Although they were once a threatened species, the North American River Otter, or Lutra Canadensis, has largely recovered. According to Otternet.com, it is probably the most numerous Otter species in the world.
How to Recognize River Otters
These lively members of the weasel family, or Mustelids, are much larger than one might normally expect, growing to 3 1/2 feet long in the body and the tail up to another 1 1/2 feet long. When running on all four legs, their backs tend to hunch and they are approximately 3 feet high. Otters have a loping gait which, once seen in person, is unmistakable. Their fur is usually dark reddish-brown or black, velvety in texture and about 3/4 of an inch long. It appears much longer due to its thickness and tendency to gather in extended clumps when wet.
Their fur on their bellies is a lighter silvery-gray to brown, and their cheeks are sometimes yellow, although their cheeks are not completely distinguished from the rest of their fur. Their feet are webbed, have toes with long claws which are very strong, giving them the ability to grip things in similar fashion to a human.
Although otters are definitely curious, they are also near-sighted. This is an adaptation that actually allows them to see better underwater. For humans in boats, this is rather enjoyable because they have been known to come rather close to find out is going on, especially if fishing is involved. Every now and then, a fisherman has been known to become frustrated when his day's catch is stolen by an Otter!
L. Canadensis ' Habitat - Your Backyard Pond or Canal
Otters can be found in just about any freshwater area, and even some brackish water. They love to eat fish of all kinds, and your coveted Koi are just a good meal to them. Otters also love crayfish, mussels, shrimp, frogs, salamanders, snakes, turtles, and more. These furry animals will travel quite a bit, but they do tend to take the same paths frequently. Sometimes, land paths are so worn that they are easy for humans to follow on foot.
River Otters are most active at night, although they can occasionally be seen during the day. Adult males can cover as much as 40-50 miles per day, and often do. Females are not normally as active, frequenting 3-10 miles per day on average. They will often form communities, usually of an adult female and young, but sometimes will form bachelor pads as well.
River Otters: Road to Recovery
In the mid-1800s across America, the Otters' population started to decline, mostly due to trapping for their fur to keep people warm. By the 1930s, most states had banned the hunting of these animals, but this had little effect on their numbers because pollution was beginning to have its effect, as well. By the 1970s, many states were listing the Otter as an Endangered or Threatened Species. Due in large part to community clean up of pollution sites, laws regulating new pollution, the continued ban on hunting and the efforts of humans to conserve and repopulate their natural habitats, the North American River Otter is a species of growing numbers.
Mustelids: Animals of Value
These wonderful creatures have great historical significance to North Americans, from Canada to Mexico. In Florida, they are valuable to us in many ways, providing a natural control to overpopulation of fish, barriers to retain water during droughts with their dens, and, if you are blessed enough, seeing them play in the wild is one of the simplest and most beautiful joys of life.
The ICUN Redlist of Threatened Species
Tammy Bergen - Tammy Bergen is a Florida native, born in Fort Pierce and raised in West Palm Beach. She has the unique viewpoint of having been raised at ...
