North American River Otter | National Wildlife Federation

• Contact Us
• Blog

Donate

• One-Time Gift
• Give Monthly
• Corporate Giving
• Renew
• In Memory / Honor of
• Matching Gifts
• More Ways to Give

• Our Work
  • Climate
  • Conservation Policy
  • Environmental Justice
  • Habitats
  • Indigenous Partnerships
  • Our Lands
  • People
  • Waters
  • Wildlife Conservation
• Get Involved
  • Donate
  • Subscribe
  • Certify a Garden
  • More Ways to Give
  • Action Fund
• About Us
  • Mission & Strategic Plan
  • History & Heritage
  • Equity & Justice
  • Regional Centers & Affiliates
  • Executive Leadership
  • Partners & Supporters
  • Financials
  • Careers
• Kids & Family
  • Connecting Kids and Nature
  • Ranger Rick Kids
  • Ranger Rick Store
  • About Ranger Rick
• Educational Resources
  • Wildlife Guide
  • Educator Tools
  • Education Programs
  • Reports
• Magazines
  • National Wildlife®
  • Ranger Rick®
  • Ranger Rick Jr.™
  • Ranger Rick Cub™
  • Ranger Rick Zoobooks®
  • Ranger Rick Dinosaurs™
  • Content Licensing
• Latest News
  • Press Releases
  • Blog
  • Media Resources
• Contact Us
• Blog

North American River Otter

1. Home
2. Educational Resources
3. Wildlife Guide
4. Mammals
5. North American River Otter

ADOPT AN ANIMAL

North American River Otter

Lontra canadensis

Status: Not Listed

Classification: Mammal

Description

The playful North American river otter is well adapted for semi-aquatic living. The mammals have thick, protective fur to help them keep warm while swimming in cold waters. They have short legs, webbed feet for faster swimming, and a long, narrow body and flattened head for streamlined movement in the water. A long, strong tail helps propels the otter through the water. They can stay underwater for as many as eight minutes. 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. They are very flexible and can make sharp, sudden turns that help them catch fish. Their fur is dark brown over much of the body, and lighter brown on the belly and face. On land a river otter can run at speeds of up to 15 miles (24 kilometers) an hour—they can slide even faster. Their playful snow and mud sliding, tail chasing, water play, and snow burrowing activities also serve other purposes—they help strengthen social bonds and let young otters practice hunting techniques.

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). Males are generally larger than females. The tail makes up about a third of their total length.

Range

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. They can thrive in any water habitat, such as ponds, marshes, lakes, rivers, and estuaries—in cold, warm, or even high-elevation areas—as long as the habitat provides adequate food. River otter dens are along the water in abandoned burrows or empty hollows. The dens have entrances underwater so they can be easily accessed from the water. Bobcats, alligators, coyotes, raptors, and other large predators will sometimes prey on North American river otters.

Diet

River otters eat a variety of aquatic wildlife, such as fish, crayfish, crabs, frogs, birds’ eggs, birds and reptiles such as turtles. They have also been known to eat aquatic plants and to prey on other small mammals, such as muskrats or rabbits. They have a very high metabolism, so they need to eat frequently.

Behavior

River otters communicate with whistles, yelps, growls, and screams, as well as touch and body posture. They also scent mark using scent glands near the base of their tails that produce a strong, musky odor.

Life History

River otters breed in late winter or early spring. Adults generally give birth to between one and three pups, which are blind and helpless when born. They first learn to swim after about two months. River otters generally live alone or in small social groups. They can live eight to nine years in the wild but have lived up to 21 years in captivity.

Conservation

North American river otters were hunted and trapped extensively for their fur in the 19th and 20th centuries, and are still hunted in some places. They were extirpated from portions of their range, but conservation and reintroduction efforts are helping populations to recover. However habitat destruction and water pollution still puts these animals at great risk, especially because they are so specialized.

Fun Fact

North American river otters can close their nostrils to keep water out during long dives.

Get Involved

Donate Today

Sign a Petition

Donate Monthly

Sign Up for Updates

What's Trending

UNNATURAL DISASTERS

A new storymap connects the dots between extreme weather and climate change and illustrates the harm these disasters inflict on communities and wildlife.

Learn More

Come Clean for Earth

Take the Clean Earth Challenge and help make the planet a happier, healthier place.

Learn More

Native Plant Finder

Get a list of highly impactful plants that are native to your area based on your zip code!

Check It Out

Where We Work

More than one-third of U.S. fish and wildlife species are at risk of extinction in the coming decades. 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.

Learn More ABOUT US CONTACT US MAGAZINES BLOG ACTION FUND CAREERS

PO Box 1583, Merrifield, VA 22116-1583

800.822.9919

Join Ranger Rick

Inspire a lifelong connection with wildlife and wild places through our children's publications, products, and activities

Learn More

Follow Us

National Wildlife Federation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization

×

You are now leaving nwf.org

In 4 seconds, you'll be redirected to NWF Action Fund, a separate and distinct 501(c)(4) nonprofit affiliated with NWF.