These otters feed on fish, crayfish, insects, turtles, frogs, and other water animals. The pelage is short and very dense, ranging from pale brown to black. According to Anderson, otters were still being pursued for their pelts into the 20th Century. River otters live up to 15 years in the wild and up to 25 years in captivity. If you’re on a river in the middle of the North American continent, far away from any seaboard: it’s a river otter. About North American River Otters. Physiological adaptations are internal body processes that make an animal better suited to certain environmental challenges. Summary 7 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.An adult river otter can weigh between 5.0 and 14 kg (11.0 and 31 lb). This month’s Creature Feature is the North American river otter. North American River Otter Lontra canadensis. However, just because an otter is spotted on the coast does not mean it’s a sea otter. One of the animals that can be found in the North American Taiga is the river otter. I found three North American river otter at the first pond at Dead Horse Ranch, Cottonwood, Arizona. River Otter Facts: Animals of North America. Browse 312 north american river otter stock photos and images available, or search for red panda or alligator to find more great stock photos and pictures. By James Burton on April 25 2017 in Environment. Amphibious, muscular river otters swim gracefully and quickly underwater to catch prey, and they can run on land. North American River Otter North American river otters. Published by at December 2, 2020. River otters, members of the weasel family, can run on land as well as swim. Range & Habitat: Found throughout most of North America near rivers, creeks, streams, coastal waters, swamps and lakes. North American River Otter. The playful North American river otter is equally at home in the water and on land. The Taiga is an area that is rocky, a bit icy, and has lots of pine trees. Aquatic Adaptations Mammalian predators of the taiga include Canada lynx, Eurasian lynx, stoat, Siberian weasel, least weasel, sable, American marten, North American river otter, European otter, American mink, wolverine, Asian badger, fisher, gray wolf, coyote, red fox, brown bear, American black bear, Asiatic black bear, polar bear (only small areas at the taiga – tundra ecotone) and Siberian tiger. The North American River Otter, or Common Otter, is a water-loving mammal found in wetlands across the continent. North American River Otter Characteristics. Below is an example of otter slides in Minnesota. The river otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur. Lifespan: up to 21 years in captivity, 9 years in the wild. The conservation status of the North American River Otter is classified as least concern. I knew otters were around because they found a small pond at Lo-Lo-Mai Springs Campground near Sedona. The climate is cold, rainy, and snowy. Ricky is Otis’s son and was born in 2014. This South American otter is the world's largest, at some 6 feet long. River Otter. The giant otter or giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is a South American carnivorous mammal. They are playful and agile athletes, sliding down hills of mud or snow to land with a splash in the water. It makes its home in a burrow near the water's edge, and can thrive in river, lake, swamp, or estuary ecosystems. Submitted Photo Holly, a 9-year-old North American river otter at Minot’s Roosevelt Park Zoo, has died. The North American River Otter is very streamlined, having a muscular body with short legs, webbed toes and a long muscular tail. River otters belong to the weasel family. The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) occurs in streams, lakes and reservoirs, wetlands, and marine coasts. The species occurs broadly across much of North America and is considered reasonably secure overall. Diet: Carnivore: fish, amphibians, invertebrates Average wild life span: 7-13 years Body length: 3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 m) Average weight: 15-25 lbs (6.8-11.3 kg) New York State status: Not listed. The otters have an average life span in the wild of about 9-13 years. Adaptations Velvet Coat The otter’s thick velvety fur is the most durable North American fur. The North American River Otter is an animal with a very high metabolism, so it must eat quite often. Their brown waterproof fur helps them retain heat. In the UK IOSF is the only charity solely dedicated to the conservation, protection and care of otters based on years of scientific research in the UK and around the world. • Determine which otter body parts and adaptations … A sad fact is that this beautiful fur has made it a target of hunters for centuries. river otter, NARO, and Nearctic otter. Special Adaptations: River otters have an oily, waterproof coat, threats. They have a short thick undercoat … The International Otter Survival Fund (IOSF) is one of the world's leading otter charities. “During the Great Depression, one otter hide was worth a week’s wages,” said Anderson. Genus: Lutra Species: canadensis. North American river otters have long, streamlined bodies that help them move easily through the water, propelled by their webbed feet. North American river otters have been listed as endangered or threatened in several states but have not been listed for protection under the United States Endangered Species Act. Like other otter species, the North American river otter (Lontracanadensis) has a long, sinuous, streamlined body, highly modified for aquatic life. Threats. Its fur color is usually grey and white or brown and black. I’ll stay at the museum, and you’ll get a photo of me and a certificate as reminders of your generosity. The North American River Otter has a thick beautiful coat of fur that protects it from the cold and that is water-repellent. North American River Otters had always flourished in the United States until the rise in fur trading during the 1700s. It is the longest member of the weasel family, Mustelidae, a globally successful group of predators, reaching up to 1.7 metres (5.6 ft).Atypical of mustelids, the giant otter is a social species, with family groups typically supporting three to eight members. River otters are frequently caught in beaver traps on accident. Categories . It may seem obvious, but if all else fails—the fastest way to tell what type of otter you’re observing is to examine its environment. The North American River Otter is a stocky mammal with a long, fusiform body, short legs, muscular neck no smaller than the head, and a long tail that is thick at the base and tapers to a tip. They are primarily nocturnal, but become more diurnal in winter, meaning they are active during the day and sleep at night. Otters were once widespread among aquatic habitats throughout most of the continent. North American river otters are found throughout the United States and Canada. It lives only in the rivers and creeks of the Amazon, Orinoco, and La Plata river systems. Unregulated trapping, degradation of aquatic habitats, pollution, residential and commercial development, dams, and water management use have all played a role in their decline. Alaska sea otters inhabit the coast of Alaska, including the Aleutian … Check out our adoption section and see all … The limbs are short and powerful, the clawed paws are fully-webbed, and the flattish head terminates in a broad muzzle equipped with numerous sensitive whickers used for detecting prey underwater. North American River Otter –Adopt Me! Water Weapons. Their tails are muscular and comprise up to 40 percent of the otter… North American River Otters (Lontra canadensis) Hello, it’s Team SeaDoc member, Mira, marine scientist, diver, and lover of all things ocean, especially Salish Sea creatures! Your contribution helps provide my food, toys, and medical care. North America. Explore {{searchView.params.phrase}} by color family {{familyColorButtonText(colorFamily.name)}} referred to here as the N.A. The semi-aquatic North American River otter is a proficient swimmer and catcher of fish. It is a carnivore , hunting other animals for its food. — Adopt me! they are eight to 12 months old or until a new litter arrives. Sea otters inhabit coastal areas and islands of the eastern and western North Pacific Ocean. Otters have webbed feed and water-repellent fur for swimming. River Otter Adaptations Concepts Animals have body parts suited for their lifestyle and habitat. They live alone or in family groups consisting of a female and her… Established in 1964, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has evolved to become the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global conservation status of animal, fungi and plant species. Objectives Students will be able to: • List at least 3 otter body parts that make this animal well-adapted to its aquatic habitat. Severe declines in the 1800’s from unregulated fur harvest and habitat destruction extirpated or severely reduced The Internet connection is missing right now, but you're able to browse previously opened pages offline. The river otter food chain includes many types of fish, mollusks, crustaceans, aquatic plants and roots, eggs, and some small mammals and birds. River otters have eluded me until now. north american river otter habitat. The otter population has been reduced by water pollution, uncontrolled trapping, and severe habitat loss. As soon as the first edition of the North American River Otter Husbandry Notebook was completed additional information became available – that is the way projects of this nature all work. North American River Otter : here’s the scoop. This pond had 20 or so wood ducks for many many years. Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Mustelidae. 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