The giant otter or giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is a South American carnivorous mammal. We’re dedicated to working with indigenous communities, legislators, scientists and people like you to advocate for science-based solutions to protect this fragile ecosystem. Otters leave prominently placed spraints on regular territory-marking spots, such as waterside logs and rocks. Male river otters ignore females and young through most of the year. enhydra lutris. Many residents regard otters as desirable animals because of … I really enjoyed this. My name is Don Enright. 300. The Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris) is the smallest marine mammal in North America – males measure 1.2 metres in length and weigh an average of 45 kilograms (females are a bit smaller). An adult North American river otter can weigh between 5.0 and 14 kg (11.0 and 30.9 lb). The most recent arrival was brought to the center after being stranded on an Anchor Point beach. Run easily on land. Abie Alcee. Nice write up Don! Mihaifrancu. If you spot an otter in the Chesapeake Bay, it’s a river otter, whereas if you spot one in Monterey Bay (especially in the water), the chances are high that it’s a sea otter. Short tail. Females of this type of river otter usually give birth to just 1 pup (baby) at a time. Female otters in the California region can weigh up to 60 pounds, while males can weigh up to 90 pounds. I’m a compulsive explainer. River otters live near rivers and other sources of fresh water. Sleek fur and skinny profile. The otter has a long cylindrical body with a powerful tail, making it ideal for life in the water. Yet they tend to be able to identify the sounds that come from those that they identify with. We work with parks and museums and science centres and aquariums, to help them plan and produce their programs and exhibits. Get monthly (ish) updates via email from Don Enright. On average, river otters have two to three pups per litter with the pups going off on their own after about six months to a year. It is known for its highly desirable fur. Our organization is not affiliated with any other otter-related research group or community outreach organization. I’m a freelance interpretive planner and visitor experience advisor: I work collaboratively with parks, historic sites, museums, aquariums and other organizations to help bring their stories to life. Lutra lutra is the European otter. In the wild, they mostly consume non-game fishes, so the competition with game fishers is low. High quality River Otter gifts and merchandise. We receive no government funding, and depend solely on financial support from our friends. River otter poop also contains lots of DNA, from what the otters have eaten and from the otters themselves. The otter is a member of the order Carnivora. Giant otters are more social than river otters, but separate groups tend to avoid each other. Reports now state that otters inhabit every county in the UK – great news for the otter! Great vid and article. Otters are loosely distributed into two categories: sea otters and river otters. Here’s the little guy at the culvert, just after his three siblings have disappeared into it: Your writing style is engaging and entertaining. It is the longest member of the weasel family, Mustelidae, a globally successful group of predators, reaching up to 1.7 metres (5.6 ft).Atypical of mustelids, the giant otter is a social species, with family groups typically supporting three to eight members. River otters also reach sexual maturity earlier and are typically able to reproduce sooner than sea otters. Otters have small, rounded ears, and long sensitive whiskers to help them feel the vibrations of their prey. I was rooting so hard for that little guy. Telling the two kinds of otters apart is pretty simple. River otters: Dark brown. While sea otters have rear flippers that are much larger than their front feet, a river otter’s limbs are of roughly equal size. Thanks Don – great blog. The River Otter Ecology Project is a registered 501 (c)(3) EIN #45-4997526 non-profit organization dedicated to the welfare of river otters and our watershed. Unlike their river otter cousins, sea otters spend almost their entire lives in the water, rarely coming onto dry land. In this part of the world, sea otters are found on the west side of Vancouver Island, never here in the Strait of Georgia. River Otter (Lutra canadensis) Description The otter is the largest member of the weasel family (Mustelidae) found in South Carolina. Preferably on one's lawn furniture or open garage? Some species are solitary, but others are social and living in groups. But instead, I held back and listened to the conversation, thinking back to ten years ago or so when I first saw river otters in the ocean. Meet a man whose roommates are a pair of river otters. Otters have five toes and the heel pad tends to be somewhat horseshoe shaped. River otters are sometimes mistaken for their much larger seagoing cousin, the sea otter (Enhydra lutris, Fig. Burrows may be constructed in the bank or in submerged trees. Each is playful, curious and depends on water for it's food source. Please check your inbox or spam folder now to confirm your subscription. Read More about “What is interpretive planning?”…. Mobile alerts from Ocean Conservancy. If you look closely at river otters, you’ll notice that they have short, coarse fur made up of two layers: one for keeping them warm, and another ‘waterproof’ one outside of that. They go wherever the fish are: ponds, lakes, rivers, lagoons, and right into the ocean whenever they want. An adult North American river otter can weigh between 5.0 and 14 kg (11.0 and 30.9 lb). You know, they really appear to love everything they do. This article will refer to the twelve species of river otter, information about sea otters can be viewed here.Read on to learn about the otter. We have river otters in front of our place and they are such fun to watch, but why do they have to poop on land? Otters have more of a curved form in the water, with most of the body and tail riding just beneath the surface. (and it isn’t going all that great at the moment, apparently), http://calgary.ctvnews.ca/calgary-zoo-celebrates-birth-of-otter-pups-1.1759310, http://stanleyparkecology.ca/ai1ec_event/water-loving-otters-beavers-2/?instance_id=632. This type of otter typically sleeps in the water, floating on its back. River otter WEIGHT: 10–30 lbs. Periodic messages. 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