Mobile Site" North American river otters are social animals. Their whiskers are extremely effective for finding prey. These animals are carnivores and are mostly active at night. Privacy Notice |  Crait, J.R. and M. Ben-David. Crait, J.R. et al. The Denver Post 1,933 views. Sustainability Policy |  font-family: SQMarket-Medium; These The male otters are polygynous which means they mate with more then one female groups are known as rafts. font-style: normal; After watching the video, do you think river otters can smell underwater? Two otters visited his section of the river. Did you know some dolphins live in rivers? River otters don’t breed until they’re at least five years old. A male approaches a female and attempts to embrace her with his forelegs or rub and sniff her body. He was lucky. animal with hair that gives birth to live offspring. They use their whiskers to sense animals around them. Young stay with their mother through their first winter. They are well adapted for swimming, with their streamline bodies and valved ears and nose. River otters love to play. Amazing behaviors. River otters use chirping and humming sounds as contact calls. Rive… North American river otters are active year-round, and are most active at night and during crepuscular hours. Otter Behavior Training - Duration: 2:34. url("//cdn2.editmysite.com/fonts/SQ_Market/sqmarket-medium.woff") format("woff"); National Geographic Magazine: Britain's Otters—The Sultans of Streams, National Geographic Magazine: The Sultans of Streams, Charlie Hamilton James: Wildlife Photographer & Cameraman. The otters hunt by seek attack. On land they walk, run, or slide across surfaces. Food Hunting: River otters, members of the weasel family, hunt at night and feed on whatever might be available. Any interactives on this page can only be played while you are visiting our website. They can swim on their stomachs as well as on their backs. Clawless otters are relatively social. } Journal of Mammalogy. They slide down snowy or muddy hills into the water. Their basic social unit consists of an adult female and her offspring. Answers will vary. I might also do the experiment with a different animal as bait, like a crab. The Northern River Otter (Lontra canadensis) is equally at home in the water and on land and make their homes in a burrow near the water’s edge. At 35 to 53 inches from tip to tip, the river otter is Illinois' largest member of the weasel family. 2006. This species is highly inquisitive and playful. Weebly.footer.setupContainer('cdn2.editmysite.com', '1607362666'); } else { if (windowHref.indexOf('?') During these seasons, river otters tend to be most active during crepuscular hours and at night. The otters hunt by seek attack. In aggressive and sexual encounters, river otters growl and squall. If a media asset is downloadable, a download button appears in the corner of the media viewer. River otter bodies are perfect for swimming. Behavior/Reproduction. If you have questions about how to cite anything on our website in your project or classroom presentation, please contact your teacher. Each otter has its own unique scent, so if another otter enters an area with an unfamiliar scent, they know that they don’t belong there. my otter home page. In 2001, a female otter at the Monterey Bay … They slide down snowy or muddy hills into the water. In the late 1990s, the New York River Otter Project aimed to restore river otter to the watersheds of western New York. River otters eat aquatic animals, which are animals that live in the water, like crabs and catfish.Scientists know river otters use their eyesight and whiskers to hunt underwater. A stout tail makes up about 30 to 40 percent of its total body length. They play with them and teach them a variety of skills that help to increase their chances of surviving on their own. The den is often made of grass or sticks. The otters are very agile in the water. Possible answer: I would do the experiment again. But could river otters rely on another sense? ); Northern River Otters are born with many innate behaviors. They have powerful tails to propel them through the water, webbed feet that act like flippers, and water repellent fur to keep them warm and dry. They have powerful tails to propel them through the water, webbed feet that act like flippers, and water repellent fur to keep them warm and dry. Behavior. Their preferred foods are fish and small mammals. Northern river otters not very territorial. River otters in Yellowstone Lake depend on a declining cutthroat trout population. National Geographic photographer Charlie Hamilton James creates an experiment to test if the river otters near his home can smell underwater. Although behavior this is particularly common in sea otters, who will take a good rock with them out to open ocean, North American river otters will occasionally use and keep certain rocks as well. It is a member of weasel family. It builds its habitat in the swamps, rivers, lakes, tidal flat and coastal shoreline; in the form of burrows. > -1) { url("//cdn2.editmysite.com/fonts/SQ_Market/sqmarket-medium.woff2") format("woff2"), Although generally peaceful, the species is territorial, and aggression has been observed between groups. They also scent mark using scent glands near the base of … People love to watch them engage in fun activities. It wouldn’t be able to see the fish because the water was too murky.Charlie set up night-vision cameras on the riverbank. Scat in front of the entry hole and a well worn path into the hole betray use by otters. River otters primarily prey on fish, crayfish, turtles and amphibians, and rarely birds. In Dr. Heide Island's research on river otter diet and foraging behaviors on central Whidbey Island, she's found flat fish and sculpin to be the largest part of their diets and no salmonid or rock fish species. Answers will vary. They use their whiskers to sense animals around them. '; Watch the video to find out if they found the fish! Mating Behavior A male river otter appears to approach females indiscriminately until it finds one that is receptive. For information on user permissions, please read our Terms of Service. . North American river otters very vocal, and the animals use a variety of calls to communicate. Charlie Hamilton James thinks so. Northern River Otters hunt at night, while most other otters hunt during the day. They become much more nocturnal in the spring, summer, and fall seasons, and more diurnal during winter. The otter wouldn’t be able to use its whiskers because the fish wouldn’t be moving. This species has a large, weasel-like, long, and slender body with small eyes, ears and head, short legs, webbed toes and a tapering tail. Their most noticeable ability is swimming. To the dismay of golfers, these otters also think golf balls make fantastic toys and will occasionally snag a few off the course to take home. The most common of which is “playing”. } Text on this page is printable and can be used according to our Terms of Service. River otters are excellent swimmers. 2006. Otters communicate by vocalization and scent marking. } Their most noticeable ability is swimming. The female litters one to six babies in thes underground burrows. 87: 485–494. habitat. Otters are born with many innate behaviors. The river otter's eyes and ears are located high on its head for surface swimming. He’s been photographing river otters since he was 16 years old. If you were the photographer, what would you do next to prove your prediction that otters can smell underwater? This is particularly noticeable during spring, summer and autumn. A river otter dines on a flatfish near Admiralty Bay. Giant otters are more social than river otters, but separate groups tend to avoid each other. Behavior . Get Started They may migrate as a result of food shortages or environmental conditions, but they do not migrate annually. Almonte, C. “Classification of Captive North American River Otters (Lontra canadensis) Vocal Repertoires: Individual Variations, and Age Class Comparisons.” Animal Behavior and Cognition. Some of them can be found sliding down hills, chasing each other, and rolling around on the ground playing with each other. They eat fish, insects, crustaceans, frogs, and sometimes even small mammals. document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() { Photo by Heide Island. The audio, illustrations, photos, and videos are credited beneath the media asset, except for promotional images, which generally link to another page that contains the media credit. windowHref += '? Join our community of educators and receive the latest information on National Geographic's resources for you and your students. When you reach out to him or her, you will need the page title, URL, and the date you accessed the resource. An otter uses its tail like a rudder while swimming. It is the noisiest otter species, and distinct vocalizations have been documented that indicate alarm, aggression, and reassurance. I think otters have a fine sense of control of their lives and they do that by having an almost single minded focus on their environment. When a river otter dives, its ears close tightly to keep out water. Northern River Otters hunt at night, while most other otters hunt during the day. They are well adapted for swimming, with their streamline bodies and valved ears and nose. Male sea otters set up territories in female areas, and attempt to mate with any female that enters their territory. River otters are secretive in their behavior but are active year-round during the evening and from the hours of dawn to midmorning. Late seasonal breeding of river ot- ters in Yellowstone National Park. Male river otters ignore females and young through most of the year. All otters are expert hunters that eat fish, crustaceans, and other critters. They also have very fast metabolisms, so they must eat very often. They are also born knowing how to hunt. © 1996 - 2020 National Geographic Society. They hiss, purr, and whistle in other contexts. If no button appears, you cannot download or save the media. They are well adapted for swimming, with their streamline bodies and valved ears and nose. } else { Otters are extremely social and it isn’t uncommon to see them playing with each other in the water or on the shore. They must be to get away from predators. } They can hold their breath for up to eight minutes. The otters communicate in a verity of ways. They love to playfully slide down… Since they are nocturnal hunters, they may not be able to see their prey. They have a total length from 900-1270 mm, and a weight 10-25 pounds. Create your own unique website with customizable templates. A third eyelid, or nictitating membrane, protects the eye and allows the otter to see when swimming underwater. It is usually located on the shore. River otter presence has now been confirmed in 83 of 88 counties. identification. The otter's ears and nostrils close underwater. One of the moments that they will be together is during mating or when a mother is caring for her young pup. Since they are nocturnal hunters, they may not be able to see their prey. River Otters Playing; Sources. Young otters play to learn survival skills. They communicate with a variety of sounds like chirps, squeals, screams, and growls. The giant otter is diurnal, being active exclusively during daylight hours. OTTER MOMS ARE TOTALLY GAME FOR ADOPTION. But did you know these mammals are also top predators? They can do this in several ways. windowHref += '&'; River Otter Habits. Female mammals produce milk to feed their offspring. Their whiskers feel movement in the water—the swish of a fish's tail, for example. Create your own unique website with customizable templates. The females are wonderful with the young though. The river otter’s social interactions also help it survive winter. Within each otter’s territory is their den. River otters can stay underwater for up to four minutes. Possible answer: I think river otters can smell underwater because one was able to find the fish even though it couldn’t see the fish or feel it moving with its whiskers. 1) are best known for their continuous and playful behavior, their aesthetic value, and the value of their durable, high-quality fur.They have long, streamlined bodies, short legs, and a robust, tapered tail, all … They also have very fast metabolisms, so they must eat very often. The often use shrill cries or whistles. Their most noticeable ability is swimming. Their whiskers are extremely effective for finding prey. River otters are equally at home on land or in the water. Let’s take a closer look. River otters (Lutra canadensis, Fig. River otter bodies are perfect for swimming. if (document.cookie.match(/(^|;)\s*is_mobile=1/)) { The fur is dense, soft, short, and rich brown above, paler below. They can hold their breath for up to eight minutes. National Geographic Headquarters They range in size from 34 to 54 inches in length and … They looked forRead More When threatened or frightened, they emit a hair-raising scream that can be heard up to 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) across the water. These authors research stereotypic behaviors in Otters in accredited zoos in the united states to see whether housing and management impacted these behaviors. }); This is where they will explore and hunt. River otters occur in several streams, rivers and marshes within eastern South Dakota. //. She or he will best know the preferred format. It is important that they scent-mark their territory, however. animal that hunts other animals for food. The otters are very agile in … font-weight: 500; River otters are playful animals. They are also born knowing how to hunt. He also put waterproof cameras in the river near the trout. Behavior. Avoidance is a very significant factor in river otter social behavior. River Otter Behavior. src: The Rights Holder for media is the person or group credited. Weebly.footer.setupContainer('cdn2.editmysite.com', '1607362666'); Code of Ethics. River otters usually feed on slow moving fish, such as carp, mud minnows, stickle backs, and suckers, that are from four to six inches long. Charlie wanted to see if an otter could find a dead trout in cloudy water at night. River otters tend to be solitary and fairly territorial. River otters communicate with whistles, yelps, growls, and screams, as well as touch and body posture. Their preferred foods are fish and small mammals. Identification. River Otters May Be Marine Animals but They Are Also Night Owls. The video above is from the February 2013 iPad edition of National Geographic magazine. Growing up otter: How the Denver Aquarium rescued a river otter from a gas station in Florida - Duration: 3:14. Fish are a favorite food, but they also eat amphibians, turtles, and crayfish.On land, river otters can bound and run quite well, if not quite as effectively as they swim. River otters exhibit a variety of vocalizations, ranging from whistles and buzzes to twitters, staccato chuckles, chirps and growls. American Midland Naturalist 156: 189–192. He thinks otters can smell underwater.Charlie lives near a river in western England. Why? var windowHref = window.location.href || ''; 1145 17th Street NW River otters defend their territories by marking, scratching, and occasionally fighting. Washington, DC 20036, National Geographic Society is a 501 (c)(3) organization. The aquatic mammals have several biological adaptations that have enabled them to inhabit several environments successfully. or notdoing things. Some of these predators include coyotes, bobcats, birds, and humans. River otters are underwater acrobats that are known for their social and playful behavior and have been observed sliding down slippery slopes for fun. Behavioral Adaptations Food Web Symbiotic Relationships Natural Selection Works Cited Sea Otter live in packs that are the same gender as them. If she is receptive, the two roll and frolic; if not, she will push him away. Adults weigh 10 to 25 pounds; males are about one third larger than females. You cannot download interactives. 1 (2014): 502-517. Fun Facts about River Otters. They live in burrows with an underwater entrance. He saw what was happening in the river from small screens set up in his kitchen. All rights reserved. They have a home range though that can be very wide. if (document.readystate === 'complete') { Paige Morabito and Meredith J. Bahaw (2012) A Survey of Abnormal Repetitive Behaviors in North American River Otters Housed in Zoos, Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 15:3, 208-221. Food and Feeding Behavior River otters are opportunists, eating a wide variety of food items, but mostly fish. "    " + "Mobile Site" North American river otters are social animals. Their whiskers are extremely effective for finding prey. These animals are carnivores and are mostly active at night. Privacy Notice |  Crait, J.R. and M. Ben-David. Crait, J.R. et al. The Denver Post 1,933 views. Sustainability Policy |  font-family: SQMarket-Medium; These The male otters are polygynous which means they mate with more then one female groups are known as rafts. font-style: normal; After watching the video, do you think river otters can smell underwater? Two otters visited his section of the river. Did you know some dolphins live in rivers? River otters don’t breed until they’re at least five years old. A male approaches a female and attempts to embrace her with his forelegs or rub and sniff her body. He was lucky. animal with hair that gives birth to live offspring. They use their whiskers to sense animals around them. Young stay with their mother through their first winter. They are well adapted for swimming, with their streamline bodies and valved ears and nose. River otters love to play. Amazing behaviors. River otters use chirping and humming sounds as contact calls. Rive… North American river otters are active year-round, and are most active at night and during crepuscular hours. Otter Behavior Training - Duration: 2:34. url("//cdn2.editmysite.com/fonts/SQ_Market/sqmarket-medium.woff") format("woff"); National Geographic Magazine: Britain's Otters—The Sultans of Streams, National Geographic Magazine: The Sultans of Streams, Charlie Hamilton James: Wildlife Photographer & Cameraman. The otters hunt by seek attack. On land they walk, run, or slide across surfaces. Food Hunting: River otters, members of the weasel family, hunt at night and feed on whatever might be available. Any interactives on this page can only be played while you are visiting our website. They can swim on their stomachs as well as on their backs. Clawless otters are relatively social. } Journal of Mammalogy. They slide down snowy or muddy hills into the water. Their basic social unit consists of an adult female and her offspring. Answers will vary. I might also do the experiment with a different animal as bait, like a crab. The Northern River Otter (Lontra canadensis) is equally at home in the water and on land and make their homes in a burrow near the water’s edge. At 35 to 53 inches from tip to tip, the river otter is Illinois' largest member of the weasel family. 2006. This species is highly inquisitive and playful. Weebly.footer.setupContainer('cdn2.editmysite.com', '1607362666'); } else { if (windowHref.indexOf('?') During these seasons, river otters tend to be most active during crepuscular hours and at night. The otters hunt by seek attack. In aggressive and sexual encounters, river otters growl and squall. If a media asset is downloadable, a download button appears in the corner of the media viewer. River otter bodies are perfect for swimming. Behavior/Reproduction. If you have questions about how to cite anything on our website in your project or classroom presentation, please contact your teacher. Each otter has its own unique scent, so if another otter enters an area with an unfamiliar scent, they know that they don’t belong there. my otter home page. In 2001, a female otter at the Monterey Bay … They slide down snowy or muddy hills into the water. In the late 1990s, the New York River Otter Project aimed to restore river otter to the watersheds of western New York. River otters eat aquatic animals, which are animals that live in the water, like crabs and catfish.Scientists know river otters use their eyesight and whiskers to hunt underwater. A stout tail makes up about 30 to 40 percent of its total body length. They play with them and teach them a variety of skills that help to increase their chances of surviving on their own. The den is often made of grass or sticks. The otters are very agile in the water. Possible answer: I would do the experiment again. But could river otters rely on another sense? ); Northern River Otters are born with many innate behaviors. They have powerful tails to propel them through the water, webbed feet that act like flippers, and water repellent fur to keep them warm and dry. They have powerful tails to propel them through the water, webbed feet that act like flippers, and water repellent fur to keep them warm and dry. Behavior. Their preferred foods are fish and small mammals. Northern river otters not very territorial. River otters in Yellowstone Lake depend on a declining cutthroat trout population. National Geographic photographer Charlie Hamilton James creates an experiment to test if the river otters near his home can smell underwater. Although behavior this is particularly common in sea otters, who will take a good rock with them out to open ocean, North American river otters will occasionally use and keep certain rocks as well. It is a member of weasel family. It builds its habitat in the swamps, rivers, lakes, tidal flat and coastal shoreline; in the form of burrows. > -1) { url("//cdn2.editmysite.com/fonts/SQ_Market/sqmarket-medium.woff2") format("woff2"), Although generally peaceful, the species is territorial, and aggression has been observed between groups. They also scent mark using scent glands near the base of … People love to watch them engage in fun activities. It wouldn’t be able to see the fish because the water was too murky.Charlie set up night-vision cameras on the riverbank. Scat in front of the entry hole and a well worn path into the hole betray use by otters. River otters primarily prey on fish, crayfish, turtles and amphibians, and rarely birds. In Dr. Heide Island's research on river otter diet and foraging behaviors on central Whidbey Island, she's found flat fish and sculpin to be the largest part of their diets and no salmonid or rock fish species. Answers will vary. They use their whiskers to sense animals around them. '; Watch the video to find out if they found the fish! Mating Behavior A male river otter appears to approach females indiscriminately until it finds one that is receptive. For information on user permissions, please read our Terms of Service. . North American river otters very vocal, and the animals use a variety of calls to communicate. Charlie Hamilton James thinks so. Northern River Otters hunt at night, while most other otters hunt during the day. They become much more nocturnal in the spring, summer, and fall seasons, and more diurnal during winter. The otter wouldn’t be able to use its whiskers because the fish wouldn’t be moving. This species has a large, weasel-like, long, and slender body with small eyes, ears and head, short legs, webbed toes and a tapering tail. Their most noticeable ability is swimming. To the dismay of golfers, these otters also think golf balls make fantastic toys and will occasionally snag a few off the course to take home. The most common of which is “playing”. } Text on this page is printable and can be used according to our Terms of Service. River otters are excellent swimmers. 2006. Otters communicate by vocalization and scent marking. } Their most noticeable ability is swimming. The female litters one to six babies in thes underground burrows. 87: 485–494. habitat. Otters are born with many innate behaviors. The river otter's eyes and ears are located high on its head for surface swimming. He’s been photographing river otters since he was 16 years old. If you were the photographer, what would you do next to prove your prediction that otters can smell underwater? This is particularly noticeable during spring, summer and autumn. A river otter dines on a flatfish near Admiralty Bay. Giant otters are more social than river otters, but separate groups tend to avoid each other. Behavior . Get Started They may migrate as a result of food shortages or environmental conditions, but they do not migrate annually. Almonte, C. “Classification of Captive North American River Otters (Lontra canadensis) Vocal Repertoires: Individual Variations, and Age Class Comparisons.” Animal Behavior and Cognition. Some of them can be found sliding down hills, chasing each other, and rolling around on the ground playing with each other. They eat fish, insects, crustaceans, frogs, and sometimes even small mammals. document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() { Photo by Heide Island. The audio, illustrations, photos, and videos are credited beneath the media asset, except for promotional images, which generally link to another page that contains the media credit. windowHref += '? Join our community of educators and receive the latest information on National Geographic's resources for you and your students. When you reach out to him or her, you will need the page title, URL, and the date you accessed the resource. An otter uses its tail like a rudder while swimming. It is the noisiest otter species, and distinct vocalizations have been documented that indicate alarm, aggression, and reassurance. I think otters have a fine sense of control of their lives and they do that by having an almost single minded focus on their environment. When a river otter dives, its ears close tightly to keep out water. Northern River Otters hunt at night, while most other otters hunt during the day. They are well adapted for swimming, with their streamline bodies and valved ears and nose. Male sea otters set up territories in female areas, and attempt to mate with any female that enters their territory. River otters are secretive in their behavior but are active year-round during the evening and from the hours of dawn to midmorning. Late seasonal breeding of river ot- ters in Yellowstone National Park. Male river otters ignore females and young through most of the year. All otters are expert hunters that eat fish, crustaceans, and other critters. They also have very fast metabolisms, so they must eat very often. They are also born knowing how to hunt. © 1996 - 2020 National Geographic Society. They hiss, purr, and whistle in other contexts. If no button appears, you cannot download or save the media. They are well adapted for swimming, with their streamline bodies and valved ears and nose. } else { Otters are extremely social and it isn’t uncommon to see them playing with each other in the water or on the shore. They must be to get away from predators. } They can hold their breath for up to eight minutes. The otters communicate in a verity of ways. They love to playfully slide down… Since they are nocturnal hunters, they may not be able to see their prey. They have a total length from 900-1270 mm, and a weight 10-25 pounds. Create your own unique website with customizable templates. A third eyelid, or nictitating membrane, protects the eye and allows the otter to see when swimming underwater. It is usually located on the shore. River otter presence has now been confirmed in 83 of 88 counties. identification. The otter's ears and nostrils close underwater. One of the moments that they will be together is during mating or when a mother is caring for her young pup. Since they are nocturnal hunters, they may not be able to see their prey. River Otters Playing; Sources. Young otters play to learn survival skills. They communicate with a variety of sounds like chirps, squeals, screams, and growls. The giant otter is diurnal, being active exclusively during daylight hours. OTTER MOMS ARE TOTALLY GAME FOR ADOPTION. But did you know these mammals are also top predators? They can do this in several ways. windowHref += '&'; River Otter Habits. Female mammals produce milk to feed their offspring. Their whiskers feel movement in the water—the swish of a fish's tail, for example. Create your own unique website with customizable templates. The females are wonderful with the young though. The river otter’s social interactions also help it survive winter. Within each otter’s territory is their den. River otters can stay underwater for up to four minutes. Possible answer: I think river otters can smell underwater because one was able to find the fish even though it couldn’t see the fish or feel it moving with its whiskers. 1) are best known for their continuous and playful behavior, their aesthetic value, and the value of their durable, high-quality fur.They have long, streamlined bodies, short legs, and a robust, tapered tail, all … They also have very fast metabolisms, so they must eat very often. The often use shrill cries or whistles. Their most noticeable ability is swimming. Their whiskers are extremely effective for finding prey. River otters are equally at home on land or in the water. Let’s take a closer look. River otters (Lutra canadensis, Fig. River otter bodies are perfect for swimming. if (document.cookie.match(/(^|;)\s*is_mobile=1/)) { The fur is dense, soft, short, and rich brown above, paler below. They can hold their breath for up to eight minutes. National Geographic Headquarters They range in size from 34 to 54 inches in length and … They looked forRead More When threatened or frightened, they emit a hair-raising scream that can be heard up to 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) across the water. These authors research stereotypic behaviors in Otters in accredited zoos in the united states to see whether housing and management impacted these behaviors. }); This is where they will explore and hunt. River otters occur in several streams, rivers and marshes within eastern South Dakota. //