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. ), shiners (Notropis and Richardsonius spp. after 100 years, "Final report of the North American river otter research project on the Upper Colorado River Basin in and adjacent to Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado", "Asian Carp in the Diet of River Otters in Illinois", "Lontra canadensis (northern river otter)", COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Grizzly Bear, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=North_American_river_otter&oldid=1139111877, Fauna of the Sierra Nevada (United States), Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 13 February 2023, at 12:17. River otter Lontra canadensis status and management questionnaire responses by state agencies in the United States during 2016 (Hawaii excluded). They have small, round heads with small eyes and ears and prominent whiskers. North American river otters are natural swimmers and, with parental supervision, they acquire the skills necessary to swim. [62], The North American river otter is considered a species of least concern according to the IUCN Red List, as it is not currently declining at a rate sufficient for a threat category. ); Cyprinidae, made up of carp (Cyprinus spp. Do not throw any kind of trash, fertilizers, or poisons into any body of water. [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 was included as an Appendix II species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora in 1977 as a result of concern that endangered otter species, such as Pteronura brasiliensis, could be misidentified as river otter because of a similar superficial appearance, which could lead to unintentional trade of endangered species; however, it is important to note that the river otter itself has never been considered a globally threatened or endangered species (Greenwalt 1977). [34] However, many other studies did not report any findings of North American beaver remains in the scat sampled. They can stay underwater for as many as eight minutes. We estimated the county-level geographic distribution occupied by river otters in the continental United States during 2016 to be approximately 7,422,120 km275% of the total land area and 94% of the available total water area. In 4 seconds, you will be redirected to nwfactionfund.org, the site of the National Wildlife Action Fund, a 501(c)(4) organization. [1], During the 1970s, improvements in natural resource management techniques emerged, along with increased concerns about North American river otter population declines in North America. ); and perches (Perca spp.). Found at DOI: https://doi.org/10.3996/102018-JFWM-093.S2 (38 KB XLSX). Methods of population monitoring included bridge surveys (presence vs. absence track surveys conducted at bridge crossings), harvest surveys, bowhunter surveys, camera surveys, winter track surveys, population models from harvest data, harvest effort, and agency field questionnaires (for detailed descriptions of these methods, we direct readers to Chilelli et al. [56] Trappers in Alberta, Canada commonly assert North American river otters are major predators of North American beavers. A North American river otter's main requirements are a steady food supply and easy access to a body of water. The dens have entrances underwater so they can be easily accessed from the water. The dens have entrances underwater so they can be easily accessed from the water. and redhorses (Moxostoma spp. 2006. Males are generally larger than females. ); and Ictaluridae, which consists of bullheads and catfish (Ictalurus spp.). 1987. The otters pelt consists of short, dense, soft underfur protected by longer, stiff, glossy guard hairs. Harvest regulations are reviewed frequently by most states that allow harvest (Table 1). [20] Litter size can reach five, but usually ranges from one to three. LIFE HISTORY AND ECOLOGY: When the pups are about two months old and their coats grow in, their mother introduces them to the water. An adult river otter can weigh between 5.0and14kg (11.0and 31lb). [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. A river otter chews on a chunk of raw fish during feeding time at the Florida Aquarium in Tampa in 2021.. [54][57], Cases where otters have been ambushed and consumed by grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) and polar bears (Ursus maritimus) have also been reportedly witnessed near the Arctic region. An otters home range may be as small as five miles to as large as 40 miles. Jurisdictions that have harvest are afforded more monitoring opportunities through harvest-dependent data sources, such as catch-per-unit effort, distribution of harvests, and sex and age-structure of harvests. Furthermore, because river otters serve as a biomonitor for banned organochlorine pesticides in Illinois, a tool such as SVR used to inform researchers about optimal months for scat collection may facilitate the use of scat for chemical analysis and potential identification of individual otters via genetic profiles from scats (Carpenter et al . A member of the weasel family, otters are semiaquatic animals that feed on insects, fish, amphibians, small reptiles, and shellfish. The tail makes up approximately 40 percent of the otters total length, which ranges from three to four-and-one-half feet. [1] Otters have recently re-established themselves on Prince Edward Island. Otters are very secretive and shy and would rather run away than attack. They first learn to swim after about two months. The ears appear large on its small flattened head. Females maintain the den and give birth to an average of two to three pups every year. Otters also help fisherman by eating the less desirable species of fish that compete with the more desirable and profitable fish. The Smithsonian Book of North American Mammals. 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. However, improvements in water quality (through enactment of clean water regulations) and furbearer management techniques have permitted river otters to regain portions of their range in many areas. They have a very high metabolism, so they need to eat frequently. In the winter, crayfish made up one-third of the North American river otter's diet. Read on to learn about the otter. 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. By the early 1900s river otters had been completely extirpated from 11 states and had experienced severe population declines in 9 other states (Deems and Pursley 1978). However, it is sensitive to pollution, and will disappear from tainted areas. Crait, J.R. et al. Other species of otters live on every continent except Australia and Antarctica. You will often see an otter swimming for a distance up a river, popping its head out to look in your direction. [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. Since their reintroduction to Kentucky in the early 90s, they have recovered to the point that a trapping season was started in 2006, and the species is now found in all major waterways. You can copy this taxon into another guide. As populations grow and expand, it is reasonable to assume that some jurisdictions may shift monitoring resources toward less secure species. They use their sensitive whiskers which help them locate prey and catch their prey with their mouth, using their paws to hold on to the prey if needed. [23], Like other otters, the North American river otter lives in a holt, or den, constructed in the burrows of other animals, or in natural hollows, such as under a log or in river banks. And it is a better swimmer than a mink. We found that river otters have expanded their range significantly in the contiguous United States since the last assessment in 1998 (Melquist et al. As of 2016, 23 states had conducted river otter reintroductions. Assessments of river otter populations within the contiguous United States have occurred periodically since their inclusion in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (e.g., Polechla 1990, Raesly 2001, Melquist et al. North American river otters are mainly fish eaters. 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. Promoting more-inclusive outdoor experiences for all. [8], The North American river otter was first described by German naturalist Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber in 1777. We also thank the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies for logistical assistance. These hydrodynamic members of the weasel family are voracious predators. Found throughout the United States and Canada. [20], The mothers raise their young without aid from adult males. The North American River Otter weighs on average 10 to 30 pounds and measures approximately two to four feet long from head to tail. Females are approximately one-third smaller than males. Otters have five toes and the heel pad tends to be somewhat horseshoe shaped. [51], Adult North American river otters are capable of consuming 1 to 1.5 kilograms (2.2 to 3.3lb) of fish per day. doi: https://doi.org/10.3996/102018-JFWM-093. They feed on crayfish, crabs, fish, birds, small mammals, and some aquatic plants. Note: Above species may only be taken by TRAPPING ONLY. [50] Likewise, the common carp (Cyprinus carpio) is a preferred fish species for the North American river otter in other regions of Colorado. [23], Aquatic life ties North American river otters almost exclusively to permanent watersheds. They are fast, agile swimmers and able to out-maneuver their prey. 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. [50] Fish species frequently found in the diets of the North American river otters include: Catostomidae, which consists of suckers (Catostomus spp.) [34] A 1994 river otter study reported findings of beaver remains in 27 of 1,191 scats analyzed. In the wild, their lifespan is approximately 8 to 9 years; in captivity it increases to about 15 to 20 years. Otter pelts range from a rich dark brown (almost black) to a pale chestnut on the back and sides and light brown mixed with varying amounts of gray on the belly. Females allow the male to return after approximately 10 to12 weeks to assist with rearing and teaching the pups essential survival skills. We surveyed state wildlife agency experts to assess the current population and regulatory status of river otters in their jurisdictions. 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). The North American River Otter has a long, sleek body with a long, tapered tail covered in short, dense dark brown fur. Still these animals are commercially harvested: 20,000 - 30,000 are taken annually for their lustrous fur.Links:Mammal Species of the WorldClick here for The American Society of Mammalogists species account, (c) Discover Life and original sources, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC-SA). Otter.ai uses AI to write automatic meeting notes with real-time transcription, recorded audio, automated slide capture, and automated meeting summaries. 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. Based on our survey, river otters were harvested in 40 states during 2016. Take the Clean Earth Challenge and help make the planet a happier, healthier place. Description of metadata is included. Length: 35-50 inches. River otters generally live alone or in small social groups. Crait, J.R. and M. Ben-David. The Cahaba River is one of the most biodiverse waterways on Earth. According to WTMJ-TV, the Milwaukee County Zoo in Milwaukee shared the news . Any use of trade, product, website, or firm names in this publication is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. The otters migrated to North America and southwards again across the Panamanian Land Bridge, which formed 3Mya. Female North American river otters give birth in these burrows, producing litters of one to six young. The North American river otter is found throughout North America, inhabiting inland waterways and coastal areas in Canada, the Pacific Northwest, the Atlantic states, and the Gulf of Mexico. River otters are omnivorous, eating mostly aquatic organisms, including fish, frogs, crayfish, turtles, insects and some small mammals. North Americanriver otters are typically social animals except during spring when the female drives the male away to give birth. STATUS: this appendix subjects river otters to international restrictions and state/province export quotas because of their resemblance to European Otters. [61] Appendix II lists species that are not necessarily threatened with extinction currently, but may become so unless trade is closely controlled. [54] However, when water levels are lower, crayfish will seek out shelter while fish become more highly concentrated and susceptible to predation. 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. Potential responses concerning legal status included regulated harvest, no harvest, state threatened, or state endangered. north american river otter. Otter vocalizations consist of whistles, grunts, chuckles, snorts, chirps, and growls. Otters have sharp claws and webbing between toes on all four feet. The river otter is considerably larger, reaching several feet in length. River otters in Yellowstone Lake depend on a declining . A river otter's expected lifespan is up to 12 years.. 1999. Wild Furbearer Management and Conservation in North America. As such, careful consideration of any threatened, endangered, or fish species of special interest is warranted prior to reintroduction of otters to a watershed. They live in riparian zones, often in the same areas as beavers. [46] In late 2012, a river otter nicknamed Sutro Sam took up residence around the former site of the Sutro Baths in San Francisco, the first river otter sighting in that city in more than half a century. Most researchers specifically focusing on otters rarely actually see any wild otters. As of 2016, only two additional states had conducted reintroductions (New Mexico and North Dakota) since Raesly's (2001) previous assessment and Utah was the only state that had reintroduced river otters since 2010. [32][36] Slow-moving species include suckers (Catostomidae), catfish, sunfish and bass (Centrarchidae), daces, carp, and shiners (Cyprinidae). 2004. Specific threats include predation, pollution, and cars. 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