river otter alabama

Nora Bowers, Rick Bowen, and Kenn Kaufman. giant river otter. Please note: The Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supplemental material. STATUS: In many places, the populations have re-established themselves because of conservation initiatives. They have also been known to eat aquatic plants and to prey on other small mammals, such as muskrats or rabbits. While current harvest strategies do not pose a threat to maintaining otter populations, harvest may limit expansion of otter populations in some areas. American Midland Naturalist 156: 189-192. Giant otters live in South America, throughout the Orinoco, Amazon and La Plata River systems (mostly in the northern half of South America). River otter fur ranges from light to dark, rich brown. [16] Each otter pup weighs approximately five ounces. Their aquatic habitats can be both marine and fresh water: streams, rivers, lakes, ponds and marshes. Although populations may continue to increase numerically, river otters may be approaching their potential geographic distribution in the United States. Otters can travel several miles over land to reach another body of water to set up new territories. The North American river otters are carnivores, they eat mainly aquatic animals such as amphibians, turtles, fish, crayfish, crabs, and other species of invertebrates. Only three states (Illinois, Kentucky, and North Dakota) did not provide a response to our question about regulation review frequency (Table 1). North Americanriver otters inhabit freshwater waterways such as rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, and swamps or marshes. We estimated that river otter range in the continental United States expanded by 10.2% during this period (Table 3). 2003). It can tolerate a great range of temperature and elevations. Other restoration efforts were conducted to bolster existing river otter populations and to expand otter distributions and provide connectivity within states that had existing, but not ubiquitous, river otter populations (Table 1). The river otter Lontra canadensis is an elusive species that can serve an important role in aquatic ecosystems as a top predator of fish and crayfish. October 29 - February 28. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. They prey most often on slower fish, such as catfish, carp and sculpins. Birmingham, AL 35223. [32] The North American river otters have also been known to catch and consume moulting American wigeon (Mareca americana) and green-winged teal (Anas crecca). They also scent mark using scent glands near the base of their tails that produce a strong, musky odor. Likewise, the potential predatory impact of otters may be considerable whenever fish are physically confined (most commonly in smaller ponds offering sparse cover or other escape options). Current status of populations unknown. [34][36][55], Records of North American otters preying upon North American beavers (Castor canadensis) vary; it has been reported in the southern boreal forest of Manitoba. Male North American river otters do not seem to be territorial, and newly dispersing males may join established male groups. North American river otters are mainly fish eaters. [21] It differs from the European otter by its longer neck, narrower visage, the smaller space between the ears and its shorter tail. [26] Other fish an integral part of the North American river otters' diets are those that are often plentiful and found in large schools: sunfish (Lepomis spp. Although the distribution became reduced in some regions of southern Canada, the only province-wide extinction occurred on Prince Edward Island. Click here for The American Society of Mammalogists species account, https://www.flickr.com/photos/spolky/14137678671/, http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2765/4276426485_17cb92891f.jpg, http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cIzzr048_Yw/UOdMyHWi9TI/AAAAAAAAUts/jMiA2rUGxQw/P1180157.JPG, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6a/Olympic_Nat_Park_River_Otter.JPG, http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8305/7752408968_be9c26984a_o.jpg, http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/cgi/img_query?seq_num=576969&one=T, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lontra_canadensis, Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). The otter can close its ears and nostrils when diving. A river otter can grow three to four feet (0.9 to 1.2 meters) long including its tail and weigh between 11 and 30 pounds (5 to 14 kilograms). In the absence of harvest-dependent data, presenceabsence data (such as track surveys), can indicate population distribution and trajectories (Roberts et al. Estimated range of river otters Lontra canadensis in the United States during 2016 compared with 1998 (estimated from Melquist et al. [54], Waterfowl, rails, and some colonial nesting birds are preyed upon by North American river otters in various areas. Predators: Include the bobcat, coyote and birds of . [19] An average adult male weighs about 11.3 kilograms (25lb) against the female's average of 8.3 kilograms (18lb). CREATIVE. Litter size ranges anywhere from one to five pups. River otters historically inhabited every major watershed in the contiguous United States and were extirpated from much of their historical range as a result of multiple factors including habitat degradation and destruction as well as unregulated harvest (Anderson 1977). Females allow the male to return after approximately 10 to12 weeks to assist with rearing and teaching the pups essential survival skills. Photo Credit: U.S. River otters communicate with whistles, yelps, growls, and screams, as well as touch and body posture. Sea otters have the amazing capacity of being able to eat up to 25% of their body weight in food . Comparisons between our survey and published reports from 1998 (Melquist et al. We received responses from all 48 contiguous states and interviewed agency personnel in Alaska; not all responses were complete (Table S1). Critter Control near me Lutra was the early European name (from Latin), and the specific epithet canadensis[9] means "of Canada". An adult river otter can weigh between 5.0and14kg (11.0and 31lb). Weight: 11-30 lbs. FEEDING HABITS: Furthermore, because river otters serve as a biomonitor for banned organochlorine pesticides in Illinois, a tool such as SVR used to inform researchers about optimal months for scat collection may facilitate the use of scat for chemical analysis and potential identification of individual otters via genetic profiles from scats (Carpenter et al . Like fishers, martens, and mink, they have long, slender bodies, short limbs, and a short face, plus a set of adaptations for their aquatic lifestyle: an oily, waterproof coat, webbed toes, and small external ears. Peterson Field Guide, Mammals. Young otter pups attain sexual maturity at two years of age and at that time are driven away to establish their own territory. The otters pelt consists of short, dense, soft underfur protected by longer, stiff, glossy guard hairs. [23][16], North American river otters characteristically approach within a few feet of a boat or a person on shore because they're near-sighted, a consequence of vision adapted for underwater sight. When females leave, they tend to move much further away (6090km or 3756mi) than males (up to 30km or 19mi), which tend to move shorter distances. Prior to the arrival of the next litter, the North American river otter yearlings venture out in search of their own home ranges.[44]. ), chubs (Semotilus spp. [16], North American river otters can live 2125 years in captivity,[23][16] or 813 years in the wild. this appendix subjects river otters to international restrictions and state/province export quotas because of their resemblance to European Otters. Our area estimates of river otter distribution in the contiguous United States during 2016 (e.g., 5,686,140 km2) were strikingly similar (i.e., only 2.3% greater) to what Melquist et al. DESCRIPTION: They use their sensitive whiskers which help them locate prey and catch their prey with their mouth, using their paws to hold on to the prey if needed. Potential responses concerning legal status included regulated harvest, no harvest, state threatened, or state endangered. William H. Burt and Richard P. Grossehnheider. The Cahaba River is one of the most biodiverse waterways on Earth. Although methodologies and sampling scales differed from the approach used in our assessment, comparisons of land areas occupied during each period provided a coarse-scale basis for estimates of population expansion or retraction during an 18-y period. Females are approximately one-third smaller than males. Now they are gone from the central and eastern United States, and extinct or rare in Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, and West Virginia. [53] A study conducted on North American river otters in a southwestern Arkansas swamp identified a correlation between crayfish consumption, fish consumption, and water levels. River otter status, management, and distribution in the United States: evidence of large-scale population increase and range expansion. Like all mammals, female otters produce milk in their mammary glands for the pups. According to WTMJ-TV, the Milwaukee County Zoo in Milwaukee shared the news . River otter dens are along the water in abandoned burrows or empty hollows. Males are generally larger than females. North American river otters are not scavengers; they avoid consuming carrion (dead animals). Field Guide to Mammals, North America. Table S1. Water quality and development inhibit recovery of populations in some areas. Otter pelts range from a rich dark brown (almost black) to a pale chestnut on the back and sides and light brown mixed with varying amounts of gray on the belly. In 4 seconds, you will be redirected to nwfactionfund.org, the site of the National Wildlife Action Fund, a 501(c)(4) organization. Houghton Mifflin Co., New York, NY. These include mudminnows (Umbra limi) and sculpins (Cottus spp.). [34][50] Invertebrates discovered within scats or digestive tracts could most likely be a secondary food item, first being consumed by the fish that are subsequently preyed upon by the North American river otters. Length: 35-50 inches. An otters home range may be as small as five miles to as large as 40 miles. [4] Occasional reports also show the river otter eating other small animals, such as mice, squirrels, birds, and even dogs that they've attacked and drowned. A member of the weasel family, otters are semiaquatic animals that feed on insects, fish, amphibians, small reptiles, and shellfish. River otter Lontra canadensis population and regulatory status, population monitoring methods used, intent and outcome of reintroduction efforts, and frequency of harvest regulation reviews in 49 states (Hawaii excluded) within the United States in 2016. Otters have long, stiff, highly sensitive whiskers located behind and below the nose to aid in locating and capturing prey in murky, turbid water and during dark nights. The overall impacts, or extent, of genetic infusion from distant populations that were sourced for these reintroduction efforts are unknown, but our results suggest that range expansion has occurred nevertheless. Harvest regulations are reviewed frequently by most states that allow harvest (Table 1). [1], Oil spills present a localized threat to otter populations, especially in coastal areas. [20], The mothers raise their young without aid from adult males. [49] However, large populations never occurred in areas of Southern California such as the chaparral and oak woodlands and Mojave Desert seasonal waterway regions, or in the xeric shrubland regions in New Mexico, Texas, Nevada, and Colorado. 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. [26][32][33] Bottom-dwelling species, which have the tendency to remain immobile until a predator is very close, are susceptible to North American river otters. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 10 June 2020; 11 (1): 279286. The den typically has many tunnel openings, one of which generally allows the otter to enter and exit the body of water. We tallied responses to these questions and reported frequency of responses. [32][34] The most common amphibians recognized were frogs (Rana and Hyla). [29] In Georgia, crayfish accounted for two-thirds of the prey in the summer diet, and their remnants were present in 98% of the summer spraint. Periodic assessments of river otter status, population trends, and geographic distribution are needed to detect changes in populations, assess management approaches, and to identify and prioritize conservation efforts. As of 2016, 23 states had conducted river otter reintroductions. [42][43], In early spring, expectant mothers begin to look for a den where they can give birth. You will often see an otter swimming for a distance up a river, popping its head out to look in your direction. The American river otter is a graceful and beautiful addition to many North Carolina rivers. [28] North America's largest North American river otter populations were found in areas with an abundance and diversity of aquatic habitats, such as coastal marshes, the Great Lakes region, and glaciated areas of New England. By the early 1900s river otters had been completely extirpated from 11 states and had experienced severe population declines in 9 other states (Deems and Pursley 1978). [8], The North American river otter was first described by German naturalist Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber in 1777. Found throughout the United States and Canada. Reintroduction projects have expanded their distribution in recent years, especially in the Midwestern United States. Other species of otters live on every continent except Australia and Antarctica. River otters breed in late winter or early spring. River otter Lontra canadensis populations in the United States have expanded during the past 50 y as a result of improvements in habitat quality and effective management programs implemented by state and federal agencies and native tribes. Continued monitoring of the population status and distribution at state and national levels would likely detect any significant changes should they occur. The river otter was included as an Appendix II species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora in 1977 as a result of concern that endangered otter species, such as Pteronura brasiliensis, could be misidentified as river otter because of a similar superficial appearance, which could lead to unintentional trade of endangered species; however, it is important to note that the river otter itself has never been considered a globally threatened or endangered species (Greenwalt 1977). [50] Likewise, the common carp (Cyprinus carpio) is a preferred fish species for the North American river otter in other regions of Colorado. Even in larger bodies of water, river otters may take disproportional advantage of any seasonal concentrations of fish when and where only very limited areas of suitable spawning, low-flow, or over-wintering habitat may exist. 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