); darters (Etheostoma spp. 2003), excluding Alaska. River otters are totally protected in 17 states. Mammals of North America. We estimated that river otter distribution increased by 10.2% in the continental United States and by 13.7% in the contiguous United States during an 18-y period. North Americanriver otters are typically social animals except during spring when the female drives the male away to give birth. According to WTMJ-TV, the Milwaukee County Zoo in Milwaukee shared the news . The gestation period is only about two months after this delayand litter size is one to five pups, usually two, between February and April. Behind-the-Scenes Encounters & Experiences, Passion into Conservation Action (PiCA) Program, Participation in the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International. The most common fish consumed are perch, suckers, and catfish. 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. (c) Smithsonian Institution, some rights reserved (CC BY). Only three states (Illinois, Kentucky, and North Dakota) did not provide a response to our question about regulation review frequency (Table 1). [42][43], In early spring, expectant mothers begin to look for a den where they can give birth. River otters eat a variety of aquatic wildlife, such as fish, crayfish, crabs, frogs, birds eggs, birds and reptiles such as turtles. [10], The North American river otter has long whiskers that are used to detect prey in dark waters. [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. 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 . The smallest otter species is the Asian small-clawed otter, and the largest species, with two tied for first, is the giant otter and the sea otter. 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. They were extirpated from portions of their range, but conservation and reintroduction efforts are helping populations to recover. Probably present statewide in association with rivers, creeks, and lakes, especially open water bordered with wooded habitat. 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). Description of metadata is included. North American river otters only settle in areas that consist of vegetation, rock piles, and sufficient coverage. Similarly, many perceived threats to North American river otters, such as pollution and habitat alterations, have not been rigorously evaluated. Young pups are born helpless, and remain in the . However, it is sensitive to pollution, and will disappear from tainted areas. (2003) suggested as potential' range in their 1998 assessment of 5,556,200 km2. Mink, Muskrat, Otter, and Striped Skunk. [30] However, river otters will prey on trout, pike, walleye (Sander vitreus vitreus), salmon (Oncorhynchus spp. [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. 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. 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. To protect fish in these cases, the otters may need to be removed or relocated. Females are approximately one-third smaller than males. 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.). You can copy this taxon into another guide. Similarly, it is possible that false-negatives occurred, particularly at lower population densities. Otters are very secretive and shy and would rather run away than attack. Ten states indicated that they had reintroduced river otters to establish populations that had been extirpated (Table 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. River otters were legally harvested in 40 states, while closed harvest seasons existed in 9 states; Arizona, California, Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming (Table 1). The North American River Otter weighs on average 10 to 30 pounds and measures approximately two to four feet long from head to tail. [21] It differs from the European otter by its longer neck, narrower visage, the smaller space between the ears and its shorter tail. They can live eight to nine years in the wild but have lived up to 21 years in captivity. The species is also present throughout Alaska, including the Aleutian Islands, and the north slope of the Brooks Range. As populations grow and expand, it is reasonable to assume that some jurisdictions may shift monitoring resources toward less secure species. 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. giant river otter. A number of reintroduction projects have been initiated to help halt the reduction in the overall population. Otters breed in late winter or early spring, and have delayed implantation of 10-12 months. [49] However, large populations never occurred in areas of Southern California such as the chaparral and oak woodlands and Mojave Desert seasonal waterway regions, or in the xeric shrubland regions in New Mexico, Texas, Nevada, and Colorado. The species is widely distributed throughout its range. 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. River Otter Quick Facts. [1] They are now absent or rare in Arizona, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, and West Virginia. CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (, different non-sexual physical characteristics, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T12302A164577078.en, "Expert says otter attacks are rare after St. Pete dog killed", "Dog attacked by otters in Lakewood, homeowners say", "7 Surprising Facts About the Giant River Otter", "Multigene phylogeny of the Mustelidae: Resolving relationships, tempo and biogeographic history of a mammalian adaptive radiation", 10.1644/1545-1410(2002)712<0001:LM>2.0.CO;2, "Parasites as probes for prehistoric human migrations? Reintroduction projects have been particularly valuable in restoring populations in many areas of the United States. [33], Although they consume birds, North American river otters do not feed on bird eggs. 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. [20] Large male North American river otters can exceed a weight of 15 kilograms (33lb). Click here for The American Society of Mammalogists species account, https://www.flickr.com/photos/spolky/14137678671/, http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2765/4276426485_17cb92891f.jpg, http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cIzzr048_Yw/UOdMyHWi9TI/AAAAAAAAUts/jMiA2rUGxQw/P1180157.JPG, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6a/Olympic_Nat_Park_River_Otter.JPG, http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8305/7752408968_be9c26984a_o.jpg, http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/cgi/img_query?seq_num=576969&one=T, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lontra_canadensis, Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). We tallied responses to these questions and reported frequency of responses. And it is a better swimmer than a mink. Historically, the Cahaba was home to 48 different native freshwater mussel . We received responses from all 48 contiguous states and interviewed agency personnel in Alaska; not all responses were complete (Table S1). River otters were legally harvested in 40 states as of 2016. Most mustelids, including otters, have 36 specialized teeth, including sharp canines and carnassials that inflict lethal bites to prey. [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. The ears appear large on its small flattened head. Since 1976, over 4,000 otters have been reintroduced in 21 U.S. states. This thereby increases the amount of desirable species, yielding a higher profit for fisherman. [61] Appendix II lists species that are not necessarily threatened with extinction currently, but may become so unless trade is closely controlled. [35] However, North American river otters, as foragers, will immediately take advantage of other prey when readily obtainable. Table S1. The river otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur. 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. In the absence of harvest-dependent data, presenceabsence data (such as track surveys), can indicate population distribution and trajectories (Roberts et al. North American river otters can close their nostrils to keep water out during long dives. 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. Their gestational period can last anywhere from two months to one year, as otters are capable of delayed implantation. 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). [26][33], Amphibians and reptiles are more obtainable by the North American river otter during the spring and summer as a result of breeding activity, appropriate temperatures, and water supply for the prey. They have small, round heads with small eyes and ears and prominent whiskers. [28] Uniting all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in a rapidly changing world, Inspire a lifelong connection with wildlife and wild places through our children's publications, products, and activities, National Wildlife Federation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. ), chubs (Semotilus spp. [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. (1996) encouraged jurisdictions to standardize monitoring methodology. 2006. Male North American river otters do not seem to be territorial, and newly dispersing males may join established male groups. Otter play mostly consists of wrestling with conspecifics. [33] Otters have been found to consume invasive Asian carp. Females maintain the den and give birth to an average of two to three pups every year. River otters use their powerful hind feet to help with propulsion and their small, dexterous front feet for paddling through the water. Given the large extent of the species' range, we were limited to county-level inference. [16], North American river otters can live 2125 years in captivity,[23][16] or 813 years in the wild. They can drink while under water due to a special valve in their nose. This dilemma prevents, and consequently inhibits, recolonization or growth of North American river otter populations. [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. HABITAT: 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. DISTRIBUTION: ); and Ictaluridae, which consists of bullheads and catfish (Ictalurus spp.). [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. [30][31] Mammals preyed upon by North American river otters are characteristically small or are a type species found in riparian zones. 271 pp. The vulnerability and seasonal availability of prey animals mainly governs its food habits and prey choices. [38][40], When left unchecked, though, otters can be significant predators under certain circumstances (e.g. When the pups are about two months old and their coats grow in, their mother introduces them to the water. An otters home range may be as small as five miles to as large as 40 miles. Continued monitoring of the population status and distribution at state and national levels would likely detect any significant changes should they occur. In Mexico, the North American river otters lived in the Rio Grande and Colorado River Deltas. While current harvest strategies do not pose a threat to maintaining otter populations, harvest may limit expansion of otter populations in some areas. Scientific studies have shown them to be sensitive to pollution. 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. Life on Land On. Comparisons between our survey and published reports from 1998 (Melquist et al. The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis), also known as the northern river otter or the common otter, is a semiaquatic mammal endemic to the North American continent found in and along its waterways and coasts. William H. Burt and Richard P. Grossehnheider. National Audubon Society. Identification. 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. [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. For many furbearers, including river otter, harvest-based data are the only information available with sufficient sample sizes large enough for robust analyses (White et al. Young otter pups attain sexual maturity at two years of age and at that time are driven away to establish their own territory. [32][50] Susceptibility of these species is greatest during the summer (when waterfowl broods are vulnerable) and autumn. The mammals have thick, protective fur to help them keep warm while swimming in cold waters. Critter Control near me 2003). In 1980, an examination conducted on U.S. river otter populations determined they were locally extinct in 11 states, and lost significant population in 9 other states. Steele Creek Recreational Center, Satsuma, AL. [1], Oil spills present a localized threat to otter populations, especially in coastal areas. 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. [1], Lontra canadensis is listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). [11], In a new classification, the species is called Lontra canadensis, where the genus Lontra includes all the New World river otters. 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. River otters line their dens with leaves, moss, and grass. [51], Adult North American river otters are capable of consuming 1 to 1.5 kilograms (2.2 to 3.3lb) of fish per day. River otter fur ranges from light to dark, rich brown. Citation: Roberts NM, Lovallo MJ, Crimmins SM. Otters are known for their playful nature, even as adults. [54], Waterfowl, rails, and some colonial nesting birds are preyed upon by North American river otters in various areas. 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). 2003). Diet (1996) and suggest that jurisdictions that allow harvest should collect information on the distribution of harvest, some measure of participation or effort, and, ideally, some estimate of age-structure of the harvest. 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. The river otter is considerably larger, reaching several feet in length. American Midland Naturalist 156: 189-192. Current status of populations unknown. Birds and birds' eggs, as well as small terrestrial mammals may also be eaten. kodiak river otter. They have short legs, webbed feet for faster swimming, and a long, narrow body and flattened head for streamlined movement in the water. This reach of the Alabama River is located within a 30-minute drive of hotels, restaurants, service stations, and grocery stores in Monroeville, Grove Hill, and Jackson. Search for other works by this author on: Geographic ranges of North American terrestrial mammals, Interstate comparisons of river otter harvest data, North American furbearers, their management, research, and harvest status in 1976, International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, [ESRI] Environmental Systems Research Institute, International trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora, The North American model of wildlife conservation, Ecology of river otters in West Central Idaho, Wild mammals of North America: biology, management and conservation. Late seasonal breeding of river ot- ters in Yellowstone National Park. 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. [22], Its whiskers (vibrissae) are long and thick, enhancing their senses. Life expectancy is less than 10 years in the wild. 1987. doi: https://doi.org/10.3996/102018-JFWM-093. The otters migrated to North America and southwards again across the Panamanian Land Bridge, which formed 3Mya. Likewise, the potential predatory impact of otters may be considerable whenever fish are physically confined (most commonly in smaller ponds offering sparse cover or other escape options). 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. Otter.ai uses AI to write automatic meeting notes with real-time transcription, recorded audio, automated slide capture, and automated meeting summaries.
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