April . The neotropical otter is active during twilight and darkness, reducing the likelihood of conflict with the diurnal giant otter. [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. In warmer times, you may also see otters sliding down a riverbank. Some clouds. . Try Otter Spotters! Otter play mostly consists of wrestling with conspecifics. 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. River otters are an indicator species, according to Hartig, acting as a measure of cleanliness in the water. It tapers to a point. [85][86] Bolivia designated wetlands larger than the size of Switzerland as a freshwater protected area in 2001; these are also home to the giant otter. However, it is sensitive to pollution, and will disappear from tainted areas. It can tolerate a great range of temperature and elevations. In a Facebook post on Friday evening, the zoo said a 13-year-old female North American river . The giant otter averages 145 to 180 cm (57-71 in. ). North Andover, MA (01845) Today. [47] In Canada, North American river otters occupy all provinces and territories, except until recently Prince Edward Island. North American river otters, also called Canadian otters, have long, muscular, streamlined bodies with short legs and fully webbed feet bearing non-retractable claws. [23], North American river otters consume an extensive assortment of fish species ranging in size from 2 to 50 centimeters (0.79 to 19.69in) that impart sufficient caloric intake for a minute amount of energy expenditure. [62], Other species that prey upon similar food resources include the caimans and large fish that are themselves piscivores. [7] All four names are in use in South America, with a number of regional variations. [13] Both species also show strong pair bonding and paternal engagement in rearing cubs. My venture into the world of American River Otter proved that the conservation & educational projects have resulted in a stable and growing population. But cleanup efforts in the past few decades have paved the way for the otters return to the river. [55] Trappers in Alberta, Canada commonly assert North American river otters are major predators of North American beavers. Otter births occur most frequently in March or April. SmithsoniansNationalZoo& ConservationBiologyInstitute [2], North American river otters, like most predators, prey upon the most readily accessible species. [34] Duplaix identified nine distinct sounds, with further subdivisions possible, depending on context. 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. 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. [53] However, when water levels are lower, crayfish will seek out shelter while fish become more highly concentrated and susceptible to predation. Duplaix documented interaction with the Neotropical otter. 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. ), and the maximum movement recorded was 7.3 km (4.5 mi.). [34] A 1994 river otter study reported findings of beaver remains in 27 of 1,191 scats analyzed. [48] The animal reaches sexual maturity at about two years of age and both male and female pups leave the group permanently after two to three years. The giant otter has a handful of other names. They also receive mice, carrots, hard-boiled eggs, clams, crayfish, dry kibble, crickets and live fish for variety and enrichment. Well, with a lot of help from a friend, who did some of his own research, this is what he found about Walter Bolstridge's world record otter: [19] An average adult male weighs about 11.3 kilograms (25lb) against the female's average of 8.3 kilograms (18lb). These otters are frequently observed playing and sliding together. These include providing at least the minimum recommended land-to-water area ratio, and that all enclosure land surfaces (both artificial and natural) are nearly entirely covered with the recommended substrate conditions (e.g. In fact, baby river otters, or pups, can't swim at all. [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. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight [63] It occurs in freshwater rivers and streams, which generally flood seasonally. By the early 1900s, North American river otter populations had declined throughout large portions of their historic range in North America. [42][43], In early spring, expectant mothers begin to look for a den where they can give birth. but averaging 15 to 19 lbs . There are 13 species of otters around the world, according to the Integrated Taxonomic Information System. [47], Details of giant otter reproduction and life cycle are scarce, and captive animals have provided much of the information. [79][80], Other threats to the giant otter include conflict with fishermen, who often view the species as a nuisance (see below). 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. Ste Marie and his partner sprinted a few hundred yards to the walkway where the otter was headed. There is evidence that river otters' play activities strengthensocial bonds, improvehunting techniquesand scent markterritories. [78] Duplaix relates the story of an Arawak Indian who took two pups from their parents. Jan. 20, 2022 5:24 PM PT. [11], In a new classification, the species is called Lontra canadensis, where the genus Lontra includes all the New World river otters. Two river dolphins, the tucuxi and boto, might potentially compete with the giant otter, but different spatial use and dietary preferences suggest minimal overlap. These can become quite extensive, including "backdoor" exits into forests and swamps, away from the water. [31][33], Mammals are rarely consumed by North American river otters, and are not a major dietary component. Usually when I see something like that, its a muskrat or a mink, which are much more common in this area., How otters and beavers returned to one of the world's greatest golf courses. 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. HISTORY . [26], Male North American river otters disperse from such family groups more often than females. [52] Other causes of death include accidents, gastroenteritis, infanticide, and epileptic seizures. River otters will eat just about any living creature they can catch. 2003 ). The otter can attack from both above and below, swiveling at the last instant to clamp the prey in its jaws. [27], North American river otters are renowned for their sense of play. ", "North American River Otter National Wildlife Federation", "Basic Facts About North American River Otters", "Distribution and abundance of river otter in Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota", "Food habits of the river otter in Suisun Marsh, Central California", "Feeding relationships of river otters in northeastern Pennsylvania", Food habits of the North American river otter (, "Social Networks and the Formation and Maintenance of River Otter Groups", "Art Lander's Outdoors: Once endangered river otters now likely to be found in Kentucky for generations", Colorado Otters May No Longer Need Protection, How river otters are making a comeback on P.E.I. Giant otters served as Yaku runa's canoes. 2:00 AM EDT, Sat May 7, 2022. [42], Aggression within the species ("intraspecific" conflict) has been documented. [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. [14], In 2021, conservationists at Fundacin Rewilding spotted a wild giant river otter swimming in the Bermejo River in Impenetrable National Park, located in the Chaco province of northeast Argentina. [13] Later gene sequencing research on the mustelids, from 2004, places the divergence of the giant otter somewhat later, between five and 11million years ago; the corresponding phylogenetic tree locates the Lontra divergence first among otter genera, and Pteronura second, although divergence ranges overlap. Ensuring that the animals have sufficient privacy from human disturbances (visual and acoustic, from zoo staff or visitors) at parturition and during cub-rearing is also essential, but not sufficient. [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. River otters exhibit a variety of vocalizations, ranging from whistles andbuzzes to twitters, staccato chuckles, chirps and growls. The animal is susceptible to a variety of diseases, including canine parvovirus. [62] The spectacled caiman is another potential competitor, but Duplaix found no conflict with the species in Suriname. As recently as the mid-1980s, more than 30,000 pelts were harvested annually. The entire group, including nonreproductive adults, which are usually older siblings to that year's pups, collaborates to catch enough fish for the young. [38][40], When left unchecked, though, otters can be significant predators under certain circumstances (e.g. Even when told of the importance of the species to ecosystems and the danger of extinction, interviewees showed little interest in continuing to coexist with the species. [5][6][7], The range of the North American river otter has been significantly reduced by habitat loss, beginning with the European colonization of the Americas. [17] The ears are small and rounded. [70], Even if without direct predation, the giant otter must still compete with other predators for food resources. We thought were next, Detroit River is next, he said. The giant otter is diurnal, being active exclusively during daylight hours. [20] About one-third of the animal's total length consists of a long, tapered tail. With the tail's strong, undulating movement, a river otter propels itself through the water as fast as 8 miles(13 kilometers) per hour and can easily dive to 36 feet (11 meters) or more. If the river is cleaner for the river otter, maybe its cleaner for you and me, he added. This ancient otter weighed as much as an adult lion. Its body length ranges from 66 to 107 centimetres (26 to 42in). The estrous cycle is 21 days, with females receptive to sexual advances between three and 10 days. [47], Suriname still has significant forest cover and an extensive system of protected areas, much of which protects the giant otter. At the moment, it's not clear where this . On average, male otters weigh 25lbs and are about 48in in length . The first beavers to live wild in England for centuries are to be allowed to remain in their new home on the River Otter in east Devon after a five-year reintroduction trial. [32] The North American river otters have also been known to catch and consume moulting American wigeon (Mareca americana) and green-winged teal (Anas crecca). Members are our strongest champions of animal conservation and wildlife research. A Warner Bros. As a result, slow-swimming fish are consumed more often than game fishes when both are equally available. 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. What is clear is that there is a delayed implantation of nine to 11 months, with actual gestation taking about 60 days. It constructs extensive campsites close to feeding areas, clearing large amounts of vegetation. The tail is highly muscular and comprises up to 40 percent of the otter'stotal body length. and over 3 feet long, are found across North America, although their range has been significantly damaged by hunting and habitat. [28] Unique markings of white or cream fur color the throat and under the chin, allow individuals to be identified from birth. [57][58][37][59], Threats to North American river otter populations in North America vary regionally. The river otter ( Lutra canadensis) is the best swimmer of the weasel, or Mustelidae, family. When the mothers have established their domains, they give birth to several kits. Newborn pups squeak to elicit attention, while older young whine and wail when they begin to participate in group activities. Habitat degradation and loss is the greatest current threat. [50] Fish species frequently found in the diets of the North American river otters include: Catostomidae, which consists of suckers (Catostomus spp.) A river otter is a member of the weasel family that enjoys water. Although the distribution became reduced in some regions of southern Canada, the only province-wide extinction occurred on Prince Edward Island. Name: Lontra weiri. However, North American river otters remain rare or absent in the southwestern United States. )[78] The animal sometimes drowns in nets set across rivers and machete attacks by fishermen have been noted, according to Duplaix, but "tolerance is the rule" in Suriname. [52] This sensitivity is matched by a strong protectiveness towards the young. They will feed on fish, invertebrates, frogs, clams, crayfish, and small mammals or birds. But the otters return is a beacon of hope for conservationists and environmentalists alike. Consequently, many wildlife management agencies developed strategies to restore or enhance otter populations, including the use of reintroduction projects. [22][23] Early reports of skins and living animals suggested exceptionally large males of up to 2.4m (7ft 10+12in); intensive hunting likely reduced the occurrence of such massive specimens. ), and other game fish during spawning. They are found throughout most of North America - from the Rio Grande in Northern Mexico to Canada and Alaska. The otters and their environment still face challenges, including climate change, urban runoff, and the continued legacy of the industrial revolution in the form of contaminated sediments in these rivers and harbors, Hartig said. The survival of the giant otter populations in the Guianas is essential to the survival of this endangered species in South America. [14] Total population numbers are difficult to estimate. [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. In captivity, this may increase to 17, with an unconfirmed record of 19. They have been virtually eliminated through many parts of their range, especially around heavily populated areas in the midwestern and eastern United States. We are thrilled that they are back, he told CNN. However, urbanization and pollution instigated reductions in range area. [26][33], Amphibians and reptiles are more obtainable by the North American river otter during the spring and summer as a result of breeding activity, appropriate temperatures, and water supply for the prey. [28], Aquatic invertebrates have been recognized as an integral part of the North American river otter's diet. Photo by Andrea Westmoreland. Otter fur is dark brown, short, and dense (hundreds of hairs/square inch) creating a smooth, sleek body and tail. appreciated. Pups grow rapidly and emerge from the den at about 2 months of age. They hunt singly or in pairsand although otters generally forage in water, they are equally at home on land, sometimes traveling between 10 and18 miles (16 and 29 kilometers) in search of food. [20] Large male North American river otters can exceed a weight of 15 kilograms (33lb). [70] One difference in behavior was seen in the country in 2002: the normally inquisitive giant otters showed "active avoidance behavior with visible panic" when boats appeared. Whale watching is . At this point, they eat solid food but are not completely weaned for another month or two. They noted that the species may be the basal divergence among the otters or fall outside of them altogether, having split even before other mustelids, such as the ermine, polecat, and mink. Despite its common name, the North American river otter is equally comfortable in either coastal marine or freshwater habitats. Meaning: Lontra is the genus name of American otters, and weiri honors guitarist Bob Weir. [84] In a report for World Wildlife Fund in 2002, Duplaix was emphatic about the importance of Suriname and the other Guianas:[63] .mw-parser-output .templatequote{overflow:hidden;margin:1em 0;padding:0 40px}.mw-parser-output .templatequote .templatequotecite{line-height:1.5em;text-align:left;padding-left:1.6em;margin-top:0}. 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. ), with a maximum recorded length of 240 cm (94 in. It establishes a burrow close to the water's edge in river, lake, swamp, coastal shoreline, tidal flat, or estuary ecosystems. They give birth between August and September, and the young pups emerge for the first time in October and November, which are the months of lowest water when fish concentrations in the dwindling lakes and channels are at their peak. [33] Crustaceans (crayfish), where regionally available, are the second-most important prey for otters. Acid drainage from coal mines is a persistent water quality issue in some areas, as it eliminates otter prey. [41] One tentative theory for the development of sociality in mustelids is that locally abundant but unpredictably dispersed prey causes groups to form. [74], The animal faces a variety of critical threats. The den typically has many tunnel openings, one of which generally allows the otter to enter and exit the body of water. [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. North American river otter inhabitation is affected by type, distribution, and density of aquatic habitats and characteristics of human activities. River otter poop also contains lots of DNA, from what the otters have eaten and from the otters themselves. [16] Each otter pup weighs approximately five ounces. North American river otters ( Lontra canadensis) can grow up to four feet from the tip of their nose to the tip of their tail and weigh up to 30 pounds. While river otters tend to live alone or in pairs, they often socialize in groups and are known for their playful behavior. The North American river otter is one of several carnivorans included in ongoing research of respiratory turbinates by Dr. Van Valkenburgh. Water quality and development inhibit recovery of populations in some areas. The groups are centered on a dominant breeding pair and are extremely cohesive and cooperative. River otters, semiaquatic mammals that can grow up to 30 lbs. breaks world record. [75] The animal's relatively late sexual maturity and complex social life makes hunting especially disastrous. Although it holds the title of being the world's longest weasel, it's classified as endangered. [78] Specific threats from human industry include unsustainable mahogany logging in parts of the giant otter range,[75] and concentrations of mercury in its diet of fish, a byproduct of gold mining. Use them in commercial designs under lifetime, perpetual & worldwide rights. [52], Studies of giant otters in captivity have given indications about the environment necessary to both maintain a physically and behaviorally healthy population and allow successful cub-rearing. An adult North American river otter can weigh between 5.0 and 14 kg (11.0 and 30.9 lb). [58] The giant otter seems to be opportunistic, taking whatever species are most locally abundant. [2] In the former, investigation has shown thinly distributed population remnants. [63] Duplaix identified two critical factors in habitat selection: food abundance, which appears to positively correlate to shallow water, and low sloping banks with good cover and easy access to preferred water types. The European River Otter shares similar sleeping habits, spending most of the day sleeping in undergrowth or the holes which are their dens. [72] Its smaller prey, different denning habits, and different preferred water types also reduce interaction. in hatcheries or other fish culture facilities). This makes it easier for the adults to catch enough fish for the growing young, and for the pups to learn how to catch fish. [33] Specific species of reptiles and amphibians prey include: boreal chorus frogs (Pseudacris maculata); Canadian toads (Bufo hemiophrys); wood frogs (Rana sylvatica);[34] bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana); green frogs (Rana clamitans);[36] northwestern salamanders (Ambystoma gracile); California giant salamander (Dicamptodon ensatus); rough-skinned newt (Taricha granulosa);[33] and garter snakes (Thamnophis). The giant otter ranges across north-central South America; it lives mostly in and along the Amazon River and in the Pantanal. The government gave . When the pups are about two months old and their coats grow in, their mother introduces them to the water. [16], Males and female river otters show different non-sexual physical characteristics,[23] with males typically being larger. River otters are North America's only otter species. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. [48], Mothers give birth to furred and blind cubs in an underground den near the river shore and fishing sites. The den is usually dug into the bank of a stream but can be an old beaver's lodge, muskrat house or hollow tree. [36], North American river otters may prefer to feed on crustaceans, especially crayfish (Cambarus, Pacifasticus, and others) and crabs[23] more than fish where they are locally and seasonally plentiful. [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. [15][16] The New World river otters originated from the Old World river otters following a migration across the Bering Land Bridge, which existed off and on between 1.8million and 10,000 years ago. 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. They can stay underwater for almost eight minutes and swim at a rate of nearly seven miles per hour. Fish from the order Perciformes, particularly cichlids and perch, were seen in 97% of scats, and Characiformes, such as characins, in 86%. 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. North American river otters are natural swimmers and, with parental supervision, they acquire the skills necessary to swim. The river otter ( Lontra canadensis) is a key bio-indicator of the health of our environment as they sit at the top of this water-based food chain. The most common fish consumed are perch, suckers, and catfish. 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. [42] Population densities varied with a high of 1.2/km2 (3.1/sqmi) reported in Suriname and with a low of 0.154/km2 (0.40/sqmi) found in Guyana. [35] An analysis published in 2014 cataloged 22 distinct types of vocalization in adults and 11 in neonates. [5] Other sources have found greater intervals, with as long as 21 to 33 months suggested for otters in the wild. [1] Otters have recently re-established themselves on Prince Edward Island. [65] They clear significant amounts of vegetation while building their campsites. His Mad Magazine work is iconic, and he holds the Guinness World Record for longest cartoonist career. And new research on the patterns of the hunting trade has revealed how the giant otter's biology, including its monogamous tendencies and boisterous social lifestyle, may have undermined its. Appearance: Dark shiny brown fur. While revealing of the affection held for the animals, the seizure was a profound blow to the breeding pair, which went on to lose their territory to competitors. Sliding is a thing. North American river otters get their boundless energy from their very high metabolism, which also requires that they eat a great deal during the day. Aquatic life ties North American river otters almost exclusively to permanent watersheds. Discovery Company. Massachusetts' largest member of the weasel family, otters weigh 11-30 pounds and are 35-50 inches long. bobcats, alligators, coyotes, and raptors are among the large predators that prey on river otters. He grabbed his camera and then got a video of the otters head bobbing out of the water. The giant otter is an especially noisy animal, with a complex repertoire of vocalizations. Lutra was the early European name (from Latin), and the specific epithet canadensis[9] means "of Canada". [22], Its whiskers (vibrissae) are long and thick, enhancing their senses. In Brazil it is known as ariranha, from the Tup word ari'raa, meaning water jaguar (Portuguese: ona-d'gua). A river otter is a small, aquatic mammal that can be found in rivers and lakes in North America. Dna, from the otters themselves is highly muscular and comprises up to 40 percent of the American. Underwater for almost eight minutes and swim at a rate of nearly seven miles per hour sleek body tail! Pups from their parents but the otters themselves 60 days inches long 's total length consists of a,! Active during twilight and darkness, reducing the likelihood of conflict with the giant... To 10 mph.. Tonight [ 63 ] it occurs in freshwater rivers and lakes in America... 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