River otters use their powerful hind feet to help with propulsion and their small, dexterous front feet for paddling through the water. The vulnerability and seasonal availability of prey animals mainly governs its food habits and prey choices. Are you a hunter? The tail is long, wide, and quite thick at the base. It is the noisiest otter species, and distinct vocalizations have been documented that indicate alarm, aggression, and reassurance. As it dove, it didnt have the flattened tail like a beaver, which leaves otter as the only possibility, he explained. Watch our Sea Otter Cam and see animated sea otters live now on exhibit as they swim, play with toys, lounge in ice buckets and eat during our daily feeding shows at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. ); and Ictaluridae, which consists of bullheads and catfish (Ictalurus spp.). Let's meet the 440-pound otter, the largest otter that ever lived. Their long, agile bodies enable them to quickly twist , turn, roll and dive, and they are frequently seen sliding or burrowing in the mud or snow. [29], Amphibians, where regionally accessible, have been found in the North American river otter's diet during the spring and summer months, as indicated in many of the food habit studies. There is evidence that river otters' play activities strengthensocial bonds, improvehunting techniquesand scent markterritories. [18] (The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) is the fourth Lontra member.) They are extremely easy to hunt, being active through the day and highly inquisitive. While river otters tend to live alone or in pairs, they often socialize in groups and are known for their playful behavior. A river otter is a member of the weasel family that enjoys water. Schoolchildren, however, had a more positive impression of the animal. Prey chase is rapid and tumultuous, with lunges and twists through the shallows and few missed targets. [10][24][25], Most mustelids, including otters, have 36 specialized teeth, including sharp canines and carnassials that inflict lethal bites to prey. River otters will achieve maturity between the ages of two and three, while female sea otters mature between ages three and five, and males even later between ages five and seven. It is encouraging to note that with these conservation programs, regulations on trappingand the improvement of water quality, the river otters are finally making a comeback in certain wetland areas. Even fast-swimming fish like trout slow down in extremely cold water, leaving them vulnerable. The river otter can hold its breath for up to 8 minutes Estimated Population Size Over 100,000 Biggest Threat Loss of habitat Most Distinctive Feature Long, narrow body Other Name (s) American otter, fish otter Gestation Period 58 days Litter Size one to six Habitat Ponds, lakes, rivers Predators Bobcats, coyotes, alligators, raptors Diet Carnivore Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight When the pups are about two months old and their coats grow in, their mother introduces them to the water. [36] Each family of otters was shown to have its own unique audio signature. [5] Other sources have found greater intervals, with as long as 21 to 33 months suggested for otters in the wild. Its pretty crazy to be lucky enough to see one.. but averaging 15 to 19 lbs . The neotropical otter is active during twilight and darkness, reducing the likelihood of conflict with the diurnal giant otter. [33] Concern over this endangered species has since generated a body of research. [53][56], 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. The den typically has many tunnel openings, one of which generally allows the otter to enter and exit the body of water. Enhydriodon Omoensis: The Largest Otter Ever The largest . Robin ( 1987) reported that in 1985, 50% of Eurasian otters were captive born and in 2015 approximately 77% were captive born (Rey . [42], Aggression within the species ("intraspecific" conflict) has been documented. Well suited for an aquatic life, it can close its ears and nose while underwater. [75] The animal's relatively late sexual maturity and complex social life makes hunting especially disastrous. Ammoland America's oldest Second Amendment . [70], The species has also appeared in the folklore of the region. River otter poop also contains lots of DNA, from what the otters have eaten and from the otters themselves. [41] One tentative theory for the development of sociality in mustelids is that locally abundant but unpredictably dispersed prey causes groups to form. Females appear to give birth year round, although in the wild, births may peak during the dry season. North American river otters rely upon play to learn survival skills such as fighting and hunting. In contrast the life span for this species in the wild is approximately 8-9 years. [39] In another instance in Brazil, a carcass was found with clear indications of violent assault by other otters, including bites to the snout and genitals, an attack pattern similar to that exhibited by captive animals. What is clear is that there is a delayed implantation of nine to 11 months, with actual gestation taking about 60 days. At this point, they eat solid food but are not completely weaned for another month or two. The otters typically capture prey in their mouths but occasionally use their thumbs and forepaws to grasp and manipulate prey. [17], An extinct genus, Satherium, is believed to be ancestral to the present species, having migrated to the New World during the Pliocene or early Pleistocene. Prey species found were also sedentary, generally swimming only short distances, which may aid the giant otter in predation. The giant otter seems to have evolved independently of Lontra in South America, despite the overlap. ); Cyprinidae, made up of carp (Cyprinus spp. [26][34][36][50] Otters consume more aquatic insects in the summer as the populations increase and specific life stages heighten their susceptibility. [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. Otters did not show strong preference for individual habitat components within their home range. [14][76][77], More recently, habitat destruction and degradation have become the principal dangers, and a further reduction of 50% is expected in giant otter numbers within the 20 years after 2004 (about the span of three generations of giant otters). 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. The three Guianas remain the last stronghold of giant otters in South America, with pristine giant otter habitat on some rivers and good giant otter densities overallstill, but for how long? After a few bumps, they can slide up to 22 feet on the ice. One report suggests maximum areas 28m (92ft) long and 15m (49ft) wide, well-marked by scent glands, urine, and feces to signal territory. [13] The giant otter shares the South American continent with three of the four members of the New World otter genus Lontra: the Neotropical river otter, the southern river otter, and the marine otter. Giant otters served as Yaku runa's canoes. The estrous cycle is 21 days, with females receptive to sexual advances between three and 10 days. [24] Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Ste Marie lives on the Canadian side of the Detroit River, which divides Detroit, Michigan, from Windsor, Ontario. The smaller neotropical otter is far more shy, less noisy, and less social; at about a third the weight of the giant otter, it is more vulnerable to predation, hence, a lack of conspicuousness is to its advantage. Diet of the River Otter River otters eat virtually anything that you can find near lakes or streams. North American river otters are natural swimmers and, with parental supervision, they acquire the skills necessary to swim. [30] North American river otters generally feed on prey that is in larger supply and easier to catch. Likewise, the potential predatory impact of otters may be considerable whenever fish are physically confined (most commonly in smaller ponds offering sparse cover or other escape options). [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. It lives only in the rivers and creeks of the Amazon, Orinoco, and La Plata river systems. [17] The ears are small and rounded. Using fertilizers sparingly, keeping storm drains free of litter and picking up after your pet can also improve watershed health. These analyses suggest they diverged in the Miocene epoch 23.03 to 5.33million years ago (Mya), which is "much earlier" than indicated in the fossil record. Pups grow rapidly and emerge from the den at about 2 months of age. [45] In 2010, the Colorado Department of Wildlife reported the species, reintroduced in the 1980s, was "thriving" and recommended its protection status be reconsidered. [28], Aquatic invertebrates have been recognized as an integral part of the North American river otter's diet. Oil would coat their fur and they couldnt thermoregulate and keep warm, so they died.. Other countries have taken a lead in designating protected areas in South America. The giant otter subsists almost exclusively on a diet of fish, particularly characins and catfish, but may also eat crabs, turtles, snakes and small caimans. The giant otter is an especially noisy animal, with a complex repertoire of vocalizations. [46], Giant otters build dens, which are holes dug into riverbanks, usually with multiple entrances and multiple chambers inside. [13], The otters form the subfamily Lutrinae within the mustelids and the giant otter is the only member of the genus Pteronura. 2 3 In a single dive, a river otter can travel as. 2. Try Otter Spotters! Giant Otter This South American otter is the world's largest, at some 6 feet long. Females are roughly one-third the size of males. Their small heads widen to long necks and shoulders, and they have flattened, well-muscled tails. Atypical of mustelids, the giant otter is a social species, with family groups typically supporting three to eight members. Other research maintains that river otters mate for life. [45] The giant otter seems to prefer prey fish that are generally immobile on river bottoms in clear water. [33] Crustaceans (crayfish), where regionally available, are the second-most important prey for otters. [52][53][54], In the wild, it has been suggested, although not systematically confirmed, that tourists cause similar stresses: disrupted lactation and denning, reduced hunting, and habitat abandonment are all risks. [29] In Georgia, crayfish accounted for two-thirds of the prey in the summer diet, and their remnants were present in 98% of the summer spraint. [50] Males actively participate in rearing cubs and family cohesion is strong;[51] older, juvenile siblings also participate in rearing, although in the weeks immediately after birth, they may temporarily leave the group. [6] In Spanish, river wolf (Spanish: lobo de ro) and water dog (Spanish: perro de agua) are used occasionally (though the latter also refers to several different animals) and may have been more common in the reports of explorers in the 19th and early 20th centuries. In seasonally flooded areas, the giant otter may abandon campsites during the wet season, dispersing to flooded forests in search of prey. Staff and visitors at the Toronto Zoo are mourning the death of an otter who had recently become ill. In addition to the survey data, DEC collects public sighting data for river otter and other furbearer species. The implementation of CITES in 1973 finally brought about significant hunting reductions,[14] although demand did not disappear entirely: in the 1980s, pelt prices were as high as US$250 on the European market. It is an amphibious member of this family as are the mink and sea otter. Members are our strongest champions of animal conservation and wildlife research. [62], Other species that prey upon similar food resources include the caimans and large fish that are themselves piscivores. 2:00 AM EDT, Sat May 7, 2022. About the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Your Go-to Guide for a Winter Day at the Zoo, What's New at the Smithsonians National Zoo This Summer. [4] Occasional reports also show the river otter eating other small animals, such as mice, squirrels, birds, and even dogs that they've attacked and drowned. All otters produce vocalizations, but by frequency and volume, the giant otter may be the most vocal. What to Watch for Size: 3-4' long including the tail which is about one third of the total length. Joe Jack caught what could be the state's first legally trapped river otter on Nov. 2. However, sea otters are acclimated to salt water, and come to shore only for occasional rest periods and to give birth. [70], Even if without direct predation, the giant otter must still compete with other predators for food resources. All group members may aggressively charge intruders, including boats with humans in them. and over 3 feet long, are found across North America, although their range has been significantly damaged by hunting and habitat loss. The giant otter or giant river otter[4] (Pteronura brasiliensis) is a South American carnivorous mammal. [14] Total population numbers are difficult to estimate. The species was listed as endangered in 1999 and wild population estimates are typically below 5,000. [16] Tail lengths range from 30 to 50 centimetres (12 to 20in). They appear in a fish poisoning legend where they assist a man who has wasted his sexual energy, creating the anacondas of the world from his distressed and extended genitals. [2], North American river otters, like most predators, prey upon the most readily accessible species. The fact that it is exclusively active during the day further suggests its eyesight should be strong, to aid in hunting and predator avoidance. Water pollution and other diminution of aquatic and wetland habitats may limit distribution and pose long-term threats if the enforcement of water quality standards is not upheld. While river otters tend to live alone or in pairs, they often socialize in groups and are known for their playful behavior. [30][31] Mammals preyed upon by North American river otters are characteristically small or are a type species found in riparian zones. The smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) of Asia may be its closest extant relative; similar behaviour, vocalizations, and skull morphology have been noted. North American river otter inhabitation is affected by type, distribution, and density of aquatic habitats and characteristics of human activities. Ste Marie and his partner sprinted a few hundred yards to the walkway where the otter was headed. As recently as the mid-1980s, more than 30,000 pelts were harvested annually. As a result, slow-swimming fish are consumed more often than game fishes when both are equally available. [18] Carter and Rosas found average areas a third this size. That home range shrinks drastically during breeding and rearing season. [1], Oil spills present a localized threat to otter populations, especially in coastal areas. Its body length ranges from 66 to 107 centimetres (26 to 42in). River otter. All Canadian provinces except Prince Edward Island and 29 U.S. states have viable populations that sustain annual harvests. All this information combined tells scientists a lot of information about where otters live. [25], Giant otter muzzles are short and sloping and give the head a ball-shaped appearance. [53] However, when water levels are lower, crayfish will seek out shelter while fish become more highly concentrated and susceptible to predation. [57] Fish remains were of medium-sized species that seem to prefer relatively shallow water, to the advantage of the probably visually oriented giant otter. Female otters prepare dens that they keep scrupulously clean. [33], Although they consume birds, North American river otters do not feed on bird eggs. [20] Large male North American river otters can exceed a weight of 15 kilograms (33lb). These can become quite extensive, including "backdoor" exits into forests and swamps, away from the water. [1] P. b. brasiliensis is distributed across the north of the giant otter range, including the Orinoco, Amazon, and Guianas river systems; to the south, P. b. paraguensis has been suggested in Paraguay, Uruguay, southern Brazil, and northern Argentina,[14] although it may be extinct in the last three of these four. [56] It feeds mainly on fish, including cichlids, perch, characins (such as piranha), and catfish. The den is usually dug into the bank of a stream but can be an old beaver's lodge, muskrat house or hollow tree. Average Life Span In The Wild: 8 to 9 years. So he contacted some local experts who confirmed that river otters hadnt been seen in the Detroit River for 100 years. We look for things like river otters, he said. We are thrilled that they are back, he told CNN. To protect fish in these cases, the otters may need to be removed or relocated. Otters are the largest species of the weasel family measuring in at 3-4 feet long with a 12-18 inch tail. They can stay underwater for almost eight minutes and swim at a rate of nearly seven miles per hour. [10] The North American river otter was first classified in the genus Lutra. I didnt even know it was possible to see river otters here, he said. Weight: 11 to 30 pounds. River otter fur ranges from light to dark, rich brown. Insufficient land area proportions and unsuitable substrate conditions in zoos have historically been the primary cause of high cub mortality and physical and behavioral health problems among giant otters. River otters keep their young safe by their side and in dens that . Massachusetts' largest member of the weasel family, otters weigh 11-30 pounds and are 35-50 inches long. The river otter is a remarkable animal to watch on the move, either in the water or on the shore. Schenck et al., who undertook extensive fieldwork in Peru in the 1990s, suggest specific "no-go" zones where the species is most frequently observed, offset by observation towers and platforms to allow viewing. [8], The North American river otter was first described by German naturalist Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber in 1777. [48][49] They then search for new territory to begin a family of their own. These otters are frequently observed playing and sliding together. Duplaix documented interaction with the Neotropical otter. [63], Local people sometimes take pups for the exotic pet trade or as pets for themselves, but the animal rapidly grows to become unmanageable. Where the paths hug the river banks you can watch the birdlife and find evidence of animal activity. Jan. 20, 2022 5:24 PM PT. Howdyshell said he was able to take video of the river otter to prove he and Molly weren't hallucinating. [32][50] Susceptibility of these species is greatest during the summer (when waterfowl broods are vulnerable) and autumn. They live in riparian zones, which are the areas that border stream, rivers, and lakes. North American river otters, also called Canadian otters, have long, muscular, streamlined bodies with short legs and fully webbed feet bearing non-retractable claws. When threatened or frightened, they emit a hair-raising scream that can be heard up to 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) across the water. River otters are incredible swimmers. Reintroduction of river otters may present a problem in that it may contaminate the genetic structure of the native population. [50] The few occurrences of mammals found in the North American river otter's diet include remains of the muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus); meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus); eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus); and snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus). 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