The Guianas are one of the last real strongholds for the species, which also enjoys modest numbers and significant protection in the Peruvian Amazonian basin. Members are our strongest champions of animal conservation and wildlife research. Even fast-swimming fish like trout slow down in extremely cold water, leaving them vulnerable. [36] Each family of otters was shown to have its own unique audio signature. [48][49] They then search for new territory to begin a family of their own. [50] The few occurrences of mammals found in the North American river otter's diet include remains of the muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus); meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus); eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus); and snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus). In 2004, Peru created one of the largest conservation areas in the world, Alto Purs National Park, with an area similar in size to Belgium. Joe Jack caught what could be the state's first legally trapped river otter on Nov. 2. [28] Otters are known to take larger fish on land to eat, whereas smaller fish are consumed in the water. and redhorses (Moxostoma spp. [16] Each otter pup weighs approximately five ounces. Reintroduction projects have been particularly valuable in restoring populations in many areas of the United States. As human activity expands, giant otter home ranges become increasingly isolated. Two river dolphins, the tucuxi and boto, might potentially compete with the giant otter, but different spatial use and dietary preferences suggest minimal overlap. The animal is susceptible to a variety of diseases, including canine parvovirus. [17] The ears are small and rounded. They give birth between August and September, and the young pups emerge for the first time in October and November, which are the months of lowest water when fish concentrations in the dwindling lakes and channels are at their peak. The otter can attack from both above and below, swiveling at the last instant to clamp the prey in its jaws. Subadults leaving in search of new territory find it impossible to set up family groups. Weight: 11 to 30 pounds. Moreover, a western Oregon study revealed fish remains were present in 80% of the 103 digestive tracts examined. To protect fish in these cases, the otters may need to be removed or relocated. ), and other game fish during spawning. [20], The mothers raise their young without aid from adult males. 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. Even when told of the importance of the species to ecosystems and the danger of extinction, interviewees showed little interest in continuing to coexist with the species. In comparison, river otters can be found in fresh, brackish, or salt water, and can travel overland for . [12], Molecular biological techniques have been used to determine when the river otter and the giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) of South America diverged. [30][31] Mammals preyed upon by North American river otters are characteristically small or are a type species found in riparian zones. [52], Studies of giant otters in captivity have given indications about the environment necessary to both maintain a physically and behaviorally healthy population and allow successful cub-rearing. ", "North American River Otter National Wildlife Federation", "Basic Facts About North American River Otters", "Distribution and abundance of river otter in Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota", "Food habits of the river otter in Suisun Marsh, Central California", "Feeding relationships of river otters in northeastern Pennsylvania", Food habits of the North American river otter (, "Social Networks and the Formation and Maintenance of River Otter Groups", "Art Lander's Outdoors: Once endangered river otters now likely to be found in Kentucky for generations", Colorado Otters May No Longer Need Protection, How river otters are making a comeback on P.E.I. It is encouraging to note that with these conservation programs, regulations on trappingand the improvement of water quality, the river otters are finally making a comeback in certain wetland areas. [11], In a new classification, the species is called Lontra canadensis, where the genus Lontra includes all the New World river otters. [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. In 1995, the DNR began a reintroduction program aimed at re-establishing a healthy otter population in several watersheds of northern and southern Indiana. The Maine Fish and Game Commissioner at the time, George J. Stoble, said that the critter, which Bolstridge trapped on the Fish River, was a world's record otter. ), and the maximum movement recorded was 7.3 km (4.5 mi.). North American river otters ( Lontra canadensis) can grow up to four feet from the tip of their nose to the tip of their tail and weigh up to 30 pounds. In Mexico, the North American river otters lived in the Rio Grande and Colorado River Deltas. [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. The initial goals of the study are: When you become a member, you also receive exclusive benefits, like special opportunities to meet animals, discounts at Zoo stores and more. [48] Pups open their eyes in their fourth week, begin walking in their fifth, and are able to swim confidently between 12 and 14 weeks old. All group members may aggressively charge intruders, including boats with humans in them. ). What to Watch for Size: 3-4' long including the tail which is about one third of the total length. The neotropical otter is active during twilight and darkness, reducing the likelihood of conflict with the diurnal giant otter. Hartig said that in 2019, river otters were observed in Lake Erie National Park, having swum across Lake Erie. Before the giant river otter, there was an otter that weighed more than four times the largest living otter species. It was the first time the otters had been seen there in 100 years. ), daces (Rhinichthys spp. It constructs extensive campsites close to feeding areas, clearing large amounts of vegetation. Gymnotids, such as the electric eel, and the large silurid catfish are among aquatic competitors. North American river otters also currently inhabit coastal regions throughout the United States and Canada. Little effort has gone into assessing the threat of disease to wild North American river otter populations, so it is poorly understood and documented. Try Otter Spotters! in hatcheries or other fish culture facilities). Carter and Rosas, however, rejected the subspecific division in 1997, noting the classification had only been validated once, in 1968, and the P. b. paraguensis type specimen was very similar to P. b. [70], The species has also appeared in the folklore of the region. ); Cyprinidae, made up of carp (Cyprinus spp. [68], Adult giant otters living in family groups have no known serious natural predators, however there are some accounts of black caimans in Peru and yacare caimans in the Pantanal preying on giant otters. [66] Giant otters may adopt preferred locations perennially, often on high ground. Their diet is primarily fish and crayfish, but they will also feast on frogs, snakes, birds, and rodents. This means they likely arrived in the Americas at a similar time as humans,[17] meaning humans were an important part of their natural ecosystem from the moment otters arrived. We thought were next, Detroit River is next, he said. A third eyelid, or nictitating membrane, protects the eye and allows the otter to see when swimming underwater. Utreras[65] presumed habitat requirements and availability would differ dramatically in the rainy season: estimating range sizes of 1.98 to as much as 19.55square kilometres (0.76 to 7.55sqmiles) for the groups. In addition to the survey data, DEC collects public sighting data for river otter and other furbearer species. An entrance, which may be under water or above ground, leads to a nest chamber lined with leaves, grass, moss, bark, and hair. When submerged, otters close their nostrils . Otters prefer water bordered by woods and with wetlands, such as marshes, nearby. I realized it was too big to be either of those. [57] Fish remains were of medium-sized species that seem to prefer relatively shallow water, to the advantage of the probably visually oriented giant otter. When females leave, they tend to move much further away (6090km or 3756mi) than males (up to 30km or 19mi), which tend to move shorter distances. This makes it easier for the adults to catch enough fish for the growing young, and for the pups to learn how to catch fish. [28] Unique markings of white or cream fur color the throat and under the chin, allow individuals to be identified from birth. North American river otters, also called Canadian otters, have long, muscular, streamlined bodies with short legs and fully webbed feet bearing non-retractable claws. The European River Otter shares similar sleeping habits, spending most of the day sleeping in undergrowth or the holes which are their dens. There are 13 species of otters around the world, according to the Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Information about river otter breeding and reproductive and social behavior is varied due to the difficulty of studying these animals in the wild. One report suggests maximum areas 28m (92ft) long and 15m (49ft) wide, well-marked by scent glands, urine, and feces to signal territory. Meaning: Lontra is the genus name of American otters, and weiri honors guitarist Bob Weir. [90] The indigenous Kichwa peoples from Amazonian Peru believed in a world of water where Yaku runa reigned as mother of the water and was charged with caring for fish and animals. The river otter is a remarkable animal to watch on the move, either in the water or on the shore. Recently, long-term genetic consequences of reintroduction projects on remnant North American river otter populations has been discussed. North Andover, MA (01845) Today. At this point, they eat solid food but are not completely weaned for another month or two. We look for things like river otters, he said. Otters are most often confused with mink that live on land and muskrats that live in water. [47], Suriname still has significant forest cover and an extensive system of protected areas, much of which protects the giant otter. [13] Both species also show strong pair bonding and paternal engagement in rearing cubs. . It can tolerate a great range of temperature and elevations. Photo by Andrea Westmoreland. [31][33], Mammals are rarely consumed by North American river otters, and are not a major dietary component. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A river otter was spotted in the Detroit River for the first time in a century. River otters are much smaller averaging 10-30 pounds with a cylindrical body and small head. River otters are adapted to a semi-aquatic lifestyle and can typically be seen "playing" in a stream, river, or alongside the banks of a waterway. 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. Online courses. Ensuring that the animals have sufficient privacy from human disturbances (visual and acoustic, from zoo staff or visitors) at parturition and during cub-rearing is also essential, but not sufficient. They spend a significant portion of the day scent marking territory by urinating, defecating, scratching and rubbing their scent glands on rocks and trees. [53], During the winter and spring, when the water levels were higher, North American river otters had a greater tendency to prey upon crayfish (73% of scats had crayfish remains) rather than fish. The giant otter seems to have evolved independently of Lontra in South America, despite the overlap. The species was listed as endangered in 1999 and wild population estimates are typically below 5,000. While river otters tend to live alone or in pairs, they often socialize in groups and are known for their playful behavior. The IUCN lists Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela as current range countries. Hums and coos are more reassuring within the group. [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. River otters keep their young safe by their side and in dens that . [72] Its smaller prey, different denning habits, and different preferred water types also reduce interaction. In the United States, there are sea otters and the North American river otter, or . River otters will eat just about any living creature they can catch. [55], The longest documented giant otter lifespan in the wild is eight years. Observe a sea otter . They also inhabit the forested regions of the Pacific coast in North America. tree-bark mulch and soft pebble-free sand/soil). Aquatic life ties North American river otters almost exclusively to permanent watersheds. At the moment, it's not clear where this . Enhydriodon Omoensis: The Largest Otter Ever The largest . [35] An analysis published in 2014 cataloged 22 distinct types of vocalization in adults and 11 in neonates. North American river otters have a transparent inner eyelid (called a nictitating membrane) to protect their eyes while swimming. Their dense, short under-fur is overlain by darker, coarse guard hairs that help repel water. They noted that the species may be the basal divergence among the otters or fall outside of them altogether, having split even before other mustelids, such as the ermine, polecat, and mink. Published [16] Biologist Nicole Duplaix calls the division of "doubtful value". Defence against intruding animals appears to be cooperative: while adult males typically lead in aggressive encounters, cases of alpha females guarding groups have been reported. [59] If fish are unavailable, it will also take crabs, snakes, and even small caimans and anacondas. Chasing is also a common game. 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