The North American river otter occurs in much of Canada and the United States, except for portions of the Southwest, and in Mexico in the Rio Grande and Colorado River delta areas. Threats: Destruction of habitat. This species used to be known as Amblonyx cinereus, and before that as Aonyx cinerea. 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 systems. During the winter the otter could only fish through small ice holes. Zoo New England participates in the North American river otter Species Survival Plan. A North American river otter is capable of breeding once it reaches about two years of age. North American River Otters (Lontra canadensis) are members of the weasel family.They are a semi-aquatic mammal. 1 (2014): 502-517. The North American river otter is a species of otter in the family Mustelidae. Species: Neotropical, North American River Otter and Sea Otter. Unregulated over-trapping for fur and meat. The North American River Otter is very streamlined, having a muscular body with short legs, webbed toes and a long muscular tail. As top predators, they consume many other animals, from insects and crayfish to rodents and birds. They are a top predator and their presence also reflects the health of the ecosystem around them. Photograph by Michael Quinton / Minden Pictures This lists the logos of programs or partners of NG Education which have provided or contributed the content on this page. PIERRE, S.D. Hand in paw with otters. They grow to one meter (3 to 4 ft) in length and weigh from five to 15 kilograms (10 to 30 lb). 3. This species does not hibernate and remains active under frozen water by breathing through breaks in the ice. The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) became one of the major animals hunted and trapped for fur in North America after European contact. There are 13 extant species of otter around the world, one of which is native to the UK. Yes. North American River Otters. The North American River Otter is considered to be Least Concern as it is not currently declining at a rate sufficient for a threat category. All otters are declining due to habitat loss. Other nonscientific names include Nearctic River Otter, Northern River Otter, Canadian Otter, Land Otter, and Fish Otter. As an indicator species, their presence illustrates a healthy ecosystem. River Otter (Lutra canadensis) Description The otter is the largest member of the weasel family (Mustelidae) found in South Carolina. According to the mammal species of the world scientific publication, this family is made up by three subfamilies with 22 genera and has 57 living species. Despite its common name, the North American river otter is equally comfortable in either coastal marine or freshwater habitats. An adult North American river otter can weigh between 5.0 and 14 kg (11.0 and 30.9 lb). The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) is a semiaquatic mammal in the weasel family.While it may simply be called the "river otter" in North America (to distinguish it from the sea otter) there are other river otter species throughout the world. Mexico. This animal’s lovely waterproof pelt, which allows it to regulate its temperature, in the 1700s-1800s, a regular part of French fur trade, has meant this animal has been hunted for hundreds of years. Baby otters are called cubs, pups or kits. By sharing research and knowledge, participating institutions work together to establish guidelines that best ensure the health of captive populations, and with success, the survival of otherwise extinct species. North American river otters (Lontra canadensis) are an important part of the watershed ecosystem! They have delayed implantation of the embryo in the uterus which makes the gestation period appear very long, ranging from 9-12 months; this delayed implantation is rare in otters although it is common in the mustelid family as a whole. In the 1800s, otters swam in waterways across North America until fur-trappers hunting for pelts nearly obliterated the species. The river otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur. This species reportedly has 28 common names in North America. By the 1950s its numbers were greatly reduced due to trapping and pollution, but after a long campaign to clean the waterways, trapping management and reintroductions in states in which it no longer occurred, this species now thrives throughout the USA and Canada. Almonte, C. “Classification of Captive North American River Otters (Lontra canadensis) Vocal Repertoires: Individual Variations, and Age Class Comparisons.” Animal Behavior and Cognition. 2. River otter populations declined significantly throughout the late 1800s due to over-harvesting and water pollution. An adult North American river otter can weigh between 5.0 and 14 kg (11.0 and 30.9 lb). What caused the decline of river otter populations in the early 1900s? Find river otters, and you will find healthy streams and rivers. In turn, so does the number of otters. Does the otter ever seem to just have fun? Like other otter species, the North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) has a long, sinuous, streamlined body, highly modified for aquatic life.The limbs are short and powerful, the clawed paws are fully-webbed, and the flattish head terminates in a broad muzzle equipped with numerous sensitive whickers used for detecting prey underwater. 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. Adults were river otters ≥ 2 years old and subadults were river otters < 2 years old. Fun Facts. It makes its home in a burrow near the water's edge, and can thrive in river, lake, swamp, or estuary ecosystems. They are the least aquatic of all the otters. River Otters Playing; Sources. The American Beaver (Castor canadensis) is one example of a keystone species in North America. Even with the risk of predation from larger species such as the American alligator, bobcats and coyotes, the greatest threat to river otters are from humans and include habitat destruction, fragmentation and pollution. 12 important examples of keystone species. Otters are carnivorous mustelids in the Lutrinae subfamily. Keystone species often dominate the attention of ecologists and policy-makers, who develop specific strategies for their protection, while media repeatedly report on their conservation status. DNA work by Koepfli & Wayne (1998 & 2003) indicated that the Asian small-clawed otter is a sister species to the African clawless and Congo clawless otters. American River Otter Wildlife Profiles—North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Q&A 1. By the early 1900s, river otters had declined throughout large portions of their historic range in North America. Neotropical Otter occurs in all major rivers along the east of the country and patchy areas along the northern coast. NARRATOR: As spring begins, snow and ice melt into flowing streams. River otters eat a variety of fish and shellfish, as well as small land mammals and birds. Worldwide, there are 13 species of otters that can be found on every continent except Australia and Antarctica. 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. The body of the river otter measures between 65 cm to 105 cm (25 to 41 inches) in length and the tail measures 32 to 45 cm (12 to 17 inches) in length. (KELO) — North American river otters won’t be on South Dakota’s list of threatened species any longer, the state Game, Fish and Parks Commission decided Thursday. Boomer came to CMA to be a social partner for Walle, a rescued and non-releasable otter, who was residing by himself at that time. The otter has a long cylindrical body with a powerful tail, making it ideal for life in the water. River otters can hold their breath underwater for up to 5 minutes. North American river otters are the only river otter that is found north of Mexico. Adult otters measure 35 to 55 inches in length, about one-third of which is tail. The North American river otter is a member of the mustelid or weasel family that can be easily identified by a stout body, short legs, noticeably tapered tail and dense, short, glossy fur. River otters are able to hold their breath underwater for up to eight minutes. Last, but not least, North American river otters are considered a keystone species, which means other species in the same habitat largely depend on the existence of river otters. This dataset represents a species known range extent for North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis) within the conterminous United States (CONUS) based on 2001 ground conditions. The North American river otter is a large otter whose story is a success. Summary 6 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.An adult river otter can weigh between 5.0 and 14 kg (11.0 and 31 lb). The river otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur. Species: Neotropical Otter. The playful North American river otter is equally at home in the water and on land. A new study from North Carolina State University detected evidence of otter diseases that may be spread by pets. Boomer, a North American river otter, was born in January 2018 and was transferred to CMA on October 15, 2018, from another animal care facility. As the health of a stream, river or the Bay changes, so does the amount of the otters’ prey. Legal protection: No formal protection. This range map was created by attributing sub-watershed polygons with information of a species' presence, origin, seasonal and reproductive use. The river otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur. See Gap Analysis Project Species Range Maps for more … Its fur ranges in color from white and gray to brown and black. The playful river otter, common in lakes and streams throughout the United States and Canada, enjoys its new freedom. 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