Where are River Otter found in the wild?

In North America, these lively mammals thrive near rivers, lakes, and coastal areas. They love habitats with plenty of water plants and rocky hiding spots, allowing them to hunt and frolic with ease in their aquatic playgrounds.

River Otter

Splash into fun with these playful aquatic adventurers!

The Basics

Scientific Name

Lontra canadensis

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Location

North America

Average size

3 to 4 feet long

diet

Fish, crayfish, frogs

lifespan

8 to 9 years

Let’s Explore

Overview

The River Otter is a playful and curious mammal that lives in North America. These furry friends can grow to be about 0.9 to 1.2 meters (3 to 4 feet) long, including their long, sleek tails that help them swim like champions.
River Otters belong to the family Mustelidae, which includes weasels and ferrets. Their scientific name is Lontra canadensis, and they thrive in rivers, lakes, and coastal areas, making them the splash-tastic stars of the waterways.
These agile swimmers eat a diet filled with fish, crayfish, and frogs. Their sleek bodies and webbed feet help them dart through the water, catching dinner in style, while their whiskers sense vibrations, helping them find food even in murky waters.
River Otters are social animals that often live in groups called rafts. They enjoy playing together, sliding down mud or snowbanks into the water, which makes every outing feel like a fun-filled adventure!
These otters communicate through chirps, growls, and whistles, making sure nobody forgets their presence. With a lifespan of around 8 to 9 years, they make the most of every moment filled with fun and frolic!

Where can you find a River Otter in the wild?

What does a River Otter eat?

How big can a River Otter grow?

How long does a River Otter typically live?

What is the conservation status of the River Otter?

What are the main threats to the River Otter?

wowzerful facts

River Otters can hold their breath underwater for up to 8 minutes while they dive for food, proving they are amazing swimmers and divers!

These clever creatures can slide down muddy or snowy banks into the water, just like a waterslide, making playtime super fun!

With their sensitive whiskers, River Otters can feel the vibrations of fish swimming nearby, allowing them to hunt like underwater ninjas!

Otters have a special way of keeping warm in cold water - they have the thickest fur of any mammal, with up to 1 million hair strands per square inch!

River Otters often slide on their bellies in groups, creating slippery fun zones where they can play and socialize together.

These playful animals have their own language! They communicate with chirps, growls, and whistles to keep in touch with their otter buddies.

A group of River Otters is called a raft, and they love to hang out together, making every moment an adventure!

River Otters are very agile. They can run as fast as 15 kilometers per hour (about 9 miles per hour) on land for short distances!

These playful swimmers enjoy playing hide-and-seek. They can often be seen popping up and down in the water, trying to outsmart their friends!

River Otters have a unique skill—when they find a favorite rock, they keep it with them to crack open shellfish, like their version of a kitchen tool!