River Otter

HABITAT:

​The river otter lives at the edge of streams, rivers, lakes and swamps as well as brackish water. They make their den amongst the roots of large trees, under fallen trees, beneath rock ledges, in hollow logs and in thickets. Otters have been known to use abandoned beaver lodges, muskrat dens (enlarged) or woodchuck burrows.

BEHAVIOR:

​The river otter is mostly nocturnal. It is well known for its slides that go into streams. These slides can be up to 25 feet long in the winter. To keep the loft in the fur the otter will roll in the snow. This helps to keep them warm. Otters have very dense fur with 500 hairs per square inch. The guard hairs (the long ones on top) are dense and oily which keeps the otter warm and dry in cold water.

In the water the otter will mostly paddle with its hind feet and swim by twisting and turning its whole body. They seem to enjoy tumbling, wrestling and chasing each other. Otters do not know how to swim when they are born but are taught by their mother.

It is not unusual to see an otter traveling over land to find better fishing areas.

FOOD:

​They eat fish, frogs, crayfish, turtles, salamanders, snails and rodents.

PREDATORS:

Their main predator is people. Other predators include coyotes, lynx, bobcat, Great Horned Owl (mostly predators of the kits).