# North American River Otter (*Lontra canadensis*) River otters are playful mammals that live near water. They are excellent swimmers and catch fish for food. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Snaps:** 63 - **Habitat:** Rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - **Also known as:** River Otter ![North American River Otter](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426954/objects/4378.jpg) ## Appearance The North American River Otter has a sleek, streamlined body covered in dense, dark brown fur, which is lighter on its belly. It features a long, muscular, tapering tail and short legs with webbed feet, making it distinct from bulkier beavers. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Carnivora - **Family:** Mustelidae - **Genus:** Lontra ## Interesting facts - A group of otters is playfully known as a "romp," "raft," or even a "bevy"! - North American River Otters can completely close their nostrils and ears when they dive underwater! - Otter dens, often abandoned beaver lodges, are called "holts" where they raise their pups! - Their unique musky scent markings, called "spraint," can surprisingly smell like violets! ## Special abilities - **Grip and Grasp:** North American River Otters can expertly catch slippery fish with their strong paws and sharp claws because they are adapted for aquatic hunting. - **Evasive Navigator:** North American River Otters can quickly dart and weave through underwater obstacles because of their flexible spine and powerful tail. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 66-130 cm - **Weight:** 5-14 kg - **Lifespan:** 8-9 years - **Speed:** 29 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-5 - **Gestation:** 60-63 days ## Diet & Feeding These playful hunters feast on slippery fish, tasty crustaceans, and sometimes even small frogs! - **Age differences:** Young pups start with milk, then learn to hunt fish and other small aquatic prey. - **Primary Foods:** Fish, Crayfish, Frogs, Salamanders - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Brown Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*) — Otters are skilled at catching these swift fish. - **Eats:** Red Swamp Crayfish (*Procambarus clarkii*) — An important food source, especially in some habitats. - **Eaten by:** [Coyote](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coyote) (*Canis latrans*) — Opportunistic predator, especially young or vulnerable otters. - **Eaten by:** [Bald Eagle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bald-eagle) (*Haliaeetus leucocephalus*) — May prey on pups or sick otters near the water. - **Depends on:** [American Beaver](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-beaver) (*Castor canadensis*) — Otters often use abandoned beaver lodges as dens. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Whiskered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/whiskered): Possessing prominent sensory hairs or vibrissae, often around the snout. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate Otters can bite if cornered — watch from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify North American River Otter? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is North American River Otter? 66-130 cm ### How much does North American River Otter weigh? 5-14 kg ### How long does North American River Otter live? 8-9 years ### How fast can North American River Otter move? 29 km/h ### What does North American River Otter eat? These playful hunters feast on slippery fish, tasty crustaceans, and sometimes even small frogs! ### Where is North American River Otter usually found? Rivers, lakes, and wetlands. ### How does North American River Otter hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Algonquin Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/algonquin-provincial-park) — Ontario, CA · State Park - [Devil's Kitchen](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/devils-kitchen) — Michigan, US · Nature Reserve - [East Greenwich Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/east-greenwich-historic-district) — Rhode Island, US · Historic District - [Forge Road Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/forge-road-historic-district) — Rhode Island, US · Historic District - [Akron Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/akron-zoo) — Ohio, US · Zoo - [Alaska Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alaska-zoo) — Alaska, US · Zoo [View all places to see North American River Otter](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/north-american-river-otter) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [North American River Otter: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/north-american-river-otter)