[34] A 1994 river otter study reported findings of beaver remains in 27 of 1,191 scats analyzed. 351 pp. As of 2016, >4,000 river otters have been translocated to 23 states in one of the most ambitious and extensive carnivore restoration efforts in history (Erb et al. The continued expansion of river otter populations where they are managed by regulated harvest is likely enhanced by the frequency of these regulatory reviews. Uniting all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in a rapidly changing world, Inspire a lifelong connection with wildlife and wild places through our children's publications, products, and activities, National Wildlife Federation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Where an otter looks seal-like, a mink looks ferret-like, however. (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA). North American river otters can close their nostrils to keep water out during long dives. Likewise, the potential predatory impact of otters may be considerable whenever fish are physically confined (most commonly in smaller ponds offering sparse cover or other escape options). [36] A study conducted on captive otters revealed they preferred larger fish, ranging from 15 to 17 centimeters (5.9 to 6.7in), more than smaller fish, ranging from 8 to 10 centimeters (3.1 to 3.9in), and they had difficulty catching fish species less than 10 centimeters (3.9in) or larger than 17 centimeters (6.7in). Its body length ranges from 66 to 107 centimetres (26 to 42in). Their thick fur helps to protect their skin from the water and allows them to withstand cold weather. Note: Above species may only be taken by TRAPPING ONLY. [20], The mothers raise their young without aid from adult males. They are fast, agile swimmers and able to out-maneuver their prey. Their gestational period can last anywhere from two months to one year, as otters are capable of delayed implantation. [29] For instance, Catostomidae are the primary dietary component of North American river otters in Colorado's Upper Colorado River Basin. [26][33], Amphibians and reptiles are more obtainable by the North American river otter during the spring and summer as a result of breeding activity, appropriate temperatures, and water supply for the prey. Late seasonal breeding of river ot- ters in Yellowstone National Park. Catch-per-unit effort, population models, and presence vs. absence indices, such as bowhunter surveys and track surveys, were used less frequently (Table 1). Harvest regulations are reviewed frequently by most states that allow harvest (Table 1). They can stay underwater for as many as eight minutes. (c) 2013 California Academy of Sciences, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA). Their legs are short with webbed feet and claws. Most states used multiple methods to monitor river otter populations including harvest-based surveys, presenceabsence surveys, and empirically derived population model predictions; harvest-based surveys were the most commonly used monitoring approach. The North American river otters are carnivores, they eat mainly aquatic animals such as amphibians, turtles, fish, crayfish, crabs, and other species of invertebrates. Reproduction: Once yearly with an average litter of 2-3 and up to 6. Historically, the Cahaba was home to 48 different native freshwater mussel . Wild Furbearer Management and Conservation in North America. The dens have entrances underwater so they can be easily accessed from the water. Reintroduction projects have been particularly valuable in restoring populations in many areas of the United States. (c) Wikimedia Commons, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA). North America's largest North American river otter populations were found in areas with an abundance and diversity of aquatic habitats, such as coastal marshes, the Great Lakes region, and glaciated areas of New England. Trapping, loss or degradation of aquatic habitats through filling of wetlands, and development of coal, oil, gas, tanning, timber, and other industries, resulted in local extinctions or population declines in North American river otter populations in many areas. [26] Other fish an integral part of the North American river otters' diets are those that are often plentiful and found in large schools: sunfish (Lepomis spp. Life expectancy is less than 10 years in the wild. In the absence of harvest-dependent data, presenceabsence data (such as track surveys), can indicate population distribution and trajectories (Roberts et al. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 10 June 2020; 11 (1): 279286. A long, strong tail helps propels the otter through the water. Predators: Include the bobcat, coyote and birds of . At about two months they begin to venture out of the den to play and to learn how to swim and hunt. The den typically has many tunnel openings, one of which generally allows the otter to enter and exit the body of water. This dilemma prevents, and consequently inhibits, recolonization or growth of North American river otter populations. [31][33], Mammals are rarely consumed by North American river otters, and are not a major dietary component. As of 2016, 23 states had conducted river otter reintroductions. In some regions, though, their population is controlled to allow the trapping and harvesting of otters for their fur. Other species of otters live on every continent except Australia and Antarctica. Their ears are small and almost inconspicuous. [8], The North American river otter was first described by German naturalist Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber in 1777. Poorly known. Because they are almost always very close to a body of water, if they hear a human they can jump into the water quickly and make a fast getaway. This reach of the Alabama River is located within a 30-minute drive of hotels, restaurants, service stations, and grocery stores in Monroeville, Grove Hill, and Jackson. Behind-the-Scenes Encounters & Experiences, Passion into Conservation Action (PiCA) Program, Participation in the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International. 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. To compare estimates of occupied area in 1998 with our survey results, we digitized published maps depicting river otter distribution during 1998 (Melquist et al. Responses for population trends included increasing, stable, or decreasing (although we did not specify the timeframe). [56] Trappers in Alberta, Canada commonly assert North American river otters are major predators of North American beavers. [2008], and Roberts [2010]). Scientific studies have shown them to be sensitive to pollution. Habitat They live in still or slow moving fresh water rivers, lakes and creeks. [20] About one-third of the animal's total length consists of a long, tapered tail. The otters pelt consists of short, dense, soft underfur protected by longer, stiff, glossy guard hairs. They can drink while under water due to a special valve in their nose. In the past, their soft and attractive fur could be sold for a decent amount of money. We asked each agency expert to report 1) the legal status of river otters in their state, 2) the statewide river otter population trend, 3) the results of reintroduction efforts (if applicable), 4) the population status of river otters since reintroduction efforts, 5) the method(s) of river otter population monitoring, 6) how frequently adjustments are made to harvest regulations (if applicable), 7) and the geographic distribution of river otters in their state. 2003) indicated that changes in river otter distribution occurred primarily in the contiguous United States and that river otters had expanded their range by approximately 13.7% during an 18-y period (Table 2). A Wisconsin zoo recently welcomed some adorable new additions to its family: three baby North American river otters. River otters were reported to be ubiquitous throughout Alaska south of the Brooks Range (Alaska Department of Fish and Game, personal communication). Therefore, fish are more vulnerable to being preyed upon by otters because the crayfish have become more difficult to obtain. TheNorth Americanriver otter (Lutra canadensis) is a member of the weasel family. They are born blind and remain in the den to nurse for the first month. Only four statesNevada, Rhode Island, Utah, and Wyomingdid not report any monitoring efforts. It establishes a burrow close to the water's edge in river, lake, swamp, coastal shoreline, tidal flat, or estuary ecosystems. Although methodologies and sampling scales differed from the approach used in our assessment, comparisons of land areas occupied during each period provided a coarse-scale basis for estimates of population expansion or retraction during an 18-y period. Females are approximately one-third smaller than males. Similarly, many perceived threats to North American river otters, such as pollution and habitat alterations, have not been rigorously evaluated. National Audubon Society. 2003), excluding Alaska. If you are one of the Found at DOI: https://doi.org/10.3996/102018-JFWM-093.S1 (599 KB PDF). (2003) suggested that in 1998, as a result of wetland conservation and restoration efforts, river otters had expanded and inhabited approximately 90% of their former range. They use their sensitive whiskers which help them locate prey and catch their prey with their mouth, using their paws to hold on to the prey if needed. Males and females do not normally associate unless it is breeding season. Smithsonian Institution Press. The otters eyes contain a specialized lens to assist with underwater viewing. ), daces (Rhinichthys spp. Although state wildlife-management agencies use a variety of techniques to monitor changes in river otter population size and distribution, regulated harvest-management programs provide the foundation for the much of the population monitoring that occurs. Although the distribution became reduced in some regions of southern Canada, the only province-wide extinction occurred on Prince Edward Island. 2018). [29] In Georgia, crayfish accounted for two-thirds of the prey in the summer diet, and their remnants were present in 98% of the summer spraint. ); Cyprinidae, made up of carp (Cyprinus spp. Critter Control near me [33], Although they consume birds, North American river otters do not feed on bird eggs. River otter fur ranges from light to dark, rich brown. Chanticleer Press, Inc. 937 pp. Weight: 11-30 lbs. As such, careful consideration of any threatened, endangered, or fish species of special interest is warranted prior to reintroduction of otters to a watershed. editors of this guide it should copy everything, but if you're not, it Wilson, D. E. and S. Ruff. Otters have five toes and the heel pad tends to be somewhat horseshoe shaped. Official Web Site of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, 2023 Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, 64 N. Union Street, Suite 468 - Montgomery, Alabama 36130, Physically Disabled Hunting and Fishing Trail, https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=467475161060988&ev=PageView&noscript=1. They were extirpated from portions of their range, but conservation and reintroduction efforts are helping populations to recover. Similarly, it is possible that false-negatives occurred, particularly at lower population densities. These analyses suggest they diverged in the Miocene epoch 23.03 to 5.33million years ago (Mya), which is "much earlier" than indicated in the fossil record. As populations have expanded, river otter reintroduction efforts have become less frequent; two additional states had conducted reintroductions since 1998 and only one state had conducted a reintroduction since 2010. They also scent mark using scent glands near the base of their tails that produce a strong, musky odor. Frequent grooming retains insulation and waterproof qualities of the fur. Field Guide to Mammals, North America. However habitat destruction and water pollution still puts these animals at great risk, especially because they are so specialized. Water pollution and other diminution of aquatic and wetland habitats may limit distribution and pose long-term threats if the enforcement of water quality standards is not upheld. Table S1. [33] Every study done on the food habits of the North American river otter has identified varying fish species as being the primary component of its diet. We found that river otters have expanded their range significantly in the contiguous United States since the last assessment in 1998 (Melquist et al. Read on to learn about the otter. Crustaceans may even be consumed more than fish. [46] In late 2012, a river otter nicknamed Sutro Sam took up residence around the former site of the Sutro Baths in San Francisco, the first river otter sighting in that city in more than half a century. [45] In 2010, the Colorado Department of Wildlife reported the species, reintroduced in the 1980s, was "thriving" and recommended its protection status be reconsidered. Are otters endangered in Alabama? [1] The North American river otter existed on all parts of the Pacific Coast, including the seashore and inland streams and lakes. Melquist et al. Otters are very secretive and shy and would rather run away than attack. River otters can be found swimming all over in the state's creeks, lakes and ponds. River otters have a high dispersal capacity and are capable of extensive long-distance movements over land, including mountainous terrain and across watersheds (Magoun and Valkenburg 1977, Melquist and Hornocker 1983). [33] Crustaceans (crayfish), where regionally available, are the second-most important prey for otters. Diet: Primarily consumes fish, mollusks and other invertebrates. [26][32][33] Bottom-dwelling species, which have the tendency to remain immobile until a predator is very close, are susceptible to North American river otters. [36], North American river otters may prefer to feed on crustaceans, especially crayfish (Cambarus, Pacifasticus, and others) and crabs[52] more than fish where they are locally and seasonally plentiful. (c) Smithsonian Institution, some rights reserved (CC BY). [23], Like other otters, the North American river otter lives in a holt, or den, constructed in the burrows of other animals, or in natural hollows, such as under a log or in river banks. [16], Males and female river otters show different non-sexual physical characteristics,[23] with males typically being larger. Nora Bowers, Rick Bowen, and Kenn Kaufman. Two states (Connecticut and Tennessee) reported that regulations are reviewed every 4 to 5 years. South Carolina and Texas reported that harvest regulations are never reviewed. Litter size ranges anywhere from one to five pups. [1], Oil spills present a localized threat to otter populations, especially in coastal areas. By the early 1900s river otters had been completely extirpated from 11 states and had experienced severe population declines in 9 other states (Deems and Pursley 1978). [51], Adult North American river otters are capable of consuming 1 to 1.5 kilograms (2.2 to 3.3lb) of fish per day. [30] However, river otters will prey on trout, pike, walleye (Sander vitreus vitreus), salmon (Oncorhynchus spp. The river otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur. The river otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur. Their legs are short with webbed feet and claws. River otters are rambunctious, aquatic, streamlined mammals that spend much of their time in the water. Agency-enforced regulations include restrictions on harvest, harvest season length, harvest methods, and bag limits. [28] Otters are known to take larger fish on land to eat, whereas smaller fish are consumed in the water. Prior to the arrival of the next litter, the North American river otter yearlings venture out in search of their own home ranges.[44]. 2003). North American river otters were hunted and trapped extensively for their fur in the 19th and 20th centuries, and are still hunted in some places. [53] A study conducted on North American river otters in a southwestern Arkansas swamp identified a correlation between crayfish consumption, fish consumption, and water levels. 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