2021年4月12日 · Conservation efforts have greatly benefited species like beavers and river otters, so you have a great chance of seeing these in many parts of the United States and Canada. Hopefully, this guide will help you identify North America’s common freshwater mammals. A muskrat feeding in Colorado.

2021年4月22日 · River otters are amazing swimmers. They can stay underwater for almost eight minutes and swim at a rate of nearly seven miles per hour. In a single dive, a river otter can travel as deep as...

The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis), also known as the northern river otter and river otter, is a semiaquatic mammal that lives only on the North American continent throughout most of Canada, along the coasts of the United States and its inland waterways.

River otters are sometimes mistaken for their much larger seagoing cousin, the sea otter. However, sea otters are acclimated to salt water, and come to shore only for occasional rest periods and to give birth. In comparison, river otters can be found in fresh, brackish, or salt water, and can travel overland for considerable distances.

Otters thrive on land and in the water. Whether it’s a lake, river, swamp or estuary, otters like a mix of land and water. They can be found throughout North America and our National Forests.

One of the most energetic North American spe­cies, the river otter, Lutra canadensis, loves water and land equally. This playful, lively animal enjoys diving into water, sliding across mud and ice, and socializing with other otters.

In the water, river otters do not swim on their backs like sea otters. They can swim along with just their heads showing, they can dive and roll and they often stay underwater for up to 15 or 20 seconds. They also “periscope,” meaning raise their necks far out of the water to see farther.

River otters are rambunctious, aquatic, streamlined mammals that spend much of their time in the water. These hydrodynamic members of the weasel family are voracious predators. This article will refer to the twelve species of river otter, information about sea otters can be viewed here. Read on to learn about the otter.

North American river otters have long whiskers, which they use to detect prey in dark or cloudy water, and clawed feet for grasping onto slippery prey. They are very flexible and can make sharp, sudden turns that help them catch fish.

River otters are found all throughout North America, inhabiting inland waterways and coastal areas, but are now rarely found in Arizona, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, and West Virginia.