The teen’s mother, biology teacher Casina Ewert, ... One of the two domestic dogs that encountered the river otter was a puppy that had to be euthanized after the incident. The ♀ gave birth to nine litters, with 14.6.1 pups born, 6.4 (48%) of which survived to > 1 year old. We receive no government funding, and depend solely on financial support from our friends. Research based wildlife control information, River Otters | River Otter Overview | River Otter Damage Assessment | River Otter Damage Management | River Otter Resources | River Otter Acknowledgments | ICWDM | Wildlife Species Information, if (window.showTocToggle) { var tocShowText = "show"; var tocHideText = "hide"; showTocToggle(); }. Males weigh 22-45 kg and are 1.2-1.5 m in length. Hollow logs, rock crevices, nutria houses, and abandoned beaver lodges and bank dens are used. The den is usually dug into the bank of a stream but can be an old beaver's lodge, muskrat house or hollow tree. Adult otter can be over 50 inches long and weigh up to 25 lbs. Otter fur is a rich, dark brown and is lighter on the … Their extirpation from many areas is believed to have been related more to poisoning by pesticides bio-magnified in fishes, and to the indirect adverse effects of water pollution on fish, their main food, than to excessive harvest. Litters usually contain 2 to 4 kits, and the female alone cares for the young. Webbing is greatly reduced on the front feet. River otters occur throughout North America except the arctic slopes, the arid portions of the Southwest, and the intensive agricultural and industrialized areas of the Midwestern United States (Fig. It also serves as an information and education resource for The Gut Microbial Community Structure of the North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis) in the Alberta Oil Sands Region in Canada: ... Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 180, Gendron Hall, 30 Marie Curie, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5 Canada. Organize or attend a stream, river, lake or other waterway cleanup in your area to preserve aquatic habitats for local species. Amphibious, muscular river otters swim gracefully and quickly underwater to catch prey, and they can run on land. River otters belong to the weasel family. Otter populations are confined to water courses, lakes, and wetlands, and therefore, population densities are lower than those of terrestrial species. About River Otter Ecology Project. We are not announcing a reopening date at this time and will provide updates on our websites and social media. The tail comprises less than a third of the body length. The tail is highly muscular and comprises up to 40 percent of the otter's total body length. Seasonally, they may travel distances of 50 to 60 miles (80 to 96 km) along streams or lake shores, and their home ranges may be as large as 60 square miles (155 km2). It is both the world’s largest otter and largest member of the mustelid family, reaching up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) in length. As of 2016, ROEP has catalogued more than 1,730 sightings and added to that tally close to 5,000 camera-trap videos and photos and roughly 1,300 samples of otter scat. They devour fish and other prey, keeping ecosystems balanced. River otters are almost invariably associated with water (fresh, brackish, and salt water), although they may travel overland for considerable distances. Kristin Moore, a UNM undergrad, and Jerry Dragoo, a research assistant professor in UNM’s biology department, performed a DNA analysis to confirm or refute the field identification. River otter poop also contains lots of DNA, from what the otters have eaten and from the otters themselves. They have prominent whiskers just behind and below the nose, thick muscular necks and shoulders, and feet that are webbed between the toes. The otters are thriving—the water is relatively clean, the populations of fish are good. They have an elongated, thick, neck with long, narrow head and small eyes, small, tapering ear which is rounded at the tip, pointed, short tail; and broad, webbed feet. A new study from North Carolina State University detected evidence of otter diseases that may be spread by pets. We hope you will join us in this important work. River otters on our study area exhibited clear evidence of space sharing, suggesting that individuals in this population were neither solitary nor territorial. The male reproductive system contains a penis, testes, scrotum and more while the female reproductive system contains a vagina, ovaries, etc. Males weigh 22-45 kg and are 1.2-1.5 m in length. Tools, commonly rocks, may be used by some individuals to break into hard-shelled prey, especially marine snails. SEA OTTER BIOLOGY. River otters use their powerful hind feet to help with propulsion and their small, dexterous front feet for paddling through the water. They remain as a family unit for seven to eight months or until the birth of a new litter. Gestation lasts about 60 days, and the young, called kits, are born almost 1 year after conception. Click on an organ system below to see examples of everything from normal heart and lungs to lymphnodes and much more! They spend a significant portion of the day scent marking territory by urinating, defecating, scratching and rubbing their scent glands on rocks and trees. Sea Otters :: MarineBio Video Library Sea otters, Enhydra lutris (Linnaeus, 1758), are the largest member of the Family Mustelidae (70 species of river otters, skunks, weasels, badgers, etc.) Adult sea otters standard length is on average 4 ft. 3 in. The Giant River Otter(Pteronura brasiliensis), often referred to as the river wolf, is a species in the Mustelid (weasel) family that is endemic to South America. They weigh about 4 to 6 ounces (113 to 170 grams) at birth and measure 8 to 11 inches (20 to 28 centimeters). River Otter Habitats - Biology bibliographies - in Harvard style . The pelage(covering, or coat, of a mammal, whether of wool, fur, or hair) is brown or reddis… Size: to 30″ (body) Habitat: in and around water Notes: River otters are shy but playful creatures that spend much of their time just splashing around. MRC 5516 River otters leave scent marks on vegetation within their home range. Like other carnivores, their teeth are well adapted for grinding and crushing. Life history and biology of otters Recognizing good otter habitat Interpreting sign and assessing otter damage Trapping methods for wildlife damage management Techniques for preparing pelts for personal use or sale Should you need further help, a Missouri Department of Conservation wildlife damage biologist can assist you on site with your nuisance otter problems. River otters use a variety of denning sites that seem to be selected based on availability and convenience. The fertilized eggs float around in the uterus for about 9 months before implantation occurs, rather than implanting on the uterine wall shortly after fertilization. The river otter Lontra canadensis is an elusive species that can serve an important role in aquatic ecosystems as a top predator of fish and crayfish. Otters are found from Newfoundland to Vancouver Island and north to Yukon Territory. They hunt singly or in pairs and although otters generally forage in water, they are equally at home on land, sometimes traveling between 10 and 18 miles (16 and 29 kilometers) in search of food. At the center of the range in California, sea otters spend 40-50% of each 24-hr period foraging, although in more recently occupied areas at the edge of the range they may feed as little as 20% of the time. In South Carolina, they are common along waterways of the coastal plain. River otter were listed as endangered by the state of Illinois in 1989, with relict populations occurring in northwestern Illinois and extreme southern Illinois (Anderson 1995).The state recovery team, formed in 1993, developed a reintroduction program (Bluett et al. Science of The Total Environment, 408(3), pp.537-542 . Popular AMA APA (6th edition) APA (7th edition) Chicago (17th edition, author-date) Harvard IEEE ISO 690 MHRA (3rd edition) MLA (8th edition) OSCOLA Turabian (9th edition) Vancouver. Habitat. General Biology, Reproduction, and Behavior, Best Practices for Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators. A nocturnal creature, an otter only left its den after dark to forage for food. Range. When a female otter is in her most fertile state it is referred to as estrus. Their webbed feet, streamlined bodies, and long, tapered tails enable them to move through water with agility, grace, and speed. Known throughout much of their range as 'river wolf', they are amongst South America's top carnivores. Pups grow rapidly and emerge from the den at about 2 months of age. Information about river otter breeding and reproductive and social behavior is varied due to the difficulty of studying these animals in the wild. Food. An otter's tail is long and tapered, thickest where it joins the body and furred its entire length. It represents our guide to managing otter populations in Pennsylvania for the next 10 years. The reproductive biology of river otters and all other weasels is complex because of a characteristic known as delayed implantation. 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. Using fertilizers sparingly, keeping storm drains free of litter and picking up after your pet can also improve watershed health. Because they are at the top of their food chain, they have few predators. Journal. Not only are we seeing the return of the River otter to many areas, but also that it is possible for humans and otters, to co-exist in the same areas. The male otter is generally chased away until the young are weaned and old enough to leave the riverbank, at which time they may return and help raise the pups. The River Otter Ecology Project is a registered 501 (c)(3) EIN #45-4997526 non-profit organization dedicated to the welfare of river otters and our watershed. It is encouraging to note that with these conservation programs, regulations on trapping and the improvement of water quality, the river otters are finally making a comeback in certain wetland areas. Are you a hunter? They are powerful swimmers and are continuously active, alert, and quick—characteristics that give them immense aesthetic and recreational value. different regions. Water Consumption Animal Average Amount (Liters per day) Canada Goose0.24 Cat0.15 Mink0.10 Opossum0.30 Bald Eagle0.16 A river otter drinks liters in three days. Following breeding and fertilization in spring, eggs (blastocysts) exist in a free-floating state until the following winter or early spring. Their sex can be readily distinguished by the presence of a baculum (penile bone). Average life expectancy. Natal dens tend to be located on small headwater branches or streams leading to major drainages or lakes. Society for Conservation Biology North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis): A Technical Conservation Assessment Prepared for the USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region, Species Conservation Project September 2, 2006 Steve Boyle BIO-Logic Environmental 635 East Main Ste. The diet of the river otter throughout its range is primarily fish. However, the studies done in Kochi University revealed something different. What is clear is that there is a delayed implantation of nine to 11 months, with actual gestation taking about 60 days. Now more than ever, we need your support. The North American river otter is the most abundant otter species, but surprisingly little is known about its life in the wild. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (1.29m) for males and 3 ft. 8 in. During the mid-80s, zoologists still regarded the European otter as a species on the verge of extinction. Sea otters feed on benthic invertebrates and typically dive to the bottom to forage, although they may also pull prey off emergent rocks, kelp stipes or kelp canopy. river otter biology, habitat, history, resource value, and population management and provide direction for future management. In some provinces and states, major otter re-introduction projects are underway with much success. For many years, it was thought that the Japanese river otter was a subspecies of the Eurasian otter Lutra lutra. However, water pollution, uncontrolled trapping and severe habitat loss have reduced the number of river otters. Protect local waterways by using fewer pesticides when caring for your garden or lawn. Regionally extinct throughout the Midwest and heavily populated areas in the east, several states have recently begun reintroduction programs. Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute 3001 Connecticut Ave., NW Washington, DC 20008, PO Box 37012 With the tail's strong, undulating movement, a river otter propels itself through the water as fast as 8 miles (13 kilometers) pe… Adult males usually attain lengths of nearly 48 inches (122 cm) and weights of about 25 pounds (11.3 kg), but may reach 54 inches (137 cm) and 33 pounds (15 kg). Recent releases totaling more than 1,000 otters have been made in Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and West Virginia in efforts to reestablish local populations. Although river otters weren’t seen and no tracks were found due to the terrain of the area, the evidence is solid. Female adults measure about 44 inches (112 cm) and weigh 19 pounds (8.6 kg). Stealing of prey from another otter sometimes occurs, most typically males stealing from females. Recent research, however, indicates that otters prefer slower moving, easier to catch fish, such as suckers and catfish found along river bottoms, and pose no threat to game fish. With the tail's strong, undulating movement, a river otter propels itself through the water as fast as 8 miles (13 kilometers) per hour and can easily dive to 36 feet (11 meters) or more. River otters are adaptable animals inhabiting a variety of aquatic habitats including ponds, rivers, and saltmarshes. These otters have brown-to-gray fur, and their undersides are a lighter, silvery shade. Oct 26, 2018 - Explore Lori Lee Rudy's board "River Otter", followed by 135 people on Pinterest. Males have been recorded to travel up to 10 miles (16 km) in 1 night. The reproductive biology of river otters and all other weasels is complex because of a characteristic known as delayed implantation. Otter are carnivores, feeding on fish, crayfish, frogs, insects, small mammals, mollusks, and blue crabs. Otter births occur most frequently in March or April. Society for Conservation Biology North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis): A Technical Conservation Assessment Prepared for the USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region, Species Conservation Project September 2, 2006 Steve Boyle BIO-Logic Environmental 635 East Main Ste. They inhabit lakes, rivers, streams, bays, estuaries, and associated riparian habitats. As recently as the mid-1980s, more than 30,000 pelts were harvested annually. Density & Home Range Size. The tail is highly muscular and comprises up to 40 percent of the otter's total body length. The river otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur. Other research maintains that river otters mate for life. Cite This For Me. Their short but thick, soft fur is brown to almost black except on the chin, throat, cheeks, chest, and occasionally the belly, where it is usually lighter, varying from brown to almost beige. “Otters need fresh water to keep their fur clean and to drink, but they’re very comfortable in any kind of water. Find resources to engage learners in grades preK-12 with science, the natural world, wildlife and conservation. The Basics. Otters are large weasel-like animals that have long bodies, small ears, a broad snout, short legs with webbed feet, and a long hair-covered tail that is wide at the body and narrows toward the tip. Female otters prepare dens that they keep scrupulously clean. That is why they are an excellent species to investigate pathogens and diseases.” River otters have long, stiff and highly sensitive facial whiskers that aid in locating and capturing prey. An extremely adaptable animal, otters tolerate hot and cold climates, as well as high elevations and lowland coastal waters. Provided it survives its first year of life, a typical North American river otter will live to the age of 12, with some surviving longer. Unlike sea otters, river otters are capable of covering great distances on land. The oldest living river otter on record was 27 years old. 2 Four appendices reporting on short investigations into matters related to the review: Ecology of the European Otter 5 Paul Glendell/English Nature Although there is a lot of information available about the biology and distribution of the otter,a great deal Females are roughly one-third the size of males. State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Change style powered by CSL. The Japanese river otter ... Ecology and biology Habits. This work is supported by New Technologies for Agriculture Extension grant no. There is evidence that river otters' play activities strengthen social bonds, improve hunting techniques and scent mark territories. At the Smithsonian's National Zoo, they eat a prepared meat diet and several types of fish. California sea otter: Enhydra lutris nereis Alaskan sea otter: Enhydra lutris kenyoni Russian sea otter: Enhydra lutris lutris: Body size. Understanding river otter range, or the area that river otters inhabit, is an important tool to help us with land use planning, restoration decisions, and toxic spill planning and response. By 1977, the river otter was included as an Appendix II species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) - not necessarily for the river otter’s sake, but more so for that of similar species with endangered status, whom officials feared would be inadvertently targeted by the fur trade in a case of mistaken identity. Research done in the early 1990s by the Department of Biology of Kochi University in Japan revealed some interesting facts about the genes of the Japanese River Otter. Sea otters, Enhydra lutris (Linnaeus, 1758), are the largest member of the Family Mustelidae (70 species of river otters, skunks, weasels, badgers, etc.) While river otters tend to live alone or in pairs, they often socialize in groups and are known for their playful behavior. They will also frequent unused or abandoned human structures or shelters. FAST FACTS. Adult river otters weigh 10 to 33 pounds (4.5 to 15 kilograms) and are about 2.5 to 5 feet (76 to 152 centimeters) in length. North American river otters are known for their playful swimming, but they are also an important species for helping scientists understand the health of river … males: 10 to 15 years; females: 15 to 20 years: Vocal behavior. Distribution. The otters typically capture prey in their mouths but occasionally use their thumbs and forepaws to grasp and manipulate prey. Different studies have placed the breeding season in winter, late spring and summer. In their role as predators, otters help regulate the local population of the organisms they consume. River Otter (Lutra canadensis Schreber) From: Saunders, D. A. “Everything runs to the rivers,” said Chris DePerno, co-author of the study and a professor in NC State’s Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology Program. 2). River otters usually mate in the months of March and April. Despite their name, they inhabit more than just rivers. Once they implant, fetal growth lasts 60 to 65 days until the kits are born, usually in spring (March through May) in most areas. During 2006, we conducted riparian surveys to detect river otter Lontra canadensis latrines at 15 bridge-suites along riverine habitats in southwestern Pennsylvania and western Maryland, USA. Between 1999 and 2004 a study into the behaviour and reproductive biology of a pair of Giant river otters was carried out at Cali Zoo. Educational Activities You Can Do at Home, About the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Your Go-to Guide for a Winter Day at the Zoo, Pouncing On Enrichment: Stories from Real-Life Zoo Gaurdians. Increases in the range and numbers of river otters in response to the return of beaver has been dramatic, particularly in the southeastern United States. Answers: 3 on a question: River otters drink about 5 times as much water as a bald eagle drinks in a day. A mature male otter weighs 10 to 25 pounds and is 30 to 40 inches in length, plus a 12- to 15-inch tail. The otters typically capture prey in their mouths but occasionally use their thumbs and forepaws to grasp and manipulate prey. Even when our gates are closed, we are still here, working as always to save species. Accumulation of mercury and selenium in the brain of river otters (Lontra canadensis) and wild mink (Mustela vison) from Nova Scotia, Canada. Biology of the North American river otter Adult river otters weigh between 15 and 30 pounds and measure 84.34 cm (2.8 feet) to 137.16 cm (4.5 feet).1,2 Otters have adapted to their aquatic environment by de-veloping dense fur, large lungs, and webbed hind feet. Scent marking is done by either urinating/defecating or by emitting a strong, musky odor from the paired scent glands near the base of the tail. Their precolonial range apparently included all of North America except the arid Southwest and the northernmost portions of Alaska and Canada. See more ideas about otters, otter love, river otter. Otters reach sexual maturity at 2 to 3 years of age. The playful North American river otter is equally at home in the water and on land. That home range shrinks drastically during breeding and rearing season. They usually remain together as a family group though the fall and into the winter months. Females are slightly smaller, weighing 14-33 kg and measuring 1-1.4 m in length. The Giant River Otter only lives in three river systems: the Amazon, Orinoco and La Plata. When Andrew Rutter took a full-time wildlife ecologist position at the Lake County Forest Preserves in 2017, he expected his work studying river otter ecology would come to an end. Breeding Biology North American river otters get their boundless energy from their very high metabolism, which also requires that they eat a great deal during the day. It makes its home in a burrow near the water's edge, and can thrive in river, lake, swamp, or estuary ecosystems. Females have 4 mammae on the upper chest and are slightly smaller than males. As our little bundle of joy explores his habitat, help us celebrate his milestones with a gift today! The river otter (Lontra canadensis) is widely distributed across North America, from Florida to Alaska, and this large mustelid (weasel family) occupied every major waterway of the United States and Canada until at least the nineteenth century.By 1977, however, they occupied < 75% of their historic range due to draining of wetlands, overharvesting for fur, and pollution. They don’t like human encroachment, and are uncommon nowadays. The otter’s fur is thick but fine, lustrous deep brown to almost black in color, with the exception of the chin and throat which are lighter. The majority of the animals in our study area shared space with at least 1 other animal at the core-area scale, and animals tended to be attracted to each other and were frequently located m close proximity to other otters. They are found at the top of the food chain, and there is some evidence that their birth rates are reduced when pollution levels—including toxic chemicals, heavy metals, pesticides and agricultural wastes—build up. otter biology and history ^ Otters were once plentiful across most of North America but due to trapping pressure in the late 1800’s and early 20th century, these numbers dwindled. They spend much of their time feeding and at what appears to be group play, repeatedly sliding down steep banks of mud or snow. Otter Spotters help the River Otter Ecology Project keep track of the lively creatures, whose population was decimated by trappers and pollution. 216pp. Following breeding and fertilization in spring, eggs (blastocysts) exist in a free-floating state until the following winter or early spring. 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