As populations grow and expand, it is reasonable to assume that some jurisdictions may shift monitoring resources toward less secure species. It is also possible that we underestimated the geographic extent of the range given that presence is unknown in some counties, particularly in arid regions, and these areas were excluded from our estimate. River Otter Quick Facts. 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. Ten states indicated that they had reintroduced river otters to establish populations that had been extirpated (Table 1). 2008). Their thick fur helps to protect their skin from the water and allows them to withstand cold weather. North American river otters only settle in areas that consist of vegetation, rock piles, and sufficient coverage. Size Adult river otters weigh 10 to 33 pounds (4.5 to 15 kilograms) and are about 2.5 to 5 feet (76 to 152 centimeters) in length. Only three states (Illinois, Kentucky, and North Dakota) did not provide a response to our question about regulation review frequency (Table 1). Historically, the Cahaba was home to 48 different native freshwater mussel . Other species of otters live on every continent except Australia and Antarctica. [33] Crustaceans (crayfish), where regionally available, are the second-most important prey for otters. River otters are omnivorous, eating mostly aquatic organisms, including fish, frogs, crayfish, turtles, insects and some small mammals. The mammals have thick, protective fur to help them keep warm while swimming in cold waters. [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. 271 pp. Life expectancy is less than 10 years in the wild. Periodic assessments of river otter status, population trends, and geographic distribution are needed to detect changes in populations, assess management approaches, and to identify and prioritize conservation efforts. The female otters do not dig their own dens; instead, they rely on other animals, such as beavers, to provide suitable environments to raise their offspring. this appendix subjects river otters to international restrictions and state/province export quotas because of their resemblance to European Otters. VIDEO. [47] In Canada, North American river otters occupy all provinces and territories, except until recently Prince Edward Island. giant river otter. Reintroduction of river otters may present a problem in that it may contaminate the genetic structure of the native population.[1]. North American river otters are very susceptible to the effects of environmental pollution, which is a likely factor in the continued decline of their numbers. To protect fish in these cases, the otters may need to be removed or relocated. 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 live in riparian zones, often in the same areas as beavers. Washington, D.C. 750 pp. [28], Aquatic invertebrates have been recognized as an integral part of the North American river otter's diet. They have small heads that widen through the neck into a long, thickset but streamlined body. Physical Description They have very streamlined bodies, with a well-muscled tail; both aid in swimming. The American river otter is a graceful and beautiful addition to many North Carolina rivers. River otters historically inhabited every major watershed in the contiguous United States and were extirpated from much of their historical range as a result of multiple factors including habitat degradation and destruction as well as unregulated harvest (Anderson 1977). Within states that harvested otters, regulations concerning river otter harvest seasons were reviewed and adjusted regularly. LIFE HISTORY AND ECOLOGY: [2008], and Roberts [2010]). [50] Fish species frequently found in the diets of the North American river otters include: Catostomidae, which consists of suckers (Catostomus spp.) [26][32][33] Game fish, such as trout (Salmonidae) and pike (Esocidae), are not a significant component of their diets. Found at DOI: https://doi.org/10.3996/102018-JFWM-093.S2 (38 KB XLSX). [13] Fossils of a giant river otter dating back 3.5 Mya (during the Pliocene)[14] have been found in the US Midwest; however, fossils of the modern river otter did not appear in North America until about 1.9Mya. It enters the English Channel at the western end of Lyme Bay, part of the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.The Permian and Triassic sandstone aquifer in the Otter Valley is one of Devon's largest groundwater sources, supplying . However, it typically occurs in winter or spring. Young otter pups attain sexual maturity at two years of age and at that time are driven away to establish their own territory. In the wild, their lifespan is approximately 8 to 9 years; in captivity it increases to about 15 to 20 years. Of the 40 states that incorporate harvest management programs, the majority used data from regulated harvest seasons (e.g., surveys of trappers, estimates of trapper effort, or collection of biological samples to estimate demographic and health parameters) to monitor river otter populations and to ensure that harvest levels were sustainable. Figure S1. Consequently, many wildlife management agencies developed strategies to restore or enhance otter populations, including the use of reintroduction projects. 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). However, urbanization and pollution instigated reductions in range area. They once lived in streams, rivers, lakes, swamps, and coastal areas throughout Canada and the United States. As of 2016, 23 states had conducted river otter reintroductions. 1980. [45] In 2010, the Colorado Department of Wildlife reported the species, reintroduced in the 1980s, was "thriving" and recommended its protection status be reconsidered. Birmingham, AL 35223. 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. and redhorses (Moxostoma spp. Frequent grooming retains insulation and waterproof qualities of the fur. Our area estimates of river otter distribution in the contiguous United States during 2016 (e.g., 5,686,140 km2) were strikingly similar (i.e., only 2.3% greater) to what Melquist et al. [26] Additional premolars may be present. Otters are known for their playful nature, even as adults. This article will refer to the twelve species of river otter, information about sea otters can be viewed here. Author: 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. We reiterate Chilelli et al. River otters are also valued as a game species and furbearer (Melquist et al. [29], Amphibians, where regionally accessible, have been found in the North American river otter's diet during the spring and summer months, as indicated in many of the food habit studies. This expansion was facilitated by restoration programs as well as natural dispersal and expansion of established populations. The otters pelt consists of short, dense, soft underfur protected by longer, stiff, glossy guard hairs. ), and other game fish during spawning. In some regions, though, their population is controlled to allow the trapping and harvesting of otters for their fur. The North American River Otter has a long, sleek body with a long, tapered tail covered in short, dense dark brown fur. 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. 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. [1] The North American river otter existed on all parts of the Pacific Coast, including the seashore and inland streams and lakes. The cessation of wide-scale reintroduction activities may suggest that the majority of suitable habitats are currently occupied by established river otter populations. . As such, careful consideration of any threatened, endangered, or fish species of special interest is warranted prior to reintroduction of otters to a watershed. Bobcats, alligators, coyotes, raptors, and other large predators will sometimes prey on North American river otters. National Audubon Society. Daniel Toole, Wildlife Biologist, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. Young are able to fully care for themselves at about six months of age but they do not usually leave their mother until about one year. [23][16], North American river otters characteristically approach within a few feet of a boat or a person on shore because they're near-sighted, a consequence of vision adapted for underwater sight. River otters line their dens with leaves, moss, and grass. [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. However, it is sensitive to pollution, and will disappear from tainted areas. 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. We estimated that river otter range in the continental United States expanded by 10.2% during this period (Table 3). [5][6][7], The range of the North American river otter has been significantly reduced by habitat loss, beginning with the European colonization of the Americas. Scientific name: Lutra canadensis. Junior League of Birmingham Hugh Kaul Childrens Zoo Alabama Wilds Trail. Females are roughly one-third the size of males. Houghton Mifflin Co., New York, NY. They prey most often on slower fish, such as catfish, carp and sculpins. 2006. Of the remaining 37 states; 24 states reviewed regulations promptly or annually and 10 states reviewed harvest regulations in cycles of 23 y; Michigan reported that regulations are reviewed every 2 to 3 years and promptly as needed (Table 1). The Birmingham Zoo is an independent, not for profit, 501 (c) (3) organization. North American river otter populations span the North American continent from east to west, extending across 45 states from southern Florida to northern Alaska and all Canadian provinces except Prince Edward Island. An adult river otter can weigh between 5.0and14kg (11.0and 31lb). Example questionnaire distributed to state wildlife agencies in 2006. [20] About one-third of the animal's total length consists of a long, tapered tail. Since 1976, over 4,000 otters have been reintroduced in 21 U.S. states. Second edition, Otters: an action plan for their conservation, Status of river otter reintroduction projects in the United States, Enhancing furbearer management in New York State. 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. Melquist et al. If there is no evidence of otters in a body of water it could mean that the body of water has been polluted or is unhealthy. Twentyseven states, including Alabama, have trapping seasons, and four states and two provinces Weight: 11-30 lbs. Identification. River otters can be found swimming all over in the state's creeks, lakes and ponds. LIFEHISTORY AND ECOLOGY: 2010). The dens have entrances underwater so they can be easily accessed from the water. Do not throw any kind of trash, fertilizers, or poisons into any body of water. 2003). Estimated range of river otters Lontra canadensis in the United States during 2016 compared with 1998 (estimated from Melquist et al. In the past, their soft and attractive fur could be sold for a decent amount of money. Habitat They live in still or slow moving fresh water rivers, lakes and creeks. The first River Otter that I have seen and I visit the area daily. (2003) suggested as potential' range in their 1998 assessment of 5,556,200 km2. More than one-third of U.S. fish and wildlife species are at risk of extinction in the coming decades. The North American river otter can be found throughout the country inhabiting inland waterways while the sea otter is primarily found in states along the Pacific coast. north american river otter. They were extirpated from portions of their range, but conservation and reintroduction efforts are helping populations to recover. They have been virtually eliminated through many parts of their range, especially around heavily populated areas in the midwestern and eastern United States. Photo Credit: U.S. 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. ), chubs (Semotilus spp. An otters home range may be as small as five miles to as large as 40 miles. To compare estimates of occupied area in 1998 with our survey results, we digitized published maps depicting river otter distribution during 1998 (Melquist et al. [32][36] Slow-moving species include suckers (Catostomidae), catfish, sunfish and bass (Centrarchidae), daces, carp, and shiners (Cyprinidae). A group of otters is called a romp of otters. Twenty-one of the 23 states (91.3%) that implemented reintroductions reported that populations were increasing or had reached population goals, and 2 states (Minnesota and North Dakota) indicated that populations were stagnant or geographically restrained (Table 1). North American river otters are mainly fish eaters. (c) Susan Adams, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA). North American river otter inhabitation is affected by type, distribution, and density of aquatic habitats and characteristics of human activities. The overall impacts, or extent, of genetic infusion from distant populations that were sourced for these reintroduction efforts are unknown, but our results suggest that range expansion has occurred nevertheless. [41], Delayed implantation distinguishes the species from the European otter, which does not do this. Although methodologies and sampling scales differed from the approach used in our assessment, comparisons of land areas occupied during each period provided a coarse-scale basis for estimates of population expansion or retraction during an 18-y period. The ears appear large on its small flattened head. We surveyed state wildlife agency experts to assess the current population and regulatory status of river otters in their jurisdictions. Predators: Include the bobcat, coyote and birds of . The river otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur. On land a river otter can run at speeds of up to 15 miles (24 kilometers) an hourthey can slide even faster. 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. [53] A study conducted on North American river otters in a southwestern Arkansas swamp identified a correlation between crayfish consumption, fish consumption, and water levels. Similarly, it is possible that false-negatives occurred, particularly at lower population densities. An adult North American river otter can weigh between 5.0 and 14kg (11.0 and 30.9lb). They can drink while under water due to a special valve in their nose. 1996. Even in larger bodies of water, river otters may take disproportional advantage of any seasonal concentrations of fish when and where only very limited areas of suitable spawning, low-flow, or over-wintering habitat may exist. Agency-enforced regulations include restrictions on harvest, harvest season length, harvest methods, and bag limits. Most researchers specifically focusing on otters rarely actually see any wild otters. By the early 1900s, North American river otter populations had declined throughout large portions of their historic range in North America. Typically near bodies of water including streams, rivers, lakes and fresh and salt water marshes. (1996) encouraged jurisdictions to standardize monitoring methodology. Although is unlikely that river otters inhabit the entire county, we believe this to be a sufficient and consistent with other species assessments. A North American river otter's main requirements are a steady food supply and easy access to a body of water. River otters communicate with whistles, yelps, growls, and screams, as well as touch and body posture. The Birmingham Zoo North American river otters are Slim, a male weighing in at 8.0kg (17.5 lbs), andLenora, afemale weighing in at 7.3kg (16 lbs.). Deems and Pursley (1978), estimated that river otters occupied 71% of their historical range during 1977; by 1998, river otter populations had expanded and were thought to occupy 90% of their prior range (Melquist et al. [38][40], When left unchecked, though, otters can be significant predators under certain circumstances (e.g. Catch-per-unit effort, population models, and presence vs. absence indices, such as bowhunter surveys and track surveys, were used less frequently (Table 1). The vulnerability and seasonal availability of prey animals mainly governs its food habits and prey choices. 2006. Diet: Primarily consumes fish, mollusks and other invertebrates. doi: https://doi.org/10.3996/102018-JFWM-093. [26], Male North American river otters disperse from such family groups more often than females. River otter Lontra canadensis populations in the United States have expanded during the past 50 y as a result of improvements in habitat quality and effective management programs implemented by state and federal agencies and native tribes. Fish is a favored food among the otters, but they also consume various amphibians (such as salamanders and frogs[3]), freshwater clams, mussels, snails, small turtles and crayfish. Reproduction: Once yearly with an average litter of 2-3 and up to 6. Even fast-swimming fish like trout slow down in extremely cold water, leaving them vulnerable. 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. Males are generally larger than females. 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. [26][34][36][50] Otters consume more aquatic insects in the summer as the populations increase and specific life stages heighten their susceptibility. We contacted wildlife management agencies from all states in the contiguous United States during 2016 via email (Figure S1, Supplemental Material), and Alaska via phone, targeting agency personnel that were responsible for river otter management. Given the large extent of the species' range, we were limited to county-level inference. They are very flexible and can make sharp, sudden turns that help them catch fish. They feed on crayfish, crabs, fish, birds, small mammals, and some aquatic plants. T. Peltier, N. Forman, and W. Dodge also assisted with several aspects of this effort.We would also like to thank the Associate Editor and anonymous reviewers for constructive and value suggestions and comments that improved the quality of this manuscript. The remaining states indicated that they reintroduced river otters to expand populations in their state beyond their current range, including three states that indicated that reintroductions were also used to reestablish extirpated populations and seven states that used reintroductions to bolster populations where they already existed (Table 1). (c) Biodiversity Heritage Library, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA). [9] The mammal was identified as a species of otter and has a variety of common names, including North American river otter, northern river otter, common otter and, simply, river otter. Two decades later, there is still considerable variation in monitoring methods and effort across jurisdictions. River otter dens are along the water in abandoned burrows or empty hollows. This kind of pollution could deplete the food supply for the otters. [16], Males and female river otters show different non-sexual physical characteristics,[23] with males typically being larger. River otter reintroductions were widespread during the late 20th century (Raesly 2001). In the absence of harvest-dependent data, presenceabsence data (such as track surveys), can indicate population distribution and trajectories (Roberts et al. River otters in Yellowstone Lake depend on a declining . The river otter Lontra canadensis is an elusive species that can serve an important role in aquatic ecosystems as a top predator of fish and crayfish. 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. And it is a better swimmer than a mink. Nathan M. Roberts, Matthew J. Lovallo, Shawn M. Crimmins; River Otter Status, Management, and Distribution in the United States: Evidence of Large-Scale Population Increase and Range Expansion. October 29 - February 28. [21] It differs from the European otter by its longer neck, narrower visage, the smaller space between the ears and its shorter tail. Based on this 2016 survey, 22 states reported increasing populations, 25 states reported stable populations, and 2 states (Arizona and Washington) reported an uncertain population trend (Table 1). 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). https://doi.org/10.3996/102018-JFWM-093. You will often see an otter swimming for a distance up a river, popping its head out to look in your direction. Their aquatic habitats can be both marine and fresh water: streams, rivers, lakes, ponds and marshes. Are otters endangered in Alabama?

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