River Otter
Lontra canadensis
The North American River Otter is the only river otter found north of Mexico. Its luscious pelt, a staple of the French fur trade in the 1700-1800s, has drawn hunters for hundreds of years. The color of its fur ranges from grey and white to brown and black.
Length 3.7 ft (males); 3.2 ft (females)
Weight 11-30 lbs.
Lifespan Up to 14 years in the wild; 25 years in captivity
Diet
Staple Fish
Also known to eat whatever is easiest to find, like crustaceans, mollusks, insects, birds, oysters, shellfish, crabs, crayfish, frogs, rodents, turtles and aquatic invertebrates
Population
The population is unknown because the river otter is one of the hardest mammals to census but is estimated to be over 100,000 based on harvest reports.
Range
River otters can be found in streams, lakes, reservoirs, wetlands and along marine coasts in all states and territories of the U.S. and Canada. River otters are being reintroduced in the Rocky Mountain region to counter the population decrease in the 1800s.
Behavior
River otters live in all types of habitats. The only consistency with these habitats is accessible high quality water and an abundant food supply. A river otter will only settle in a location with sufficient coverage, usually vegetation or physical structures, such as rock piles.
River otters are very playful animals and can often be seen playing games. Social groups are typically made up of adult females and their pups. There are also groups of individual males. River otters are most active at night.
Mating Season December to April
Gestation 60-63 days following delayed implantation
Litter Size 2-3 pups
Defenders is actively working to restore otters to New Mexico by working with local and regional partners.
Threats
River otters are threatened mostly by habitat destruction. They have historically been hunted for their pelts. Today, there is no major threat from commercial harvesting, but local populations can be affected by illegal hunting. The otter’s aquatic habitats are being influenced by human contact. Water is depleted, water quality is lowered, timber and other cover is being cleared, vegetation is becoming scarce and more. Most of the problems are caused by water pollution.
Legal Status/Protection
The US Forest Service has declared them a Sensitive Species. There are laws protecting river otters in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Trapping is allowed in some states.
How You Can Help
- Help river otters and other wildlife by adopting a river otter today at our Wildlife Adoption Center.
- Take Action for Wildlife at our Wildlife Action Center.
For additional information
Visit Defenders' Imperiled Species: River Otter pages for more information about what Defenders is doing to help.
US Forest Service Report: North American River Otter: A technical conservation assessment
Alaska Department of Fish and Game River Otter Information
The Nature Conservancy’s River Otter Page
IUCN Otter Specialist Group North American River Otter Fact Sheet
