Range and habitat. They will cover the area in their feces, urine, and musk to warn others away. They prefer to live in marshes and along wooded rivers and streams with pools and overhanging rocky banks. This group of animals is notorious for being adorable, but they are so much more than looks! Their underbody is usually lighter in colour. They have long bodies, and long whiskers that are used to detect prey in dark waters. The species of otter that occurs in Ireland is called the Eurasian otter and is found in Europe and across Asia to China and Japan. Otters are found on every single continent in the world except for Australia and Antarctica. River otters as a whole look quite similar to weasels. The only types of ecosystems in which otters cannot be found are deserts, mountains, and polar regions. They can also reach 25 years of age in captivity. Otter Dens. Most river otters are opportunistic, feeding on … They will feed on fish, invertebrates, frogs, clams, crayfish, and small mammals or birds. River otters are aquatic mammals but they do travel across land as well. However, through conservation management and reintroduction efforts, populations have recuperated and are now considered stable. All are cousins of badgers, weasels, minks, ferrets, wolverines, and polecats. In some areas, otters are prized companions and partners, rather than walking pelts. Female otters give birth to between one and six pups. Do you know how else river otters … This can include rivers, canals, lakes and wetland areas. Otters thrive on land and in the water. They enjoy the freshwater but they are also known to live in the saltwater of the oceans as well. In winter, when an otter's den or nest freezes over, the otter will look for a new river to live in. In Canada, they can be found in every province and territory except Prince Edward Island, where they appear to be extirpated. In water, especially along the Gulf Coast, crocodilian reptiles are real threats. At a year old, the young otters can survive on their own, and often venture off to make their own families. They sometimes live along the coast, but they still require fresh water nearby. Otter species can be found across Eurasia, Africa, India, Japan, Indonesia, North America, South America, and Central America. River otters need healthy aquatic habits to survive. River otters can be found throughout North America. 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. Otters around the world have faced centuries of decline due to hunting, trapping, and habitat loss. Most otter species are social, living in groups consisting of a mother and her various generations of pups. Other places you will find them lingering include around rivers, streams, and lakes. These hydrodynamic members of the weasel family are voracious predators. They are able to live in a variety of different habitats, including rivers, lakes and large creeks. In California, its north-south range is from San Mateo County to the Santa Barbara. In the central basin, they are apparently limited to large rivers, such as the Columbia, Yakima, and Walla Walla. Known for their playfulness, otters are found all over the world including the UK. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. Because these critters are secretive and shy animals they were commonly captured using traps or hunting dogs. About one-third of the animal's total length consists of a long, t… The range of the California (or southern) sea otter extends from California to Mexico. Females aren't nearly as mobile. [8] Form and function. This allows them to feed even in murky waters. Any animal with teeth can bite, but otters are particularly “munchy,” and should not be handled in any way. Some even wonder if otters build dams like beavers. River otters live in clean rivers, lakes, and marshes—wherever they … Japanese culture tells a number of tales involving otters, many of them involving shape shifting. Read on to learn about the otter. The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) continues to protect habitat across Canada where river otters live. Their home ranges are only 3 to 10 miles depending on habitat quality and the time of year. Hello world! This species does not hibernate and remains active under frozen water by breathing through breaks in the ice. River otters breed between late winter and early spring. The fishermen in Bangladesh have bred and raised smooth-coated otters for generations. River otters use their scent to mark their territorial boundaries. Terrestrial predators of otters include black bears and a variety of Feline and Canine species, domestic… By land and by sea. Published by at December 9, 2020 Otters have frequently been seen making slides in the riverbank, and zipping along them. Adult males live along large stretches of river, often up to 40 to 50 miles. Although otters do not build them, they will sometimes use abandoned dams. But our local species is on the rebound. The sea otter, however, rarely comes ashore, according to the San Diego Zoo. Sea otter – This species lives on the Pacific coast of the North American continent. In South America, the otter-record holder lives in length and weight among representatives of the subfamily – the giant, or the Brazilian otter. These have hidden, underwater entrances for protection from predators, which makes them attractive to otters. Otters are great hunters, partially because they have sharp little teeth and a strong jaw! [8] However, they normally live about 8 to 9 years in the wild, [14] but are capable of living up to 13 years of age. Scent Communication. Its body length ranges from 66 to 107 centimetres (26 to 42 in). There are 13 different species of otters living around the world. Where do otters live? Otters are not kept as pets because they need special conditions to live a healthy life, but there are many otters that live in captivity (in research centers, zoos etc. Most otters live in dens — built by other animals, such as beavers — that are dug into the ground that have many channels and dry inner chambers. However, between the 1950s and 1970s, their numbers significantly dropped, prompting conservationists to sound the alarm bells for one of UK’s beloved animals. In local areas its presence will depend on the provision of suitable aquatic habitats, sufficient food and cover fo… This playful mammal is making a splash across Canada. River otters do however; do what they need to keep other animals out of their territory. They can thrive in any water habitat, such as ponds, marshes, lakes, rivers, and estuaries—in cold, warm, or even high-elevation areas—as long as the habitat provides adequate food. In Ireland the otter population is geographically widely spread. The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), also known as the European otter, Eurasian river otter, common otter, and Old World otter, is a semiaquatic mammal native to Eurasia. This may sound disturbing, but is successful. Basically, they can be found anywhere they have easy access to both land and water. After two months, the female otter teaches the full-sighted pups how to swim. The Alaskan (or northern) sea otter inhabits northwest part of the United States. Cubs will stay with and remain dependent upon their parents for over a year. River otters live alone or in pairs. Their favourite habitats include wetlands, rivers and coastlines. It occurs between southeastern Alaska and British Columbia. It lives only in the rivers and creeks of the Amazon, Orinoco, and La Plata river systems. They live in holes in river banks called holts; a holt will have a few different entrances to protect against flooding, with at least one entrance being above water level. The ones in this story are North American river otters. Otters seek clean rivers, filled with food and overgrown banks where they can raise their cubs. Please do not trap live otters and then drown them, as it is considered illegal in many states and is a painful way for any animal to die, which can last anywhere up to eight minutes. All photos used are royalty-free, and credits are included in the Alt tag of each image. The most widely distributed member of the otter subfamily (Lutrinae) of the weasel family (Mustelidae), it is found in the waterways and coasts of Europe, many parts of Asia, and parts of northern Africa. After a few bumps, they can slide up to 22 feet on the ice. Otters are found almost all over the world and in many wet habitats, such freshwater rivers, lakes, oceans, coastlines and marshes. Located in the Rocky Mountain Trench, this area features extensive wetlands that are perfect for river otters. Otters seem to be used as a symbol for tricksters, similar to the use of foxes in other folklore. When they are around one month old the pups begin to explore their den, and at two months old they learn to swim. This South American otter is the world's largest, at some 6 feet long. They are intelligent creatures that require lots of enrichment and positive reinforcement-based training to keep them happy and healthy. Prior to the 1950s, these fish-devouring mammals were abundant in England. They live in a den by the edge of a lake, stream, or marsh. As with their habitats, it is also easier to list locations you cannot find otters. River otters can measure up to 1.4 metres in length from nose to tail, and weigh up to almost nine kilograms. North American river otters live an average of 21 years of age in captivity, [14] but they can reach 25 years of age. They live in riparian zones, often in the same areas as beavers. Otters are found almost all over the world and in many wet habitats, such freshwater rivers, lakes, oceans, coastlines and marshes. River otters are able to hold their breath underwater for up to eight minutes. Sea otters are found in two areas: The Pacific coasts of Russia and Alaska, and along the central California coast. European otter – As the name suggests this species is found in Europe and extends across parts of Asia and North Africa. July 6, 2018. Where do otters live? In other regions the otter shares aquatic habitats with species specialised to different habitats such as sea otters, but in Ireland the otters that live at the coast and those that occupy our rivers are the same species. Where do otters live? Photo by Andrea Westmoreland. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. Most otters live in dens — built by other animals, such as beavers — that are dug into the ground that have many channels and dry inner chambers. You can commonly find them living in beaver dams. The only continents without otters are Australia and Antarctica. They spend much of their time playing with one another and building social bonds. Otter species can be found across Eurasia, Africa, India, Japan, Indonesia, North America, South America, and Central America. In warmer times, you may also see otters sliding down a riverbank. They are trained to chase fish into the fisherman’s nets, and are rewarded with part of the catch and a safe home. This makes them poor pets. The Potomac River is home to one of the most adorable aquatic animals- the river otter. Though still considered rare, the species is widespread in the UK and can be seen in almost every county. Be advised that any attempt to poison an otter is considered illegal, and would cause complications anyway once the bait has been consumed. One fun fact is that River Otters don’t dig their own dens, they either use a natural hollow or burrow made by another animal. 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. Whether it’s a lake, river, swamp or estuary, otters like a mix of land and water. An average adult male weighs about 11.3 kilograms (25 lb) against the female's average of 8.3 kilograms (18 lb). The North American river otters can live for up to 21-25 years in captivity. The most famous and common otter is the European, or ordinary river otter, inhabits North Africa, Europe (besides Switzerland and the Netherlands) also Asia, not meeting only on the Arabian Peninsula. Their aquatic habitats can be both marine and fresh water: streams, rivers, lakes, ponds and marshes. Otters are expert swimmers and divers and unlike beavers or muskrats, the otter only makes a small ripple when swimming. 0. Otters live in water, in dens or nests. The pups are born blind and spend the first month of their lives in their dens with the female. All otters have webbed feet to help propel them through the water, and most species have sharp claws. North American River otters may be commonly found throughout much of sub-Arctic Canada, Alaska, and, within the contiguous United States, in the Pacific Northwest and along the Atlantic Coast and Gulf of Mexico. Their tiny ears close under water, and their thick fur helps keep them warm in cold water. One example is NCC’s Cherry Meadows property, near Kimberly, British Columbia. While North American River otters are rather high up on the food chain, they do in fact have several natural predators. © 2020 Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) | ™ Trademarks owned by The Nature Conservancy of Canada. River otters eat virtually anything that you can find near lakes or streams. The males will often form bachelor groups, and separate from their mothers. Most species of otters are born in a den of some kind, either a tunnel or abandoned beaver dam. They have brown, water-repellent fur, webbed feet and long tails. Humans have hunted otters for centuries. North American river otter – This species is found throughout much of Canada and parts of the United States. They have scent glands at the base of their tail, and they deposit their musky scent on their dung, which is called spraint. They are said to play pranks on people when they shape shift, often involving the otter turning into a beautiful woman. River otters can be found throughout North America. It is much easier to list the habitats that river otters don’t live in than to list the areas they do. River otters thrive outside of water too, and can sometimes be seen playing in snow or sliding down muddy hills. River otters have many interesting qualities and … North American River Otter The playful North American river otter is equally at home in the water and on land. River otter populations declined significantly throughout the late 1800s due to over-harvesting and water pollution. Otters are wonderfully skilled predators, who display a number of interesting behaviors and traits. Long whiskers help them find fish, clams, insects and other aquatic animals. The 11 species often referred to as river otters are found throughout North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia in freshwater ecosystems that sustain an abundance of prey such as fish, crayfish, crabs, mussels, and frogs. The mother (and sometimes the father as well) will care for the pups. 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