North American River Otter
Lontra canadensis
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Range: Throughout mainland USA and Canada
Habitat: Inland waterways
Size: About 2.5 feet long; 11-22 pounds
Diet in the Wild: Fish, crayfish, aquatic invertebrates, small mammals, birds, berries
Diet in the Zoo: Smelt, capelin, herring, prepared meat, carrots
Lifespan: 10-15 years in the wild; 20+ years in human care
Adapted for an amphibious lifestyle, these freshwater predators are excellent swimmers with torpedo-shaped bodies, water-repellant fur, webbed-feet, and muscular tails. Eyes adapted for catching prey in murky water leave otters near-sighted on land, relying on their sensitive hearing and smell to navigate terrestrial life. Once extirpated from Indiana due to fur trapping and pollution, the DNR and its partners began a reintroduction program in 1995 and now otters are found throughout most of the state.
Fun Facts!
- Otters are believed to remain submerged for up to 8 minutes!
- Otters make a variety of vocalizations, but when threatened otters are capable of making a scream which can be heard over a mile across water!