2003). All Canadian provinces except Prince Edward Island and 29 U.S. states have viable populations that sustain annual harvests. The most common fish consumed are perch, suckers, and catfish. Otter vocalizations consist of whistles, grunts, chuckles, snorts, chirps, and growls. The cessation of wide-scale reintroduction activities may suggest that the majority of suitable habitats are currently occupied by established river otter populations. TheNorth Americanriver otter (Lutra canadensis) is a member of the weasel family. The torpedo shaped body the otter has allows it to cut through the water in a smooth and fast manner. A groundbreaking bipartisan bill aims to address the looming wildlife crisis before it's too late, while creating sorely needed jobs. Based on our survey, river otters were harvested in 40 states during 2016. [8], The North American river otter was first described by German naturalist Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber in 1777. They feed on crayfish, crabs, fish, birds, small mammals, and some aquatic plants. The first River Otter that I have seen and I visit the area daily. A number of reintroduction projects have been initiated to help halt the reduction in the overall population. Otter.ai uses AI to write automatic meeting notes with real-time transcription, recorded audio, automated slide capture, and automated meeting summaries. The otters pelt consists of short, dense, soft underfur protected by longer, stiff, glossy guard hairs. Washington, D.C. 750 pp. We found that river otters have expanded their range significantly in the contiguous United States since the last assessment in 1998 (Melquist et al. They have small, round heads with small eyes and ears and prominent whiskers. Mammals of North America. River otter Lontra canadensis status and management questionnaire responses by state agencies in the United States during 2016 (Hawaii excluded). They once lived in streams, rivers, lakes, swamps, and coastal areas throughout Canada and the United States. Its tail is furred but longer and more streamlined than a mink's. The otter's face is roundish, almost dog-like. [48], Historical records indicate North American river otters were once populous throughout most major drainages in the continental United States and Canada prior to European settlement. Historically, the Cahaba was home to 48 different native freshwater mussel . River Otters are good swimmers and divers, able to stay underwater for up to eight minutes. 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). We contacted wildlife management agencies from all states in the contiguous United States during 2016 via email (Figure S1, Supplemental Material), and Alaska via phone, targeting agency personnel that were responsible for river otter management. Where an otter looks seal-like, a mink looks ferret-like, however. [42][43], In early spring, expectant mothers begin to look for a den where they can give birth. The Ontario Trappers Association, 1150 pp. We surveyed state wildlife agency experts to assess the current population and regulatory status of river otters in their jurisdictions. Their thick fur helps to protect their skin from the water and allows them to withstand cold weather. As populations grow and expand, it is reasonable to assume that some jurisdictions may shift monitoring resources toward less secure species. 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. in hatcheries or other fish culture facilities). The dens have entrances underwater so they can be easily accessed from the water. 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. Other restoration efforts were conducted to bolster existing river otter populations and to expand otter distributions and provide connectivity within states that had existing, but not ubiquitous, river otter populations (Table 1). [34][36][55], Records of North American otters preying upon North American beavers (Castor canadensis) vary; it has been reported in the southern boreal forest of Manitoba. 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. [9] Other documented common names are American otter, Canada otter, Canadian otter, fish otter, land otter, nearctic river otter, and Prince of Wales otter. 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. [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. giant river otter. The vulnerability and seasonal availability of prey animals mainly governs its food habits and prey choices. VIDEO. North American river otters have long whiskers, which they use to detect prey in dark or cloudy water, and clawed feet for grasping onto slippery prey. [12], Molecular biological techniques have been used to determine when the river otter and the giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) of South America diverged. Based on maps published by Melquist et al. 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. [56] Trappers in Alberta, Canada commonly assert North American river otters are major predators of North American beavers. Citation: Roberts NM, Lovallo MJ, Crimmins SM. Size Adult river otters weigh 10 to 33 pounds (4.5 to 15 kilograms) and are about 2.5 to 5 feet (76 to 152 centimeters) in length. 2003). [33] Otters have been found to consume invasive Asian carp. North Americanriver otters inhabit freshwater waterways such as rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, and swamps or marshes. Catch-per-unit effort, population models, and presence vs. absence indices, such as bowhunter surveys and track surveys, were used less frequently (Table 1). The otters eyes contain a specialized lens to assist with underwater viewing. 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). 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. Example questionnaire distributed to state wildlife agencies in 2006. Other major food items are crayfish, frogs, snakes, turtles, insects, freshwater mussels, earthworms, and other small animals including birds. North American river otters rely upon play to learn survival skills such as fighting and hunting. About 13 different species exist around the world, but only two types - the River Otters and the Sea Otters live in the USA. ), and other game fish during spawning. Found at DOI: https://doi.org/10.3996/102018-JFWM-093.S2 (38 KB XLSX). editors of this guide it should copy everything, but if you're not, it The River Otter is a river that rises in the Blackdown Hills just inside the county of Somerset, England near Otterford, then flows south through East Devon. The playful North American river otter is well adapted for semi-aquatic living. Lontra canadensis. [47] In Canada, North American river otters occupy all provinces and territories, except until recently Prince Edward Island. [23][16], North American river otters characteristically approach within a few feet of a boat or a person on shore because they're near-sighted, a consequence of vision adapted for underwater sight. We categorized the frequencies of regulatory review within state agencies into the following: never, every 45 y, every 23 y, annually, and immediately as needed. 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. A river otter chews on a chunk of raw fish during feeding time at the Florida Aquarium in Tampa in 2021.. North American river otter inhabitation is affected by type, distribution, and density of aquatic habitats and characteristics of human activities. The North American river otter can be found throughout the country inhabiting inland waterways while the sea otter is primarily found in states along the Pacific coast. When hunting for food in the water, otters can remain submerged for up to eight minutes. Sighting one can be an exciting occasion for boaters, fishermen and other outdoor enthusiasts because of the creature's secretive nature and relative rarity in some waters. Wild Furbearer Management and Conservation in North America. [16], 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. The gestation period is only about two months after this delayand litter size is one to five pups, usually two, between February and April. However, urbanization and pollution instigated reductions in range area. Giant otters live in South America, throughout the Orinoco, Amazon and La Plata River systems (mostly in the northern half of South America). Water quality and development inhibit recovery of populations in some areas. The Lower Alabama River begins at the Claiborne Lock and Dam and runs south 72.5 miles through Monroe, Clarke, and Baldwin counties where it joins the Tombigbee River. However, it is sensitive to pollution, and will disappear from tainted areas. [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. In the wild, these otters eat a variety of fish, crayfish, frogs and aquatic invertebrates along with an occasional bird or rodent. 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. [33] Every study done on the food habits of the North American river otter has identified varying fish species as being the primary component of its diet. Mink are also semiaquatic animals and look the part, just like otters. The continued expansion of river otter populations where they are managed by regulated harvest is likely enhanced by the frequency of these regulatory reviews. 1980. Estimated range of river otters Lontra canadensis in the United States during 2016 compared with 1998 (estimated from Melquist et al. North American river otters also inhabit the forested regions of the Pacific coast in North America. [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. They have long bodies, short limbs, and rich glossy coats. ), chubs (Semotilus spp. Adult body weights vary greatly, but normally range from 11 to 33 pounds. 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. [38][40], When left unchecked, though, otters can be significant predators under certain circumstances (e.g. 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. 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. The impoundments from Aliceville Lake downstream to . You will often see an otter swimming for a distance up a river, popping its head out to look in your direction. We estimated that river otter range in the continental United States expanded by 10.2% during this period (Table 3). Only one state, Utah, had conducted river otter reintroductions since 2010. Females maintain the den and give birth to an average of two to three pups every year. However habitat destruction and water pollution still puts these animals at great risk, especially because they are so specialized. Instead of actually trying to spot an otter, researchers look for what they call latrine sights. Otters will always go back to the same few spots in their home range to defecate; this is what is known as a latrine sights. [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. (1996) and suggest that jurisdictions that allow harvest should collect information on the distribution of harvest, some measure of participation or effort, and, ideally, some estimate of age-structure of the harvest. Author: River otters are omnivorous, eating mostly aquatic organisms, including fish, frogs, crayfish, turtles, insects and some small mammals. Adults generally give birth to between one and three pups, which are blind and helpless when born. The tail makes up approximately 40 percent of the otters total length, which ranges from three to four-and-one-half feet. Probably present statewide in association with rivers, creeks, and lakes, especially open water bordered with wooded habitat. and redhorses (Moxostoma spp. And it is a better swimmer than a mink. Estimated range of river otters Lontra canadensis in the United States during 2016 compared with 1998 (estimated from Melquist et al. Life on Land On. [2], North American river otters, like most predators, prey upon the most readily accessible species. In addition, riverine habitats in interior regions supported smaller, but practical, otter populations. Bobcats, alligators, coyotes, raptors, and other large predators will sometimes prey on North American river otters. They have sharp canine teeth to catch and hold their prey. 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. [1] The North American river otter existed on all parts of the Pacific Coast, including the seashore and inland streams and lakes. 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. [2008], and Roberts [2010]). 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. 2004. 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. 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 . [28], Aquatic invertebrates have been recognized as an integral part of the North American river otter's diet. Their ears are small and almost inconspicuous. To protect fish in these cases, the otters may need to be removed or relocated. Reintroduction projects have been particularly valuable in restoring populations in many areas of the United States. They once lived in streams, rivers, lakes, swamps, and coastal areas throughout Canada and the United States. [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. [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 otter fur ranges from light to dark, rich brown. These hydrodynamic members of the weasel family are voracious predators. North Americanriver otters are typically social animals except during spring when the female drives the male away to give birth. [28] 2003 ). Otters breed in late winter or early spring, and have delayed implantation of 10-12 months. You can copy this taxon into another guide. Females will utilize a den in a mud bank or fallen tree trunk near the water for a nest location. Recently, long-term genetic consequences of reintroduction projects on remnant North American river otter populations has been discussed. Official Web Site of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, 2023 Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, 64 N. Union Street, Suite 468 - Montgomery, Alabama 36130, Physically Disabled Hunting and Fishing Trail, https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=467475161060988&ev=PageView&noscript=1. 271 pp. HABITAT: 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. 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. An adult river otter can weigh between 5.0and14kg (11.0and 31lb). beaver river otter. STATUS: 2008). 2003). They are born blind and remain in the den to nurse for the first month. [21] It differs from the European otter by its longer neck, narrower visage, the smaller space between the ears and its shorter tail. Their gestational period can last anywhere from two months to one year, as otters are capable of delayed implantation. Melquist et al. According to WTMJ-TV, the Milwaukee County Zoo in Milwaukee shared the news . Air trapped within the fur acts as insulation when the otter is submerged. Even fast-swimming fish like trout slow down in extremely cold water, leaving them vulnerable. Otters have five toes and the heel pad tends to be somewhat horseshoe shaped. This kind of pollution could deplete the food supply for the otters. 2003). 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. Reintroduction of river otters may present a problem in that it may contaminate the genetic structure of the native population.[1]. River otter track Scientific Name. Fish are a favorite food, but they also eat amphibians, turtles, and crayfish. River Otters are good swimmers and divers, able to stay underwater for up to eight minutes. Females are approximately one-third smaller than males. In many places, the populations have re-established themselves because of conservation initiatives. 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. Two states (Connecticut and Tennessee) reported that regulations are reviewed every 4 to 5 years. South Carolina and Texas reported that harvest regulations are never reviewed. 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. FEEDING HABITS: A river otter can grow three to four feet (0.9 to 1.2 meters) long including its tail and weigh between 11 and 30 pounds (5 to 14 kilograms). The North American river otter occurs in much of Canada and the United States, except for portions of the Southwest, and in Mexico in the Rio Grande and Colorado River delta areas. [29] For instance, Catostomidae are the primary dietary component of North American river otters in Colorado's Upper Colorado River Basin. [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. [16] Tail lengths range from 30 to 50 centimetres (12 to 20in). Most states used multiple methods to monitor river otter populations including harvest-based surveys, presenceabsence surveys, and empirically derived population model predictions; harvest-based surveys were the most commonly used monitoring approach. As a result, slow-swimming fish are consumed more often than game fishes when both are equally available. . On land a river otter can run at speeds of up to 15 miles (24 kilometers) an hourthey can slide even faster. The smallest otter species is the Asian small-clawed otter, and the largest species, with two tied for first, is the giant otter and the sea otter. The American river otter is a graceful and beautiful addition to many North Carolina rivers. [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. 2015). 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. Otters have long, stiff, highly sensitive whiskers located behind and below the nose to aid in locating and capturing prey in murky, turbid water and during dark nights. However, North American river otters remain rare or absent in the southwestern United States. A member of the weasel family, otters are semiaquatic animals that feed on insects, fish, amphibians, small reptiles, and shellfish. [30][31] Mammals preyed upon by North American river otters are characteristically small or are a type species found in riparian zones. Prior to the arrival of the next litter, the North American river otter yearlings venture out in search of their own home ranges.[44]. Chasing is also a common game. River otter status, management, and distribution in the United States: evidence of large-scale population increase and range expansion. The den typically has many tunnel openings, one of which generally allows the otter to enter and exit the body of water. [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. Photo Credit: U.S. Smithsonian Institution Press. North American river otter A pair at the San Francisco Zooin 2005 Conservation status Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1] CITESAppendix II (CITES)[1] Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Mustelidae Genus: Lontra Species: L. canadensis Binomial name Lontra canadensis (Schreber, 1777) River otter dens are along the water in abandoned burrows or empty hollows. Do not throw any kind of trash, fertilizers, or poisons into any body of water. 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. We're on the ground in seven regions across the country, collaborating with 52 state and territory affiliates to reverse the crisis and ensure wildlife thrive. 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. 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