "river otter" in North America (to distinguish it from the sea otter) there are other river otter species throughout the world. It has 36 teeth. Its thick, powerful tail makes up nearly 20 inches of that length. Wary in the wild, they are, nonetheless, sociable, docile, playful animals and easily domesticated. Otters are considered lucky animals in many Native American cultures and the otter is a symbol of loyalty and honesty in some West Coast tribes, but in northern British Columbia and the Alaskan coast, river otters (usually called "land-otters") were associated with ghosts and drowning and were regarded by the people with awe and dread. Once abundant throughout the watersheds of the United States and Canada, river otter numbers suffered greatly due to hunting by humans. It has a wide, rounded head with small ears and long, white whiskers. For this reason, the river otter must consume food often. The river otter is the largest member of the weasel family (Mustelidae). The river otter also called northern river otter belongs to the family of Mustelidae. The fur is dark brown or almost black above with lighter underside. Common otter is the other name for this animal. The mammals have thick, protective fur to help them keep warm while swimming in cold waters. The playful North American river otter is well adapted for semi-aquatic living. Otters have sharp claws on their feet to catch prey. Image of canadensis, nature, otter - 28343614 After an absence of more than a century, its … Report to U.S. Forest Service Region 1. Montana atlas of terrestrial vertebrates. The adult Northern River Otter in Montana weighs around 20 pounds and measures close to 47 inches long. Distinctive Characteristics About three to four feet long from nose to tail, the northern river otter has sleek, dark brown, waterproof fur, short legs, and a long, thick, tapered tail. Typically such dens are makeshift, from log piles or similar natural sources, but often they will use former beaver or nutria dens as well. The river otter has a long, streamlined body with dense brown fur. River otters possess long, muscular bodies suited to their life on both land and in water. Ecological Systems Associated with this Species. Northern river otters have thick lustrous fur. River otters use their fine sense of smell on land; below the water, their eyesight is far keener. North American river otters, also called Canadian otters, have long, muscular, streamlined bodies with short legs and fully webbed feet bearing non-retractable claws. The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis), also called the Canadian otter, is the most abundant species of otter. These pups stay with their mother until autumn. River otters can be found throughout much of the United States, Canada and Mexico around the Rio Grande and Colorado River deltas. Despite its common name, the North American river otter is equally comfortable in either coastal marine or freshwater habitats. He’s trying to climb up the pipe!” It was then that the explainer in me wanted to jump in and say, actually, no. Look for this PDF icon at the top of each page as you search and browse. Audio file courtesy of the Acoustic Atlas at Montana State University (www.acousticatlas.org), (Click on the following maps and charts to see full sized version), (Observations spanning multiple months or years are excluded from time charts), Montana Natural Heritage Program and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, http://FieldGuide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=AMAJF10010, Rocky Mountain Dry-Mesic Montane Mixed Conifer Forest, Northern Rocky Mountain Lower Montane Riparian Woodland and Shrubland, Rocky Mountain Lower Montane-Foothill Riparian Woodland and Shrubland, Rocky Mountain Subalpine-Montane Riparian Shrubland, Rocky Mountain Subalpine-Montane Riparian Woodland, Rocky Mountain Lower Montane, Foothill, and Valley Grassland, Rocky Mountain Subalpine-Montane Mesic Meadow, Rocky Mountain Subalpine Deciduous Shrubland, Beaver Institute (research, management, education), Beavers Northwest (conflict resolution, conservation, education), Identification Manual to the Small Mammals of British Columbia, Montana Department of Agriculture Vertebrate Pest Bulletins, Natural Heritage MapViewer (Statewide Database of Animal Observations), Species Accounts for Mammals of the World, Details on Creation and Suggested Uses and Limitations. 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The … the river otter also called the Canadian otter, is the largest member of the American!

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