|Scientific Name||Lontra canadensis|
Northern river otter, common otter
North American River Otter Description
- Otters migrate each year. They become nocturnal in the spring; diurnal during winter.
- River otters can travel up to 42 km (26 mi) in one day.
- They can remain submerged for about 4 minutes.
- The North American river otters can travel up to 42 km (26 mi) in a single day.
- Kits remain blind for as long as 30 to 38 days.
Size & Weight
- HEAD-BODY-LENGTH: 66 to 107 centimeters (26 to 42 in)
- WEIGHT: (males) 3 kilograms (25 lb) (females) 8.3 kilograms (18 lb)
- TAIL: 30 to 50 centimeters (12 to 20 in)
Lakes, rivers, inland wetlands, coastal shorelines, marshes, estuaries
Canada, Pacific Northwest, Atlantic states, Gulf of Mexico, Aleutian Islands
Fruits, reptiles, amphibians, moulting ducks, mollusks, carrion, crustaceans, crayfish
Common carp, redhorses, bullheads, catfish, squawfish, pike, trout, scuplins, walleye, salmon, darters, perches, suckers
Reptiles & amphibians:
Wood frogs, Canadian toads, Pacific giant salamander, rough-skinned newt, garter snakes, bullfrogs, green frogs
Waterfowls, rails, American wigeon, green-winged teal, ruddy duck, mallard, American coot
Aquatic invertebrates, adult beetles, dragonfly, stonefly
Eastern cottontails, snowshoe hares, meadow voles,
3 – 5 litters
December to April
2 years (males)
- 8 – 9 years (wild)
- 21 – 25 years (captivity)
11 km/h (6.8 mph)
Alligator, American crocodile, sharks, killer sharks, mountain lion, wolf, black bear
Birdlike chirp, chuckling