A restoration program in western New York has in. Subadults leaving in search of new territory find it impossible to set up family groups. [16], North American river otters only settle in areas that consist of vegetation, rock piles, and sufficient coverage. "Giant otter" translates literally as nutria gigante and lontra gigante in Spanish and Portuguese, respectively. [87], Throughout its range, the giant otter interacts with indigenous groups, who often practice traditional hunting and fishing. [11] The genus name, Pteronura, is derived from the Ancient Greek words (pteron, feather or wing) and (oura, tail),[12] a reference to its distinctive, wing-like tail. Its dense fur coat is prized by trappers. Robin ( 1987) reported that in 1985, 50% of Eurasian otters were captive born and in 2015 approximately 77% were captive born (Rey . [2] Given local extinctions, the species' range has become discontinuous. [62] In addition, solitary animals and young may be vulnerable to attacks by the jaguar, cougar, and anaconda, but this is based on historical reports, not direct observation. Death / Obituaries. Diet of the River Otter River otters eat virtually anything that you can find near lakes or streams. 2023 Cable News Network. Observe a sea otter . The giant otter seems to have evolved independently of Lontra in South America, despite the overlap. The tail is highly muscular and comprises up to 40 percent of the otter'stotal body length. Weights are between 26 and 32kg (57 and 71lb) for males and 22 and 26kg (49 and 57lb) for females. The median life expectancy for this species in captivity is 11.7 years, and the longevity record is 21.64 years (Hamilton 2016). [2] A significant population lives in the wetlands of the central Araguaia River, and in particular within Canto State Park, which, with its 843 oxbow lakes and extensive flooded forests and marshlands, is one of the best habitat patches for this species in Brazil. [35] However, North American river otters, as foragers, will immediately take advantage of other prey when readily obtainable. Early travelers' reports describe noisy groups surrounding explorers' boats, but little scientific information was available on the species until Duplaix's groundbreaking work in the late 1970s. Group sizes are anywhere from two to 20 members, but likely average between four and eight. The giant river otter can weigh up to 99 pounds. A number of reintroduction projects have been initiated to help halt the reduction in the overall population. Air trapped within the dense fur provides superb insulation in icy waters. [9] The mammal was identified as a species of otter and has a variety of common names, including North American river otter, northern river otter, common otter and, simply, river otter. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight But cleanup efforts in the past few decades have paved the way for the otters return to the river. [69] Pups are more vulnerable, and may be taken by caiman and other large predators,[52] although adults are constantly mindful of stray young, and will harass and fight off possible predators. Males are between 1.5 and 1.7m (4ft 11in and 5ft 7in)in length from head to tail and females between .mw-parser-output .frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .frac .num,.mw-parser-output .frac .den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output .frac .den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}1 and 1.5m (3ft 3+12in and 4ft 11in). [1], CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (, different non-sexual physical characteristics, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T12302A164577078.en, "Expert says otter attacks are rare after St. Pete dog killed", "Dog attacked by otters in Lakewood, homeowners say", "7 Surprising Facts About the Giant River Otter", "Multigene phylogeny of the Mustelidae: Resolving relationships, tempo and biogeographic history of a mammalian adaptive radiation", 10.1644/1545-1410(2002)712<0001:LM>2.0.CO;2, "Parasites as probes for prehistoric human migrations? [29] The legs are short and stubby and end in large webbed feet tipped with sharp claws. But the otters return is a beacon of hope for conservationists and environmentalists alike. Water pollution and other diminution of aquatic and wetland habitats may limit distribution and pose long-term threats if the enforcement of water quality standards is not upheld. Researchers emphasize that even between groups, conflict avoidance is generally adopted. [47], Suriname still has significant forest cover and an extensive system of protected areas, much of which protects the giant otter. Fossil Facts. Solon doesn't even seem to mind that in the 2019-2020 season, 256 otters were harvested in 38 counties of Ohio, the highest modern-day harvest on record. [45] The giant otter seems to prefer prey fish that are generally immobile on river bottoms in clear water. In the winter, otters have found the easiest and perhaps most fun way to get around is by sliding. Dreamstime is the world`s largest stock photography community. Try Otter Spotters! An IUCN study in 2006 suggested 1,000 to 5,000 otters remain. [16], North American river otters can live 2125 years in captivity,[23][16] or 813 years in the wild. On average, male otters weigh 25lbs and are about 48in in length . [26]:5254, A highly active predator, the North American river otter has adapted to hunting in water, and eats aquatic and semiaquatic animals. 2 3 In a single dive, a river otter can travel as. Derek Balmas of Franklinville was. [84] In a report for World Wildlife Fund in 2002, Duplaix was emphatic about the importance of Suriname and the other Guianas:[63] .mw-parser-output .templatequote{overflow:hidden;margin:1em 0;padding:0 40px}.mw-parser-output .templatequote .templatequotecite{line-height:1.5em;text-align:left;padding-left:1.6em;margin-top:0}. [10][24][25], Most mustelids, including otters, have 36 specialized teeth, including sharp canines and carnassials that inflict lethal bites to prey. [47] In Canada, North American river otters occupy all provinces and territories, except until recently Prince Edward Island. The den typically has many tunnel openings, one of which generally allows the otter to enter and exit the body of water. Watch our Sea Otter Cam and see animated sea otters live now on exhibit as they swim, play with toys, lounge in ice buckets and eat during our daily feeding shows at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. [75][82], In 2006, most of this species lived in the Brazilian Amazon and its bordering areas. [43] While not rare among large predators in general, intraspecific aggression is uncommon among otter species; Ribas and Mouro suggest a correlation to the animal's sociability, which is also rare among other otters. [44][45] Within groups, the animals are extremely peaceful and cooperative. Otter pups aren't born with swimming skills, they learn from their mothers. [32][36] Slow-moving species include suckers (Catostomidae), catfish, sunfish and bass (Centrarchidae), daces, carp, and shiners (Cyprinidae). [22], Its whiskers (vibrissae) are long and thick, enhancing their senses. Freshwater otters generally rest and sleep on land, which can be either in their dens or above . Ste Marie lives on the Canadian side of the Detroit River, which divides Detroit, Michigan, from Windsor, Ontario. [36] Each family of otters was shown to have its own unique audio signature. The smaller neotropical otter is far more shy, less noisy, and less social; at about a third the weight of the giant otter, it is more vulnerable to predation, hence, a lack of conspicuousness is to its advantage. River otters have long, stiff and highly sensitive facial whiskers that aid in locating and capturing prey. The species prefers freshwater rivers and streams, which are usually seasonally flooded, and may also take to freshwater lakes and springs. River otter. Nature at risk: Otters still call Delaware River home, for now. ", "North American River Otter National Wildlife Federation", "Basic Facts About North American River Otters", "Distribution and abundance of river otter in Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota", "Food habits of the river otter in Suisun Marsh, Central California", "Feeding relationships of river otters in northeastern Pennsylvania", Food habits of the North American river otter (, "Social Networks and the Formation and Maintenance of River Otter Groups", "Art Lander's Outdoors: Once endangered river otters now likely to be found in Kentucky for generations", Colorado Otters May No Longer Need Protection, How river otters are making a comeback on P.E.I. [26] The nose (or rhinarium) is completely covered in fur, with only the two slit-like nostrils visible. Fish from the order Perciformes, particularly cichlids and perch, were seen in 97% of scats, and Characiformes, such as characins, in 86%. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Though active year . [18] (The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) is the fourth Lontra member.) I realized it was too big to be either of those. On its face, the upper lip, mandible, and tip of the muzzle are silvery white to yellowish. [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. Otters have five toes and the heel pad tends to be somewhat horseshoe shaped. The entire group, including nonreproductive adults, which are usually older siblings to that year's pups, collaborates to catch enough fish for the young. [79][80], Other threats to the giant otter include conflict with fishermen, who often view the species as a nuisance (see below). For example, a study conducted in a central California marshland indicated crayfish formed nearly 100% of the river otter's diet at certain times of the year. The otter's ears and nostrils close underwater. The tail is long, wide, and quite thick at the base. So he contacted some local experts who confirmed that river otters hadnt been seen in the Detroit River for 100 years. April . River otters exhibit a variety of vocalizations, ranging from whistles andbuzzes to twitters, staccato chuckles, chirps and growls. [14], In 2021, conservationists at Fundacin Rewilding spotted a wild giant river otter swimming in the Bermejo River in Impenetrable National Park, located in the Chaco province of northeast Argentina. It is the noisiest otter species, and distinct vocalizations have been documented that indicate alarm, aggression, and reassurance. At the Smithsonian's National Zoo, they eat a prepared meat diet and several types of fish. Two subspecies are currently recognized by the canonical Mammal Species of the World, P. b. brasiliensis and P. b. paraguensis. The groups are centered on a dominant breeding pair and are extremely cohesive and cooperative. [2] Typically, loggers first move into rainforest, clearing the vegetation along riverbanks. Free or royalty-free photos and images. It was Nov. 8, 2022, when a trio of anglers hit the St. Lawrence River out of Clayton in pursuit of the mighty muskellunge, the elusive fish of 10,000 casts. It tapers to a point. Recently, long-term genetic consequences of reintroduction projects on remnant North American river otter populations has been discussed. Otter births occur most frequently in March or April. [78] Specific threats from human industry include unsustainable mahogany logging in parts of the giant otter range,[75] and concentrations of mercury in its diet of fish, a byproduct of gold mining. The Guianas are one of the last real strongholds for the species, which also enjoys modest numbers and significant protection in the Peruvian Amazonian basin. In Canto State Park, otters dig their reproductive dens on the shores of oxbow lakes starting around July, when waters are already quite low. ), and other game fish during spawning. Otters are the largest member of the weasel family weighing up to 30 lbs. [53], During the winter and spring, when the water levels were higher, North American river otters had a greater tendency to prey upon crayfish (73% of scats had crayfish remains) rather than fish. [23], Like other otters, the North American river otter lives in a holt, or den, constructed in the burrows of other animals, or in natural hollows, such as under a log or in river banks. It can tolerate a great range of temperature and elevations. The North American river otter is one of several carnivorans included in ongoing research of respiratory turbinates by Dr. Van Valkenburgh. There are 13 species of otters around the world, according to the Integrated Taxonomic Information System. 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