River Otter
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The North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis) is one of four New World Lontra species, and the only one represented in the United States.
Prior to European settlement of the United States, river otters could be found in almost every North American stream, lake and river system.
During the settlement and great move westward, river otters were heavily hunted for their fur, causing substantial population declines. By the late nineteenth century it was either non-existent or barely hanging on in over twenty different states.
The creation of consistent and enforced trapping policies, along with captive breeding and reintroduction programs has helped stabilize, and in some instances, increase, local river otter populations.
Although they den on land, they tend to stay in, or near, their water habitat, where often they are the top predator. Their diet consists primarily of fish and other water invertebrate, including amphibians and mollusks.
They tend to bark and growl loudly when humans encroach on their territory.
© 2010. Patricia A. Michaels