River Otter

Lutra canadensis

The river otter is a large, weasel-like mammal with dense brown fur and a silvery-gray throat and belly. Adults have:

• Long white whiskers.
• Webbed feet.
• A long tail that is thick at the base and tapers toward the tip.

River otters can grow to about 26 to 30 inches long, not including the tail, which can be 12 to 19 inches long.

Where does the river otter live?

River otters can be found along the borders of lakes, streams and marshes throughout the Bay watershed.

• They den in stream banks, making an underwater entrance to the den.
• While river otters are an aquatic species, they are equally comfortable on land and may travel several miles over land to another stream or lake.

What does the river otter eat?

River otters feed on fish, frogs, crabs, crayfish and small mammals, such as young muskrats and beavers.

When does the river otter breed?

River otters mate in the spring, shortly after the female has given birth to a litter of two to four young.

• The newly fertilized eggs do not begin to develop until the fall.
• During the time between fertilization in the spring and development in the fall, the eggs receive just enough nutrients from the female to stay alive.
• The total gestation period is about eight to nine months.
• Young river otters are born blind and fully furred. They leave the den in less than a year.

Other facts about the river otter:

• River otters are playful, energetic animals. They often create "rolling spots" where they roll and tumble with each other. They will also slide into the water on paths of snow, dirt or ice.
• River otters are remarkable and graceful swimmers. River otters can remain submerged for several minutes, dive to 55 feet and swim up to a quarter of a mile underwater.