River Otters
Today’s amazing critters can only be found in the US and Canada. They thrive in lakes, marshes, rivers, and any water habitat. Let’s jump in to get a better look at the incredible River Otter!
1-2-3-SPLASH!
Critter At A Glance
What are their key features? These little critters grow to be about 20-25 lbs. They have long slender bodies, webbed and clawed feet, and muscular flat tails. Their eyes are slightly higher up on their head so they can see out of the water surface. They also have the helpful ability to close off their nostrils and ears while swimming underwater. They spend some of their time on land and in their dens.
Do they interact with each other? They are very playful and social! Mothers live with their pups, and males often live together. You might find groups of them playing in the snow or wrestling in the water.
What do they eat? River Otters are carnivorous, which means they are meat eaters. They eat fish, turtles, crabs, and sometimes birds or eggs. River otters use their long vibrissae, or whiskers, to locate prey in murky water and have 36 sharp teeth and a strong jaw. These critters have very few natural predators in the water, but can be preyed on on land by bobcats and other larger mammals.
Be sure to listen to the story of Odie the River Otter and his amazing adventure!
Are you ready for an out of this world fact?
River otters are amazing swimmers! They can stay underwater for almost eight minutes and swim almost seven miles per hour. In a single dive, a river otter can travel as deep as 60 feet.
Critter Protectors we need you!
We have a super exciting critter challenge with a special prize.
Heimbuch, Jaymi. “9 Amazing Facts about River Otters.” Treehugger, Treehugger, 22 Apr. 2021, https://www.treehugger.com/river-otters-hardest-working-clowns-in-the-water-4869005.
Popular Ids Delivered Images for Cooper-Hewitt National ...https://sirismm.si.edu/reports/IDSstats/CHNDM_DAMS_201707.htm.
“North American River Otter.” National Wildlife Federation, https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Mammals/north-american-river-otter#:~:text=They%20can%20thrive%20in%20any,abandoned%20burrows%20or%20empty%20hollows.