North American Otter

scientific name

Lutra canadensis

size

Weight. 10-30 lbs.
Body. 21-32"
Tail Length. 12-20"

characteristics

Body. "torpedo" shape
Ears/Nostrils. closed when submerged " can remain underwater 6-8 min
Feet. webbed " suited for swimming (nearly 7 mph)
Fur. short & dense
Legs. short
Undercoat. waterproof " layer of fat insulates body

behavior

diurnal " usually found no more than few hundred meters from water
Den. often takes over former dens of beavers or muskrats " entrance below waterline " entrance above for air exchange

reproduction/life span

Life span. captivity ~18 yrs (record 21 yrs)
Implantation. delayed " breeding to birth ~12 mos.
Gestation. 60-63 days
Pups. 2-4 " born in spring " leave mother 8 mos.

diet

Wild. small mammals, small fish, frogs, insects, small birds, eggs, & mollusks
Zoo. carnivore diet, fish with vitamins, omnivore biscuits, & chicken necks

habitat/range

marshes " streams " river mouths " Canada & U.S.

status

CITES App II " rare (except in northwest) due to habitat destruction & water pollution " good populations in suitable habitat in northeast & southeast " protected & regulated by ODFW

other

one of few members of weasel family specially adapted to water habitats " confusion may lie in that European river otters tend to be nocturnal " with human disturbance North American river otters go to crepuscular or nocturnal behavior

oregon zoo exhibit

Cascades