WoRMS taxon details
basis of record
Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (1993). Mammal species of the world. <em>Smithsonian Institution Press.</em> , available online at http://vertebrates.si.edu/mammals/msw/ [details]
additional source
Linkletter, L. E. (1977). A checklist of marine fauna and flora of the Bay of Fundy. <em>Huntsman Marine Laboratory, St. Andrews, N.B.</em> 68: p. [details]
additional source
Animal Diversity Web. <em>University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.</em> , available online at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/index.html [details]
ecology source
Looby, A.; Erbe, C.; Bravo, S.; Cox, K.; Davies, H. L.; Di Iorio, L.; Jézéquel, Y.; Juanes, F.; Martin, C. W.; Mooney, T. A.; Radford, C.; Reynolds, L. K.; Rice, A. N.; Riera, A.; Rountree, R.; Spriel, B.; Stanley, J.; Vela, S.; Parsons, M. J. G. (2023). Global inventory of species categorized by known underwater sonifery. <em>Scientific Data.</em> 10(1). (look up in IMIS), available online at https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-023-02745-4 [details]
From other sources
Diet Amphibians, fish, crayfish, and other invertebrates. Birds and small terrestrial mammals are also eaten on occation. [details]
Dimensions Length: 66-107 cm (tail length is 32-46 cm); Weight: 3-14 kg [details]
Distribution North America (Alaska west across northern Canada and the US to Nova Scotia) [details]
Habitat Riparian zones, usually no more than a few hundred meters from water unless they are moving between rivers or lakes. River otters can tolerate a variety of environments including very cold and hot areas, high elevations, and coastal waters (rarely). [details]
Importance Hunted for many years for their attractive and durable fur. River otters also eat "trash fish" that compete with more economically beneficial game fish. [details]
Morphology Distinguishing characteristics: long streamlined animals with a thick tapered tail and short legs, wide, rounded head, small ears, and nostrils that can be closed underwater. long thick whiskers. they are dark brown to black above a ligther color ventrally. throat and cheeks are usually a golden. The feet have claws and are completely webbed. [details]
Predators None [details]
Reproduction Breeding: March to April. They have one to 5 young born 10-12 months later (delayed implantation of the fertilized egg in the uterus). Young are weaned 3-4 months and leave parents after a year. Sexual maturity is reached at 2-3 years of age. [details]
Language | Name | |
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English |
river otterNorth American river otter |
[details] |
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