We assessed geographic distribution in each state based on a county basis; Alaska does not have county jurisdictions, so we gathered information via a phone interview to assess geographic distribution (Alaska Department of Fish and Game, personal communication). Male North American river otters do not seem to be territorial, and newly dispersing males may join established male groups. (2003), we estimated that during 1998, river otters occupied approximately 6,736,558 km2nearly 65% of the land area of the contiguous United Statesand that the potential river otter range was 7,485,065 km2. [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. Do not throw any kind of trash, fertilizers, or poisons into any body of water. 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. 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. Trapping, loss or degradation of aquatic habitats through filling of wetlands, and development of coal, oil, gas, tanning, timber, and other industries, resulted in local extinctions or population declines in North American river otter populations in many areas. [56] Trappers in Alberta, Canada commonly assert North American river otters are major predators of North American beavers. As populations grow and expand, it is reasonable to assume that some jurisdictions may shift monitoring resources toward less secure species. Take the Clean Earth Challenge and help make the planet a happier, healthier place. [30][31] Mammals preyed upon by North American river otters are characteristically small or are a type species found in riparian zones. We tallied responses to these questions and reported frequency of responses. As populations have expanded, river otter reintroduction efforts have become less frequent; two additional states had conducted reintroductions since 1998 and only one state had conducted a reintroduction since 2010. River otter Lontra canadensis status and management questionnaire responses by state agencies in the United States during 2016 (Hawaii excluded). Otters are known for their playful nature, even as adults. Our survey indicated that <50% of the river otter reintroductions implemented in the United States were in areas where otters had been extirpated. The impoundments from Aliceville Lake downstream to . North American river otters are not scavengers; they avoid consuming carrion (dead animals). [32][34] The most common amphibians recognized were frogs (Rana and Hyla). Crustaceans may even be consumed more than fish. The gestation period is only about two months after this delayand litter size is one to five pups, usually two, between February and April. [34] However, many other studies did not report any findings of North American beaver remains in the scat sampled. Prior to the arrival of the next litter, the North American river otter yearlings venture out in search of their own home ranges.[44]. (c) 2013 California Academy of Sciences, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA). 351 pp. Agency-enforced regulations include restrictions on harvest, harvest season length, harvest methods, and bag limits. 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. In the wild, their lifespan is approximately 8 to 9 years; in captivity it increases to about 15 to 20 years. These analyses suggest they diverged in the Miocene epoch 23.03 to 5.33million years ago (Mya), which is "much earlier" than indicated in the fossil record. River otters in Yellowstone Lake depend on a declining . Note: Above species may only be taken by TRAPPING ONLY. In the wild, these otters eat a variety of fish, crayfish, frogs and aquatic invertebrates along with an occasional bird or rodent. When the mothers have established their domains, they give birth to several kits. 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. 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. Habitat They live in still or slow moving fresh water rivers, lakes and creeks. (c) Smithsonian Institution, some rights reserved (CC BY). Melquist et al. They live in riparian zones, often in the same areas as beavers. The Birmingham Zoo is an independent, not for profit, 501 (c) (3) organization. Estimated range of river otters Lontra canadensis in the United States during 2016 compared with 1998 (estimated from Melquist et al. Scientific studies have shown them to be sensitive to pollution. Current status of populations unknown. We reiterate Chilelli et al. When estimating occupied range area or river otters, we only summed the area of the counties with known presence and excluded those counties that are listed as unknown (Table S1, Supplemental Material). Typically near bodies of water including streams, rivers, lakes and fresh and salt water marshes. 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. They once lived in streams, rivers, lakes, swamps, and coastal areas throughout Canada and the United States. Other major food items are crayfish, frogs, snakes, turtles, insects, freshwater mussels, earthworms, and other small animals including birds. Behind-the-Scenes Encounters & Experiences, Passion into Conservation Action (PiCA) Program, Participation in the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International. We surveyed state wildlife agency experts regarding 1) the legal status of river otters in their state, 2) the statewide river otter population trend, 3) the results of reintroduction efforts (if applicable), 4) the population status of river otters since reintroduction efforts, 5) the method(s) of river otter population monitoring, 6) how frequently adjustments are made to harvest regulations (if applicable), 7) and the geographic distribution of river otters in their state. An adult North American river otter can weigh between 5.0 and 14kg (11.0 and 30.9lb). River otters are rambunctious, aquatic, streamlined mammals that spend much of their time in the water. [34] A 1994 river otter study reported findings of beaver remains in 27 of 1,191 scats analyzed. The dens have entrances underwater so they can be easily accessed from the water. Predators: Include the bobcat, coyote and birds of . (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA). The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis), also known as the northern river otter and river otter, is a semiaquatic mammal that only lives on the North American continent, along its waterways and coasts. The tail makes up approximately 40 percent of the otters total length, which ranges from three to four-and-one-half feet. 2003) indicated that changes in river otter distribution occurred primarily in the contiguous United States and that river otters had expanded their range by approximately 13.7% during an 18-y period (Table 2). To protect fish in these cases, the otters may need to be removed or relocated. Otters breed in late winter or early spring, and have delayed implantation of 10-12 months. River otters are challenging to monitor because of their secretive nature and the fact that they naturally occur at relatively low densities on the landscape. 2003). [33], Although they consume birds, North American river otters do not feed on bird eggs. 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. Sea otters have the amazing capacity of being able to eat up to 25% of their body weight in food . For example, a study conducted in a central California marshland indicated crayfish formed nearly 100% of the river otter's diet at certain times of the year. [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. If you are one of the [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. 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). Fish and Wildlife Service. North American river otters are mainly fish eaters. Otters have five toes and the heel pad tends to be somewhat horseshoe shaped. 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. Only four statesNevada, Rhode Island, Utah, and Wyomingdid not report any monitoring efforts. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Their gestational period can last anywhere from two months to one year, as otters are capable of delayed implantation. River otters are found throughout most of North America from the Rio Grande to Canada and Alaska, except for in arid deserts and the treeless Arctic. [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. [26], Male North American river otters disperse from such family groups more often than females. River otter dens are along the water in abandoned burrows or empty hollows. Only one state, Utah, had conducted river otter reintroductions since 2010. 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. beaver river otter. [26][34][36][50] Otters consume more aquatic insects in the summer as the populations increase and specific life stages heighten their susceptibility. 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. 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). Diet Carnivore, Piscivores Mating Habits MATING BEHAVIOR Polygyny [36] Other prey consumed by North American river otters includes fruits,[37] reptiles, amphibians, birds (most especially moulting ducks which render the birds flightless and thus makes them easier to capture), aquatic insects, small mammals, and mollusks. For instance, an Alberta, Canada study involved the collection and analysis of 1,191 samples of North American river otter scat (feces) collected during each season. DESCRIPTION: (c) Susan Adams, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA). [26][32][33] Game fish, such as trout (Salmonidae) and pike (Esocidae), are not a significant component of their diets. Males are generally larger than females. LIFEHISTORY AND ECOLOGY: Bobcats, alligators, coyotes, raptors, and other large predators will sometimes prey on North American river otters. Diet Even the otters at the zoo have chosen their own latrine sights. River otters line their dens with leaves, moss, and grass. 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