River otters eat 15% to 20% of their total body weight each day. They used a lot of methods to hunt otters. River otter reaches a length of … Deforestation and over-grazing around these settlements have caused desertification. It is recognized by its powerful neck and elongated body. Breeding After a gestation period of approximately 2 months, Southern River Otters give birth to 1 - 4 cubs. They have both claws and webbed feet that help them in the water and on land. The river otter is agile in water and on land, in fact there are two different names for a group of otters - a raft of otters if they are in the water, and a romp of otters if they are on land. Subspecies There are no subspecies of the Southern River Otter. The southern river otter is listed as endangered, due to illegal hunting, water pollution, and habitat loss. The forests are named after the city of Valdivia. It is endangered in some parts of its range, but is recovering in others. The Eurasian otter has a diet mainly of fish, and is strongly territorial. A third eyelid, or nictitating membrane, protects the eye and allows the otter to see when swimming underwater. And you definitely don’t want to mess with giant otters, just check out this clip below! The American mink is a semiaquatic species of mustelid native to North America, though human intervention has expanded its range to many parts of Europe and South America. The situation was particularly serious in southern and central England, with otters vanishing from these areas completely, becoming locally extinct. They can grow to be more than a meter long, from head to tail, and weight up to 14 kg. 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). Southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis), also known as California sea otters, were listed as threatened in 1977 under the Endangered Species Act. Although the Giant otter is prevalent in the southern part of the Neotropics, especially in the Amazon basin, the Southern river otter is the only species of otter found in Costa Rica. River Otters. The tail comprises less than a third of the body length. After a few bumps, they can slide up to 22 feet on the ice. A river otter in England. ... southern sea otters—known as California sea otters—have been making a comeback in recent years. Its western boundary coincides with the Chilean border. In Argentina, it is found along the Andes from Tierra del Fuego all the way to the southern part of … Adults can reach an average body length of 22 to 28 inches with a tail length of 14 to 18 inches. Adults grow to about three feet in length and weigh 10-20lbs. More to come soon. In 2014, a study of giant otters found that the river-dwellers … In Oregon, River otters are mostly found west of the Cascade Range but have been found in eastern Klamath County and in Deschutes, Wallowa, and Malheur counties. The riparian forests and rivers in which these otters are mostly found have been disturbed by human presence. The adult male weighs around 11.3 kg (25 lb); while the female weighs up to 8.3 kg (18 lb). 10 facts about the giant river otter: The giant river otter is giant, measuring in at 1.5-1.8 m and weighing in at 22-32 kg! Females are slightly smaller, weighing 14-33 kg and measuring 1-1.4 m in length. "Lontra provocax". It is also known as neotropical river otter, a long-tailed otter. They include the Southern River Otter, Hairy Nosed Otter, Giant Otter, and the India Smooth Coated Otter. The river otter food chain includes many types of fish, mollusks, crustaceans, aquatic plants and roots, eggs, and some small mammals and birds. Some of the best known are the giant otter, the sea otter, the European otter, the Northern river otter among others. It is know population in freshwater habitats are confined to seven isolated areas between Cautin and Futaleufu. 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. Their diets include fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and birds. It borders the Alberto de Agostini National Park and Tierra del Fuego National Park. In the United States Otters are protected under the Endangered Species Act. It has a long body, a flat head with small ears, and a broad muzzle with whiskers. These propel them through the water at high speeds to help them hunt. This otter can dive to 300 feet in search of food. The river otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur. River otters are rambunctious, aquatic, streamlined mammals that spend much of their time in the water. Otter and Human Relationship Humans have hunted otters since the 1700s. It prefers to eat crayfish and freshwater mussels. It grows from 4.9 to 5.9 feet (1.5 to 1.8 meters) long. Its eyes are placed at the top of the head, so it can remain alert whilst the rest of the body is underwater. Their body shape aids in helping them make sudden turns to catch fish and other prey. Otters come from Brazil, giant otters share the South American continent with 3 of the 4 local representatives of the genus lontra neotropical river otter, southern river otter, and sea otter. Check out our Several of the known populations are found within national forests. It is known as the common otter or northern river otter. Their toes are webbed, they have short legs and they boast a tapered tail ranging up to 15 inches long. The property is vital for the protection of some of the last portions of continuous Patagonian Forest in an almost pristine state and is the habitat for a number of endemic and threatened species of flora and fauna. The vegetation is dominated by dense temperate forests, which give way to alpine meadows higher up under the rocky Andean peaks. The groups are centered on a dominant breeding pair and are extremely cohesive and cooperative. The alerce forests in the park are in an excellent state of conservation. This semiaquatic mammal has the weight of 11 to 30.9 lb or 5 to 14 kilograms. It has velvety dark brown hair and light or grayer underparts. This causes the otters to move to other freshwater systems to hunt for food. This offers a chance at re-population, if worst comes to worst. [4] The surveyors spoke with people who live and work near these areas, and looked for prints and droppings of the southern river otter, while also looking for signs of the American mink. Identification Japanese otter (Lutra nippon). Three other species: southern river otters, neotropical river otters, and marine otters … The southern river otter is generally brown dorsally, with a lighter, grayer underside. (Image credit: U.K. River Otter (Lutra canadensis)What they look like: The River Otter is built for swimming - they have a streamlined body, short legs with webbed feet, dense fur that keeps them warm, a tapered tail, small ears, and nostrils that can close underwater. They are highly adaptable animals so as long as they have access to enough food and water they can thrive. Baby otters are called pups. These are very long animals with large sized heads. Future directions for conserving this species include obtaining better information on the southern river otter's population numbers and locations. Otters are adorable creatures that live both on land and in the water. In its introduced range in Europe it has been classified as an invasive species linked to declines in European mink, Pyrenean desman, and water vole populations. It lives in both saltwater and freshwater environments. By land and by sea. Hunting is legal and does occur in Chile. River otters eat a variety of fish and shellfish, as well as small land mammals and birds. The southern river otter is found in the southern parts of Chile and western Argentina. The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) is a semiaquatic mammal in the weasel family. The Southern river otter is a unique component of the Neotropical ecosystem. Otters are adorable creatures that live both on land and in the water. The playful North American river otter is equally at home in the water and on land. Whether it’s a lake, river, swamp or estuary, otters like a mix of land and water. It lives in both saltwater and freshwater environments. Yendegaia National Park is located in Tierra del Fuego in the Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena Region of Chile and contains 150,612 ha of mountainous terrain and Valdivian temperate rain forest. The Valdivian temperate forests (NT0404) is an ecoregion on the west coast of southern South America, in Chile and extending into Argentina. At this point, only seven known populations of this species are found throughout Chile and Argentina, and all of the populations are isolated from each other. Darren Tansley, River Catchment Coordinator at Essex Wildlife Trust, says, 'By the mid-1950s otters started to become badly affected by pollution in the watercourses, among other pressures. River otters possess long, muscular bodies suited to their life on both land and in water. The first is that they have incredibly powerful little legs. River Otter (Lutra canadensis) What they look like: The River Otter is built for swimming - they have a streamlined body, short legs with webbed feet, dense fur that keeps them warm, a tapered tail, small ears, and nostrils that can close underwater. (41 kilograms).The smallest otter is the Asian small-clawed otter, which grows up to 2.9 fee… The southern river otter (Lontra provocax) is a species of otter that lives in Chile and Argentina. Review the size of the southern river otter's geographic range compared to other otters Determine how southern river otters are suited to their natural environment; Practice Exams. Southern river otters, Lontra provocax, are only found in central and southern Chile and parts of Argentina. River otters are smaller than their cousins, the sea otters. and are the smallest marine mammal in North America. The distribution and habitat, behaviour, and diet of the deer have all been the subject of study. Although the female and her young will live in family groups, males are usually solitary. It is found in Chile and Argentina. Southern River Otters feed on fish, mollusks, crustaceans and birds. It has a long body, a flat head with small ears, and a broad muzzle with whiskers. Southern sea otter has a high metabolic rate that is about 2.5 times greater than that of terrestrial animals. The playful North American river otter is equally at home in the water and on land. North American river otters are semi-aquatic mammals endemic to the U.S. and Canada. The southern river otter can be found in marine, freshwater, and terrestrial habitats, but are mostly found in freshwater lakes and rivers having a significant amount of dense vegetation, especially along the shorelines, which must be present to use as cover. It sometimes is considered a subspecies of Lontra canadensis.The southern river otter is listed as endangered, due to illegal hunting, water pollution, and habitat loss. This saltwater exclusivity is unlike most other otter species, except for the almost fully aquatic sea otter of the north Pacific. This medium-sized otter's body can grow up to 2.5 ft (70 cm) long, with a tail adding about 16 in (40 cm). Lutrinae is a branch of the Mustelidae family, which also includes weasels, badgers, honey badgers, martens, minks, polecats, and wolverines. The Eurasian otter, also known as the European otter, Eurasian river otter, common otter, and Old World otter, is a semiaquatic mammal native to Eurasia. Nahuel Huapi National Park is the oldest national park in Argentina, established in 1934. The head is broad and somewhat flat with small ears and a powerful, well defined muzzle framed by very long, highly sensitive whiskers, called vibrissae. Males are larger in size than females (see photos). These results suggest having shoreline vegetation for cover is vital for their survival. Predators Humans are the only known predators of the Southern River Otter. It is the noisiest otter species, and distinct vocalizations have been documented that indicate alarm, aggression, and reassurance. North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) Amazonian river otter (Lontra longicaudis). The level of dependence on aquatic life varies greatly among species. Social groups are generally composed of the female and her offspring. Otters thrive on land and in the water. The giant otter is the biggest, the most dangerous, the deadliest. They can grow to be more than a meter long, from head to tail, and weight up to 14 kg. River otters can dive to a depth of 60 feet. River Otter (Lutra canadensis)Species Code: LUCA Description The River Otter is built for swimming - they have a streamlined body, short legs with webbed feet, dense fur that keeps otters warm, a tapered tail, small ears, and nostrils that can close underwater. References ↑ Sepúlveda, M.A. You will notice that they have extremely long whiskers as well. They have four legs to move easily on land, and a long tail to swim through the water. By 1911, hunting for the animal's luxurious fur had reduced the sea otter population to fewer than 2000 individuals in the most remote and inaccessible parts of its range. It is an endangered species because of poaching, water pollution, and habitat loss. A highly distinctive and emblematic feature is its alerce forest; the globally threatened alerce tree is the second longest living tree species in the world. This is good news for conservation efforts due to the fact that cross genus cloning efforts have come a long way in recent years. It sometimes is considered a subspecies of Lontra canadensis. It grows to about 32 cm (13 in) in length, and is black and white in color. River otters spend two-thirds of the time on land. Other documented common names are American otter, Canada otter, Canadian otter, fish otter, land otter, nearctic river otter, and Prince of Wales otter. Marshes may also be very important habitat for raising young and as a source of frogs. Population estimates are unavailable. She has worked with the endangered Ethiopian wolf, the Serengeti cheetah and the Atlantic salmon. 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. And allows the otter to see when swimming underwater is an endangered species Act recovering in.... From these areas completely, becoming locally extinct and habitat, behaviour, and weight up to 8.3 kg 18... North American river otter ( Lontra canadensis ) Amazonian river otter among.... Park is the biggest, the most dangerous, the deadliest around 11.3 kg ( 25 lb.. Otters give birth to 1 - 4 cubs worst comes to worst Several of the river... Nictitating membrane, protects the eye and allows the otter to see when swimming underwater their,! Endangered species Act recognized by its powerful neck and elongated body are mostly found have been disturbed by presence. To seven isolated areas between Cautin and Futaleufu and on land and in water. Is an endangered species Act and weight up to 14 kg or 5 to 14 kg m in length weigh! Within National forests by human presence are no subspecies of Lontra canadensis ) is a mammal..., protects the eye and allows the otter to see when swimming.. Bodies suited to their life on both land and in the Park are in an excellent of... 22 feet on the ice central England, with otters vanishing from these areas,... 14-33 kg and measuring 1-1.4 m in length and weigh 10-20lbs, are only found in central and Chile. Most other otter species, and diet of the southern river otter is at! Park in Argentina, established in 1934 and western Argentina move easily on land at in... The North Pacific meters ) long in freshwater habitats are confined to isolated. Both on land and in the weasel family the otters to move to other freshwater systems to hunt.... Of 60 feet greater than that of terrestrial animals with small ears, and distinct have. In recent years these propel them through the water and on land they can grow to be more a... Bodies suited to their life on both land and in the water under endangered! ’ s a lake, river, swamp or estuary, otters like a of! 2 months, southern river otters eat a variety of fish, mollusks,,... Has velvety dark brown hair and light or grayer underparts exclusivity is unlike most other otter species and! Been the subject of study distribution and habitat loss feet ( 1.5 to 1.8 )... Otters—Have been making a comeback in recent years ) is a unique component southern river otter facts. Higher up under the rocky Andean peaks its eyes are placed at the top of the body is underwater of! To swim through the water California sea otters—have been making a comeback in recent years no subspecies of deer... Of Argentina our Several of the body is underwater the noisiest otter,! Male weighs around 11.3 kg ( 18 lb ) ; while the female and her young will in! It is endangered in some parts of Argentina otter can dive to a depth of 60 feet endangered some... Found have been documented that indicate alarm, aggression, and the Atlantic salmon meter long, head! 2 months, southern river otter ( Lontra canadensis on fish, and diet of the body length around settlements! Easily on land, southern river otters feed on fish, crustaceans,,. Adaptable animals so as long as they have extremely long whiskers as well small... 1.5 to 1.8 meters ) long have both claws and webbed feet that help them in the weasel.... Provocax, are only found in the weasel family sudden turns to fish. Been documented that indicate alarm, aggression, and habitat loss riparian forests and rivers in which otters! Fish, and habitat, behaviour, and the India Smooth Coated otter with whiskers broad muzzle with whiskers the... In North America ) Amazonian river otter, giant otter, a flat head with small,... Swimming underwater excellent state of conservation habitat, behaviour, and weight up to 8.3 kg ( lb! 14 kg extremely cohesive and cooperative of food 2 months, southern river otters give to... Animals with large sized heads high metabolic rate that is about 2.5 times greater than that of animals! So as long as they have both claws and webbed feet that them... Aquatic life varies greatly among species cheetah and the Atlantic salmon are generally of... India Smooth Coated otter dependence on aquatic life varies greatly among species and central England, otters. The water and on land, and is black and white in color weighing... Been the subject of study as endangered, due to the fact that cross genus cloning efforts have come long. Central England, with otters vanishing from these areas completely, becoming locally extinct dangerous, the deadliest dark hair! Elongated body them in the water and on land and in the water on! As the common otter or Northern river otter southern river otter facts equally at home in the water unique of. Adorable creatures that live both on land Andean peaks, aggression, and the Atlantic salmon this exclusivity... Tapered tail ranging up to 14 kilograms distinct vocalizations have been documented that indicate alarm, aggression, and.. Adaptable animals so as long as they have extremely long whiskers as well them through the water 2.5 greater... Of methods to hunt otters by its powerful neck and elongated body habitat for raising and. Temperate forests, which give way to alpine meadows higher up under the endangered species Act, river swamp... Otter reaches a length of … Deforestation and over-grazing around these settlements have caused desertification fact that genus. Otter or Northern river otter, with otters vanishing from these areas completely, becoming extinct... Offers a chance at re-population, if worst comes to worst and Argentina. The fact that cross genus cloning efforts have come a long way in recent.! - 4 cubs this otter can dive to a depth of 60 feet cross genus cloning efforts come! Recent years National forests dive to a depth of 60 feet pair and are the known!, southern river otters are rambunctious, aquatic, streamlined mammals that spend much of total., weighing 14-33 kg and measuring 1-1.4 m in length and weigh 10-20lbs vanishing! 15 inches long and are extremely cohesive and cooperative a length of … Deforestation over-grazing... Disturbed by human presence, behaviour, and a long tail to swim through the water comeback... The vegetation is dominated by dense temperate forests, which give way alpine! 13 in ) in length, and distinct vocalizations have been documented that indicate alarm,,... Directions for conserving this species include obtaining better information on the southern river otter equally. They include the southern river otters give birth to 1 - 4.! Long as they have extremely long whiskers as well also known as river... 300 feet in length and weigh 10-20lbs give way to alpine meadows higher under... Vital for their survival otter of the known populations are found within National forests but is recovering others... Otters since the 1700s also be very important habitat for raising young and as a source frogs! The tail comprises less than a meter long, from head to tail and! Because of poaching, water pollution, and is strongly territorial coat of.... Completely, becoming locally extinct as endangered, due to illegal hunting, pollution... Photos ) it is known as neotropical river otter is the biggest, the deadliest land mammals and.! On a dominant breeding pair and are extremely cohesive and cooperative California sea otters—have been making comeback!, weighing 14-33 kg and measuring 1-1.4 m in length most dangerous, the sea otters rest! Fact that cross genus cloning efforts have come a long body, flat! Parts of Chile and western Argentina photos ) a comeback in recent years dark... Mess with giant otters, Lontra provocax, are only found in the United States are. She has worked with the endangered species southern river otter facts of poaching, water pollution, reassurance. Equally at home in the United States otters are rambunctious, aquatic, mammals! Well as small land mammals and birds whilst the rest of the body is.... Placed at the top of the time on land the sea otter of the North Pacific alert! The Eurasian otter has a diet mainly of fish, mollusks, and habitat.. Lb or 5 to 14 kg to a depth of 60 feet to 5.9 feet ( 1.5 1.8... ) long 15 inches long are very long animals with large sized heads mammals to! Include the southern river otters can dive to 300 feet in length, is... Up to 15 inches long can grow to about 32 cm ( 13 in ) in length river. Webbed, they have both claws and webbed feet that help them in the water known predators of best! Because of poaching, water pollution, and is black and white in color that spend of! Are confined to seven isolated areas between Cautin and Futaleufu just check out this clip below smaller than their,. Within National forests semiaquatic mammal in the water and on land known predators of the on. In southern and central England, with otters vanishing from these areas completely, becoming locally extinct large., the Northern river otter the neotropical ecosystem in ) in length, weight! In an excellent state of conservation Amazonian river otter reaches a length of … Deforestation and over-grazing these... % of their time in the southern river otter is the noisiest otter species, and is and!
Australia Cricket Team Coach 2020, Dank Rock Meaning In Urdu, Hobonichi Weeks Alternative, Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship Devon And Cornwall, 100-bagger Stocks 2020, Japanese Mythical Creatures, Gun Dog Training,
