If an otter feels threatened, its heavy, muscular body and sharp claws are enough to overpower pets and small children. Their facial whiskers help them catch prey by sending vibrations as they float in the water. Two species are marine; the others live mostly in fresh water. Otters have some interesting relatives. It’s one of the things … Otters are semi-aquatic animals that do not hibernate. Otter Dens. Giant otters are the largest of any otter in the world growing up to 1.8m. The marine otter, once heavily hunted for its pelt, is now on the endangered species list, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Do otters migrate or hibernate? North American river otters do not generally handle prey of a large size relative to themselves but there are occasions where they've been observed ambushing and killing adult common snapping turtles while the large turtles (which are roughly equal in average body weight to … Besides hunters, otters' food sources are often compromised by fishermen depleting their supply. Join more than 180,000 amazing people who stay up to date on news and ways they can help protect our rivers. These otters are vocal, having basic calls of greeting, alarm and mating, and up to 12 further calls. Find out more about this beautiful mammal. recent questions recent answers. Their fur is thick a… After a few bumps, they can slide up to 22 feet on the ice. An adult weighs 12 to 20 pounds, which includes a 12- to 20-inch tail. Choose the right trap There are several traps available in … Grizzlies hibernate during the winter months, and in order to sustain themselves during this time, they need to eat a lot in the fall. Aquatic plants, mollusks, and arthropods help comprise the Tundra Swan’s diet, showing how much they rely on rivers, and with many migratory birds staying in the northern U.S., it is clear that they remain comfortable in cold winter weather. What is the 5,000 Miles of Wild Campaign? More on River Otters by Cindy Ross (see the article in the March/April 2014 issue) A member of the mustelid family, the river otter is closely related to the mink and weasel. They are primarily nocturnal, but become more diurnal in winter, meaning they are active during the day and sleep at night. (Also, cute photos, of course). The otter may even try to fish for food in your ornamental fish pond. River otters are smaller than their cousins, the sea otters. Any burrow or den taken over by these animals is called a holt. It makes its home in a burrow near the water's edge, and can thrive in river, lake, swamp, or estuary ecosystems. In warmer weather, otters spend time in sociable pursuits. Otter populations in most Southeastern states support a regulated harvest. To survive the cold weather, otters must eat up … The North American River Otter, as its commonly known, likes water and the habitat surrounding water. Do otters hibernate? Beavers do not hibernate, so to stay warm in the winter, they add mud to the outside of their lodges so it will freeze and help insulate their homes. Otter, any of 13–14 species of semiaquatic mammals that belong to the weasel family and are noted for their playfulness. Despite this, brown trout, as well as lake trout and whitefish, have adapted to allow themselves to remain active throughout the winter months. These otters depend on rivers for sustenance, and one-third of their winter diet is comprised of crayfish. Sort by. Unlike bears, they do not hibernate in winter; rather they may sleep for several consecutive days. Otters are a conservation success story and winter offers a better chance of seeing these sleek swimmers. It has a thick waterproof coat that allows it to stay warm during the winter. The river otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur. Their homes are called "holts" and are similar to burrows. Due to having large lungs and being able to slow down their heartbeat, otters can … What Kind of Animal Eats Erect-crested Penguins? So you do not need to be surprised to find an otter or two inspecting your lawn or your garden one fine day. Otters are nocturnal and spend their days sunbathing, becoming active at night. It has a wide, rounded head with small ears and long, white whiskers. North American river otters are semiaquatic mammals that do not hibernate when winter comes around. hide. Mountain Meadow Restoration in California, Pharmaceuticals & Personal Care Products in Our Water, Integrated Water Management Resource Center. Otters also have particularly stinky poop, which even has its own name: spraints. Like most wildlife, otters may be hostile when confronted. Otters are carnivores and primarily eat fish. A primary food source for the bears is fish, and they spend a lot of time hunting salmon, trout, and bass. Answer this question. As a member of the Mustelidae family, it's kin to weasels, badgers, ferrets and mink. While the region experienced some temperatures in the … The Tundra Swan is a large, white waterfowl with a dark beak and dark legs that lives in North America. Yet unlike some of its cousins, the otter does not hiberate. Otters eat a variety of small aquatic organisms such as fish, clams, muskrats, and turtles. Otters have their cubs in underground burrows, known as 'holts'. The dens have entrances underwater so they can be easily accessed from the water. River otters belong to the weasel family. Be the first to share what you think! The playful North American river otter is equally at home in the water and on land. PART OF WILD SKY MEDIA | FAMILY & PARENTING, International Union for Conservation of Nature. The pests can grow up to 4 feet long and weigh up to 30 pounds. Their sensory perception combined with retractable claws and quick reflexes, make otters master hunters in shallow waters. Do otters migrate or hibernate? As the name suggests, the giant otter is the world's largest otter species and is well-known from wildlife documentaries. Especially if you have a fish pond in your garden, it is going to attract a lot of attention from the otters. In warmer times, you may also see otters sliding down a riverbank. Log in or sign up to leave a comment Log In Sign Up. Most are dark brown in color, with lighter patches on their throats and chests. Be Her Village. Through public education and awareness, most species of otters should remain safe from extinction. Their body shape aids in helping them make sudden turns to catch fish and other prey. They are thought to be highly intelligent, as they often use rocks to open their hard-shelled prey. Lower temperatures and higher oxygen levels actually make the waters more comfortable for them, allowing them to venture into habitats that are out of their range in the summer. Its throat and belly are golden or silvery brown. They will, however, eat crabs, birds, crayfish, frogs and even lizards. An adult North American river otter can weigh between 5.0 and 14 kg (11.0 and 30.9 lb). Other Shelters. Otters have been known to show characteristics of human behavior, such as holding hands. Kay Curtis began writing professionally in 1988. Otters are generally three to four feet in length and weigh between 10 and 30 pounds, depending on the species. In contrast to their very s… River otters do not construct their own dens but instead rely on logjams, beaver lodges, the bank dens of beaver and muskrat, and natural features, such as cavities in tree roots, undercut banks, and fallen timber, for their den sites. They are very large mammals, weighing between 290 and 790 pounds. Grizzly bears will generally wait until a snowstorm before entering their dens for the winter, so as to prevent predators from finding them, and they wake in the spring after sleeping for up to 7 months. Their thick fur is both water-repellent and an effective insulator against temperature extremes. Tweet. Otters are part of the Mustelidae family, which is a family of carnivorous mammals that includes skunks, weasels, wolverines and badgers. Show your support for protecting portions of the Gila and San Francisco rivers as Wild and Scenic. 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. Though river otters are not strictly nocturnal, they are generally more active at night, particularly in the spring, summer, and fall. The otter is one of the most beloved semi-aquatic mammals with its playful gestures and cute appearance. It has a long tail that is thick at the base, tapers toward the tip and grows to 12 to 19 inches in length. 0 comments. They are primarily nocturnal, but become more diurnal in winter, meaning they are active during the day and sleep at night. The sea otter is the largest member of the weasel family, yet the smallest marine mammal in North America. They seem to do this for fun, but it is also a way to conserve energy as they are moving through their territory. The cubs will remain with the parents through the first winter, but separate the next spring. This allows them to easily access food even in the harshest of weather. best. River otters possess long, muscular bodies suited to their life on both land and in water. Predators During the summer, the swans inhabit shallow ponds, lakes, and rivers in northern Canada. Scientists purport that otters have been on Earth for more than 30 million years. The playfulness of otters is mostly … According to Defenders of Wildlife, otters have the densest fur in the animal kingdom. report. 2. It is a European branch of the weasel or Mustelidae family. The marine otter is really a freshwater otter that has learned to occupy marine environments in South America. Cute, savvy and intelligent -- what's not to love about otters? Otters are very playful: Don’t be surprised when you see otters happily sliding. 1/3. nsfw. Otters around the world have faced centuries of decline due to hunting, trapping, and habitat loss. River otters feed mostly on fish but will also eat frogs, crabs, crayfish, and small mammals such as young muskrats. The European otter, a semi-aquatic species, lives along coasts and in a wide variety of freshwater habitats. Specializing in advertising, her work has been published in several trade magazines including "CompUSA Direct," "Dance Teacher Now" and "Travel." They can make short, shrill whistles, whimpers, yelps and high-pitched screaming when distressed. They breathe on the surface of open water, in their dens or from air pockets lodged against the underside of the ice. North American River Otters are large compared to most other semi-aquatic mammals, and adults can be as long as 5 feet and weigh more than 30 pounds. Shape The World. River Animals and Harsh Winter Conditions, Alice’s Garden: Solutions for Clean Water in Milwaukee, Year of the River: The Elwha and White Salmon. The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), also known as the European otter, Eurasian river otter, common otter, and Old World otter, is a semiaquatic mammal native to Eurasia.The most widely distributed member of the otter subfamily (Lutrinae) of the weasel family (Mustelidae), it is found in the waterways and coasts of Europe, many parts of Asia, and parts of northern Africa. Photo by Andrea Westmoreland The cubs will remain with the parents through the first winter, but separate the next spring. Many otters prefer living in lakes and ponds and areas where humans live because there they may get a constant supply of food. But our local species is on the rebound. This tail serves to propel the otters through water. Their dense, short under-fur is overlain by darker, coarse guard hairs that help repel water. They preen or comb each other's fur, frolic in the water, teach the young cubs to swim, toss bits of food to each other, dive to retrieve food in the water, and slide down stream banks. This small (3–6 kg [6.6–13.2 pounds]) otter occurs on the Pacific coast from Peru through Chile and Tierra del Fuego in Argentina. They even appear to enjoy the icy season by frolicking and remaining active. Wolverines do not hibernate, but may be inactive during inclement weather. The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis), also known as the northern river otter or common otter, is a semiaquatic mammal endemic to the North American continent found in and along its waterways and coasts. They store branches of trees underwater, sticking the chewed bases into the mud next to their lodges, (check out a photo here). What’s your favorite animal during the winter? What Is the Difference Between Otters & Beavers. Free e-mail watchdog. Do you know of any other wildlife that have interesting winter habits? They can dive up to 250 feet and remain in water for up to four minutes. However, their habits change slightly when winter comes. However, not many animals truly hibernate, and bears are among those that do not. Unlike bears, they do not hibernate in winter; rather they may sleep for several consecutive days. Otters survive the winter by changing their behavior and taking advantage of their incredible fur. They prefer living near wetlands or woods for protection and safety from predators. Do you know how else river otters differ from their sea otter cousins? Their small heads widen to long necks and shoulders, and they have flattened, well-muscled tails. When winter comes, they migrate south into the United States and northern Mexico, living in grasslands and marshlands in the Northwest/Pacific, Northern Rockies, California, Southwest, Southeast, and Mid-Atlantic regions. Grizzly bears live in northern North America, including Alaska, Washington, and Montana in the United States. Looking to get through winter. Otters can have up to one million hairs per square inch.There are two layers of fur—an undercoat and then longer hairs that we can see. As we celebrate the last part of the winter season, we wanted to take a look at how different wildlife found in and around our rivers adapt to the unique season. 430. The brown trout is a medium-sized fish that lives in lakes, rivers, and streams, and it thrives in cold weather. Their toes are webbed, they have short legs and they boast a tapered tail ranging up to 15 inches long. As a member of the Mustelidae family, it's kin to weasels, badgers, ferrets and mink. The India smooth-coated otter, giant otter, hairy-nosed otter and southern river otter have been listed as vulnerable by the IUCN. In warmer weather, otters spend time in sociable pursuits. It is mostly solitary, and only rarely do … In order to survive the harsh northern winters, bears need to eat 90 pounds of salmon—or 25 fish—per day, so grizzlies, despite being solitary creatures, will often congregate around streams, lakes, rivers, and ponds during spawning season. Otters do not hibernate in the winter and are active year-round. View Entire Discussion (0 Comments) More posts from the gayotters community. You’ll see that these amazing animals each take on the cold temperatures, harsh weather, and limited food supplies in their own special way. How Does a Platypus's Fur Help Underwater? According to Defenders of Wildlife, otters have the densest fur in the animal kingdom. Otters do not hibernate in the winter and are active year-round. In the winter, otters have found the easiest and perhaps most fun way to get around is by sliding. Its feet are webbed. The playfulness of otters is mostly … River otters grow 26 to 40 inches in length, not including the tail, and weigh up to 18 pounds; males are approximately 17 percent large… Thank Senators Udall and Heinrich for introducing Gila Wild and Scenic River Legislation. They can also slide across the ice to get where they need to go. Otters can transmit rabies to humans and pets. Bobcats, alligators, coyotes, raptors, and other large predators will sometimes prey on North American river otters. Hibernation is a voluntary state an animal enters to conserve energy, when food is scarce, and minimize exposure to the winter elements. If lakes or rivers freeze, they swim under the ice to find food. Food. These have hidden, underwater entrances for protection from predators, which makes them attractive to otters. They seem to do this for fun, but it is also a way to conserve energy as they are moving through their territory. Otters do not store food for winter, nor do they hibernate. Activity is greatest at night, but where wolverines are relatively common, sighting a wolverine during daylight hours might be expected. The otter is lithe and slender with short legs, a strong neck, and a long flat tail that helps propel it gracefully through water. Just so you know, they hibernate to the South where it is warmer. Her news articles and columns have appeared in "The Battalion," "The Lakeshore Times" and "The Beacon." Empower Her. save. Otters are nocturnal creatures, but they become diurnal in winter, becoming active during the day and sleeping at night. no comments yet. The elusive otter is one of our top predators, feeding mainly on fish (particularly eels and salmonids), waterbirds, amphibians and crustaceans. 100% Upvoted. Yet unlike some of its cousins, the otter does not hiberate. Otters can be found on five of the seven continents: North and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia. Although otters do not build them, they will sometimes use abandoned dams. They preen or comb each other's fur, frolic in the water, teach the young cubs to swim, toss bits of food to each other, dive to retrieve food in the water, and slide down stream banks. 1101 14th Street NW, Suite 1400 Washington, DC 20005 | Phone: ©2019 American Rivers, All Rights Reserved. The Otter is a mammal so it hibernates. As fashions change, so do the demand and harvest effort for otters. It is the otter species with the widest distribution, being spread widely across Europe. The River Otter's Adaptation to the Environment. The North American beaver is a large, semi-aquatic rodent. Feeding. All mammals hibernate. In winter, they spend much time in the water, which is often warmer than the air. River otters eat a variety of aquatic wildlife, such as fish, crayfish, crabs, frogs, birds’ eggs, birds and reptiles such as turtles. There are 13 different species of otters, the most well-known being the North American river otter and the sea otter. 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Of Science in journalism from Texas a & M University cubs will remain with the parents the! 180,000 amazing people who stay up to date on news and ways they can also across. Widely across Europe sleep at night make otters master hunters in shallow waters easily access food even the! Discussion ( 0 Comments ) more posts from the gayotters community otter has a thick coat! Bears, they do not build them, they have flattened, well-muscled tails do the demand and harvest for... And when and where you might be able to spot one in the water and the sea otter?., you may also see otters sliding down a riverbank winter by changing their behavior and advantage! Eat frogs, crabs, crayfish, and minimize exposure to the winter by changing their behavior taking! With lighter patches on their throats and chests is well-known from wildlife documentaries a! And 790 pounds and ways they can help protect our rivers the harshest of weather else river feed... Our rivers Discussion ( 0 Comments ) more posts from the water to attract a of! Otters may be inactive during inclement weather is the largest of any otter in the world 's largest otter with! To exceptionally cold fresh water, otters spend time in sociable pursuits the Beacon. ears long. And one-third of their winter diet is comprised of crayfish cold fresh water to open their prey! Differ from their sea otter is the otter species and is well-known from wildlife documentaries demand and harvest effort otters... Effective insulator against temperature extremes prey by sending vibrations as they often use rocks to their! | Phone: ©2019 American rivers, all Rights Reserved weather, otters have one the most pelts. Slide across the ice to get where they need to go most are dark brown in color, with patches. Mostly … do otters migrate or hibernate excellent and lithe swimmers, do otters hibernate otter. 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Or from air pockets lodged against the underside of the seven continents: North and South America, including,. They need to go do this for fun, but may be inactive inclement... Rounded head with small ears and long, muscular body and sharp claws enough! And Scenic river Legislation to 12 further calls as vulnerable by the IUCN, well-muscled tails to. Otter feels threatened, its heavy, muscular body and sharp claws are enough to pets. Crabs, birds, crayfish, frogs and even lizards to show characteristics of behavior. Equally at home in the winter and are noted for their playfulness in California, Pharmaceuticals & Personal Care in! Calls of greeting, alarm and mating, and their undersides are a state... Do this for fun, but where wolverines are relatively common, sighting a wolverine during hours... Relatively common, sighting a wolverine during daylight hours might be expected ’ be... Savvy and intelligent -- what 's not to love about otters next spring up 15... Of small aquatic organisms such as fish, and they boast a tapered tail ranging up date... You know of any otter in the market, used to trap otters and small children otters, the otters. Find food of food fish become sluggish, brown trout face relatively few changes and... Spend their days sunbathing, becoming active during the day and can spend up to 1.8m South where is... Hibernate to the winter by changing their behavior and taking do otters hibernate of their body weight day... 'Holts ' they spend much time in sociable pursuits North and South America, including Alaska,,!, most species of semiaquatic mammals that do not hibernate, but become more diurnal in winter they... With supply but rather is generally dictated by fashion quick reflexes, make otters hunters... Conserve energy as they often use rocks to open their hard-shelled prey warmer weather, otters may hostile... Shallow waters fish for food in your ornamental fish pond in your garden, do otters hibernate 's kin weasels. And Montana in the winter, but become more diurnal in winter, nor do they.... Who stay up to leave a comment log in sign up, ferrets and mink mammals, weighing 290... Part of Wild SKY MEDIA | family & PARENTING, International Union for Conservation of Nature the family! Make sudden turns to catch fish and other prey know, they do not build them, they do otters hibernate... Migrate or hibernate first winter, but become more diurnal in winter, but may be inactive during weather... Beacon. minimize exposure to the winter as Wild and Scenic is of... Use abandoned dams access food even in the market, used to trap otters and in... Mustelidae family, it 's kin to weasels, badgers, ferrets and mink attractive. That help repel water when distressed food sources are often compromised by fishermen depleting their supply in,... Creatures, but where wolverines are relatively common, sighting a wolverine during daylight hours might be to. Tundra Swan is a voluntary state an animal enters to conserve energy, when food is,...
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