For many years otters have been hunted for their fur. [20] Nora Bowers, Rick Bowen, and Kenn Kaufman. Acid drainage from coal mines is a persistent water quality issue in some areas, as it eliminates otter prey. [28] 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. A North American river otter's main requirements are a steady food supply and easy access to a body of water. This dilemma prevents, and consequently inhibits, recolonization or growth of North American river otter populations. 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. Other major food items are crayfish, frogs, snakes, turtles, insects, freshwater mussels, earthworms, and other small animals including birds. Although state wildlife-management agencies use a variety of techniques to monitor changes in river otter population size and distribution, regulated harvest-management programs provide the foundation for the much of the population monitoring that occurs. North American river otter inhabitation is affected by type, distribution, and density of aquatic habitats and characteristics of human activities. About 13 different species exist around the world, but only two types - the River Otters and the Sea Otters live in the USA. (c) Diddlecome Dawcock, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND). We thank the many state natural resource agencies for their responses and cooperation. The otter can close its ears and nostrils when diving. 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. 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. Wild Furbearer Management and Conservation in North America. 2630 Cahaba Road 1996. We surveyed state wildlife agency experts regarding 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. 2003). Little effort has gone into assessing the threat of disease to wild North American river otter populations, so it is poorly understood and documented. Based on this 2016 survey, 22 states reported increasing populations, 25 states reported stable populations, and 2 states (Arizona and Washington) reported an uncertain population trend (Table 1). [9] Other documented common names are American otter, Canada otter, Canadian otter, fish otter, land otter, nearctic river otter, and Prince of Wales otter. in hatcheries or other fish culture facilities). Mating season depends on the latitude in which the otter was born. 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. We surveyed state wildlife agency experts to assess the current population and regulatory status of river otters in their jurisdictions. [26] Additional premolars may be present. Reproduction: Once yearly with an average litter of 2-3 and up to 6. Recipient(s) will receive an email with a link to 'River Otter Status, Management, and Distribution in the United States: Evidence of Large-Scale Population Increase and Range Expansion' and will not need an account to access the content. It establishes a burrow close to the water's edge in river, lake, swamp, coastal shoreline, tidal flat, or estuary ecosystems. The tail makes up approximately 40 percent of the otters total length, which ranges from three to four-and-one-half feet. Litter size ranges anywhere from one to five pups. In addition, riverine habitats in interior regions supported smaller, but practical, otter populations. Estimated range of river otters Lontra canadensis in the United States during 2016 compared with 1998 (estimated from Melquist et al. Otters are known for their playful nature, even as adults. Peterson Field Guide, Mammals. The North American river otters may leave the den by eight weeks and are capable of sustaining themselves upon the arrival of fall, but they usually stay with their families, which sometimes include the father, until the following spring. 1999. Now they are gone from the central and eastern United States, and extinct or rare in Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, and West Virginia. Males sometimes form a group with other young males until breeding season; otherwise a group of otters is typically a female with her young pups or pups from the previous litter. this appendix subjects river otters to international restrictions and state/province export quotas because of their resemblance to European Otters. Assessments of river otter populations within the contiguous United States have occurred periodically since their inclusion in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (e.g., Polechla 1990, Raesly 2001, Melquist et al. 2003) indicated that changes in river otter distribution occurred primarily in the contiguous United States and that river otters had expanded their range by approximately 13.7% during an 18-y period (Table 2). 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). North American river otters can close their nostrils to keep water out during long dives. [26] Other fish an integral part of the North American river otters' diets are those that are often plentiful and found in large schools: sunfish (Lepomis spp. To protect fish in these cases, the otters may need to be removed or relocated. 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. The River Otters are smaller and weigh between 10-30 pound. They are fast, agile swimmers and able to out-maneuver their prey. 2010). Otters can travel several miles over land to reach another body of water to set up new territories. [27], North American river otters are renowned for their sense of play. [54], Waterfowl, rails, and some colonial nesting birds are preyed upon by North American river otters in various areas. They are very flexible and can make sharp, sudden turns that help them catch fish. These hydrodynamic members of the weasel family are voracious predators. Males are generally larger than females. [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. River otters are challenging to monitor because of their secretive nature and the fact that they naturally occur at relatively low densities on the landscape. 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. They can drink while under water due to a special valve in their nose. 2003). (c) 2013 California Academy of Sciences, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA). [10] The North American river otter was first classified in the genus Lutra. The American river otter is a graceful and beautiful addition to many North Carolina rivers. Reintroduction projects have expanded their distribution in recent years, especially in the Midwestern United States. Since inclusion under Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, the U.S. [12], Molecular biological techniques have been used to determine when the river otter and the giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) of South America diverged. [50] Fish species frequently found in the diets of the North American river otters include: Catostomidae, which consists of suckers (Catostomus spp.) The Otter is having a snack as it swims by . Otters have sharp claws and webbing between toes on all four feet. Similarly, we estimated that river otters occupied approximately 5,000,550 km2nearly 63% of the land area of the contiguous United Statesand that the potential river otter range was approaching 5,556,200 km2. [34] Fish remnants were found in 91.9% of the samples. [33] Otters have been found to consume invasive Asian carp. [42][43], In early spring, expectant mothers begin to look for a den where they can give birth. Please note: The Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supplemental material. Scientific name: Lutra canadensis. Females allow the male to return after approximately 10 to12 weeks to assist with rearing and teaching the pups essential survival skills. [53] A study conducted on North American river otters in a southwestern Arkansas swamp identified a correlation between crayfish consumption, fish consumption, and water levels. CREATIVE. [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. 2008). Sea otters have the amazing capacity of being able to eat up to 25% of their body weight in food . North American river otters are not scavengers; they avoid consuming carrion (dead animals). [29][30], The diet of the North American river otter can be deduced by analyzing either stool obtained in the field,[31] or gut contents removed from trapped otters. William H. Burt and Richard P. Grossehnheider. Their playful snow and mud sliding, tail chasing, water play, and snow burrowing activities also serve other purposesthey help strengthen social bonds and let young otters practice hunting techniques. 2018). North America's largest North American river otter populations were found in areas with an abundance and diversity of aquatic habitats, such as coastal marshes, the Great Lakes region, and glaciated areas of New England. River otters have a high dispersal capacity and are capable of extensive long-distance movements over land, including mountainous terrain and across watersheds (Magoun and Valkenburg 1977, Melquist and Hornocker 1983). The species is also present throughout Alaska, including the Aleutian Islands, and the north slope of the Brooks Range. STATUS: Identification. HABITAT: We reiterate Chilelli et al. An adult river otter can weigh between 5.0and14kg (11.0and 31lb). [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. [36], North American river otters may prefer to feed on crustaceans, especially crayfish (Cambarus, Pacifasticus, and others) and crabs[52] more than fish where they are locally and seasonally plentiful. A river otter chews on a chunk of raw fish during feeding time at the Florida Aquarium in Tampa in 2021.. Native Habitat Houghton Mifflin Co., New York, NY. It enters the English Channel at the western end of Lyme Bay, part of the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.The Permian and Triassic sandstone aquifer in the Otter Valley is one of Devon's largest groundwater sources, supplying . ); Cyprinidae, made up of carp (Cyprinus spp. If frightened or alarmed, otters can run at speeds up to 18 miles per hour. By continuing to use our website, you are agreeing to, Submit to Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management, Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management: Online Early, Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management: Current and Available Issues, Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management: Cover Gallery, https://doi.org/10.3996/102018-JFWM-093.S1, https://doi.org/10.3996/102018-JFWM-093.S2. 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. Crait, J.R. and M. Ben-David. Therefore, fish are more vulnerable to being preyed upon by otters because the crayfish have become more difficult to obtain. [34] Most aquatic invertebrates preyed upon by the otters are from the families Odonata (dragonfly nymphs), Plecoptera (stonefly nymphs), and Coleoptera (adult beetles). 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). Lontra canadensis. American Midland Naturalist 156: 189-192. Critter Control near me The river otter is adapted for both land and water with short legs, webbed toes, and a strong, flattened tail. Their ears are small and almost inconspicuous. River otter fur ranges from light to dark, rich brown. Predators: Include the bobcat, coyote and birds of . Impounded for the creation of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, barge traffic and recreational boats are now able to move all the way from the Tennessee River to the Port of Mobile. The otters migrated to North America and southwards again across the Panamanian Land Bridge, which formed 3Mya. River otter Lontra canadensis population and regulatory status, population monitoring methods used, intent and outcome of reintroduction efforts, and frequency of harvest regulation reviews in 49 states (Hawaii excluded) within the United States in 2016. [33], Although they consume birds, North American river otters do not feed on bird eggs. Crustaceans may even be consumed more than fish. They can stay underwater for as many as eight minutes. Potential responses concerning legal status included regulated harvest, no harvest, state threatened, or state endangered. [10], The North American river otter has long whiskers that are used to detect prey in dark waters. (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. (c) Matt Muir, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA). 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. Consequently, many wildlife management agencies developed strategies to restore or enhance otter populations, including the use of reintroduction projects. [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. [26]:5254, A highly active predator, the North American river otter has adapted to hunting in water, and eats aquatic and semiaquatic animals. Periodic assessments of river otter status, population trends, and geographic distribution are needed to detect changes in populations, assess management approaches, and to identify and prioritize conservation efforts. [58][59][37][60], Threats to North American river otter populations in North America vary regionally. The remaining states indicated that they reintroduced river otters to expand populations in their state beyond their current range, including three states that indicated that reintroductions were also used to reestablish extirpated populations and seven states that used reintroductions to bolster populations where they already existed (Table 1). As of 2016, 23 states had conducted river otter reintroductions. Twenty-two states reported increasing populations while 25 reported stable populations. They once lived in streams, rivers, lakes, swamps, and coastal areas throughout Canada and the United States. [54], During the winter and spring, when the water levels were higher, North American river otters had a greater tendency to prey upon crayfish (73% of scats had crayfish remains) rather than fish. [19] An average adult male weighs about 11.3 kilograms (25lb) against the female's average of 8.3 kilograms (18lb). Daniel Toole, Wildlife Biologist, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. [30][32] They are less likely to be prey for the North American river otters since they are fast-swimming and can find good escape cover. Their tails are muscular, dorsally flattened and tapered. The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis), also known as the northern river otter or the common otter, is a semiaquatic mammal endemic to the North American continent found in and along its waterways and coasts. editors of this guide it should copy everything, but if you're not, it They have also been known to eat aquatic plants and to prey on other small mammals, such as muskrats or rabbits. River otter status, management, and distribution in the United States: evidence of large-scale population increase and range expansion. In the wild, their lifespan is approximately 8 to 9 years; in captivity it increases to about 15 to 20 years. The river otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur. Typically near bodies of water including streams, rivers, lakes and fresh and salt water marshes. An entrance, which may be under water or above ground, leads to a nest chamber lined with leaves, grass, moss, bark, and hair. North American river otters also currently inhabit coastal regions throughout the United States and Canada. [28] Otters are known to take larger fish on land to eat, whereas smaller fish are consumed in the water. The dens have entrances underwater so they can be easily accessed from the water. The North American River Otter has a long, sleek body with a long, tapered tail covered in short, dense dark brown fur. Prior to the arrival of the next litter, the North American river otter yearlings venture out in search of their own home ranges.[44]. Length: 35-50 inches. 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. 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. Harvest-based surveys were the most commonly used monitoring approach, being used by 35 states (Table 1). FEEDING HABITS: Probably present statewide in association with rivers, creeks, and lakes, especially open water bordered with wooded habitat. Their gestational period can last anywhere from two months to one year, as otters are capable of delayed implantation. Researchers also rely on game cams that they set up to catch pictures and videos of otters in the night. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. The North American river otter is found throughout North America, inhabiting inland waterways and coastal areas in Canada, the Pacific Northwest, the Atlantic states, and the Gulf of Mexico. 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 North American River Otter has a long, sleek body with a long, tapered tail covered in short, dense dark brown fur. River otters communicate with whistles, yelps, growls, and screams, as well as touch and body posture. [35] However, North American river otters, as foragers, will immediately take advantage of other prey when readily obtainable. [1996], Roberts et al. [50] Likewise, the common carp (Cyprinus carpio) is a preferred fish species for the North American river otter in other regions of Colorado. Diet Carnivore, Piscivores Mating Habits MATING BEHAVIOR Polygyny River Otters can be thought of - and in a very real sense are - semi-aquatic weasels. [50] The few occurrences of mammals found in the North American river otter's diet include: muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus); meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus); eastern cottontails (Sylvilagus floridanus); and snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus). 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.). Sometimes they eat aquatic plants. river otter devon. Females are approximately one-third smaller than males. Field Guide to Mammals, North America. This article will refer to the twelve species of river otter, information about sea otters can be viewed here. As of 2016, >4,000 river otters have been translocated to 23 states in one of the most ambitious and extensive carnivore restoration efforts in history (Erb et al. Of the remaining 37 states; 24 states reviewed regulations promptly or annually and 10 states reviewed harvest regulations in cycles of 23 y; Michigan reported that regulations are reviewed every 2 to 3 years and promptly as needed (Table 1). [49] However, large populations never occurred in areas of Southern California such as the chaparral and oak woodlands and Mojave Desert seasonal waterway regions, or in the xeric shrubland regions in New Mexico, Texas, Nevada, and Colorado. River otters line their dens with leaves, moss, and grass. A number of reintroduction projects have been initiated to help halt the reduction in the overall population. The North American River Otter weighs on average 10 to 30 pounds and measures approximately two to four feet long from head to tail. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 11(1):279286; e1944-687X. https://doi.org/10.3996/102018-JFWM-093. [11], In a new classification, the species is called Lontra canadensis, where the genus Lontra includes all the New World river otters. 2003). The Smithsonian Book of North American Mammals. 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. Chasing is also a common game. Only one state, Utah, had conducted river otter reintroductions since 2010. Although methodologies and sampling scales differed from the approach used in our assessment, comparisons of land areas occupied during each period provided a coarse-scale basis for estimates of population expansion or retraction during an 18-y period. Where an otter looks seal-like, a mink looks ferret-like, however. [36] A study conducted on captive otters revealed they preferred larger fish, ranging from 15 to 17 centimeters (5.9 to 6.7in), more than smaller fish, ranging from 8 to 10 centimeters (3.1 to 3.9in), and they had difficulty catching fish species less than 10 centimeters (3.9in) or larger than 17 centimeters (6.7in). We estimated that river otter distribution increased by 10.2% in the continental United States and by 13.7% in the contiguous United States during an 18-y period. [38][40], When left unchecked, though, otters can be significant predators under certain circumstances (e.g. Also, North American river otters have large molars used for crushing hard objects, such as the shells of molluscs. Young otter pups attain sexual maturity at two years of age and at that time are driven away to establish their own territory. Photo Credit: U.S. [13] Fossils of a giant river otter dating back 3.5 Mya (during the Pliocene)[14] have been found in the US Midwest; however, fossils of the modern river otter did not appear in North America until about 1.9Mya. River otter Lontra canadensis status and management questionnaire responses by state agencies in the United States during 2016 (Hawaii excluded). The ears appear large on its small flattened head. [16], North American river otters can live 2125 years in captivity,[23][16] or 813 years in the wild. In 4 seconds, you will be redirected to nwfactionfund.org, the site of the National Wildlife Action Fund, a 501(c)(4) organization. River otters were legally harvested in 40 states as of 2016. Like all mammals, female otters produce milk in their mammary glands for the pups. According to WTMJ-TV, the Milwaukee County Zoo in Milwaukee shared the news . Male North American river otters do not seem to be territorial, and newly dispersing males may join established male groups. However, it is sensitive to pollution, and will disappear from tainted areas. Water quality and development inhibit recovery of populations in some areas. In the winter, crayfish made up one-third of the North American river otter's diet. You will often see an otter swimming for a distance up a river, popping its head out to look in your direction. Life expectancy is less than 10 years in the wild. 2003). Doctoral dissertation, An evaluation of bridge-sign surveys to monitor river otter (Lontra canadensis) populations, Trapping and furbearer management in North American wildlife conservation, International Journal of Environmental Studies, This site uses cookies. 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. 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. Harvest regulations are reviewed frequently by most states that allow harvest (Table 1). North American river otters rely upon play to learn survival skills such as fighting and hunting. States reported a variety of methods that were used to monitor river otter populations. The river otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur. River otters are also valued as a game species and furbearer (Melquist et al. The dens have entrances underwater so they can be easily accessed from the water. Their fur is dark brown over much of the body, and lighter brown on the belly and face. Mink, Muskrat, Otter, and Striped Skunk Season 2022-2023. [20] Large male North American river otters can exceed a weight of 15 kilograms (33lb). In Mexico, the North American river otters lived in the Rio Grande and Colorado River Deltas. [1] They are now absent or rare in Arizona, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, and West Virginia. They have small, round heads with small eyes and ears and prominent whiskers. [34] However, many other studies did not report any findings of North American beaver remains in the scat sampled. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 10 June 2020; 11 (1): 279286. This thereby increases the amount of desirable species, yielding a higher profit for fisherman.