River Otter
River Otter research findings by Jessica.
I chose to study the river otter because they are common at the Little Pend Oreille Wildlife Refuge and I will be doing water quality research so I will have a greater chance of seeing an otter being by the water than some other possible animals.
Common name: River otter
Scientific name: Lantra canadensis
Behavior: The river otter is carnivorous. They eat fish and occasionally small animals. They live around rivers and lakes usually in wooded areas. River otters are very adept swimmers.
On average they swim 7 mph. They can hold their breath underwater for up to two minutes.
Description: Their toes are fully webbed, they have small valvular nostrils which seal upon submergence. All these features allow for them to be able to swim more efficiently. Their fur is dark brown while their belly is paler, the throat is often silver-grey. Their bodies are 90-130 cm long and their tail is 30-50 cm long. Their mass is 5-14 kg. They have a flattened, bulbous nose. Dense whiskers which help them sense the movement of their prey in water.
Lifespan: In the wild river otters can live eight to nine years while in captivity they can live up to 21 years.
Breeding: Males will breed with many different females. Generally they are solitary animals except for when the female has babies or pups. The pups will leave by the time she gives birth again. The mom will usually give birth to two to four pups but litter sizes may range anywhere from one to six. Each pup will weigh about five ounces.
Sightings: On May 7, 2010 I spotted some droppings by the Bear Creek.
This is a general description of the river otter. Observations will be done in the future and updated.
8 responses so far
What a great pose of the Otter. This is a good site. I remember you having a link on here before, what happened to it? Keep up the great work Jessica.
Looking good Jess! You may want to put your info into sub-sections with a title in order to make locating specific info easier though…just an option
Nice pics
very cute pictures, butt how long can they stay under water
this is good. if i were you i would add a range and distribution map. there’s some funny pictures there.
Cool pictures
We never knew that the scientific name for the otter was Lantra canadensis. We were wondering how old the otter babies are when they leave their mother?
Emily and Chloe, thanks for the great question!
The river otter babies will stay with their mother for one year and then go off to find their own property and start their own families.
-Jessica
Hey,
Nice layout. I would just double check the scientific name. There’s a little bit of debate and wiggle room between Lutra canadensis and Lontra canadensis, but I have never seen Lantra canadensis.