North American River Otter Lontra Canadensis Ben Robinson

Taxonomy Order: Carnivora Order: Carnivora Family: Mustelidae Family: Mustelidae Subfamily: Lutrinae Subfamily: Lutrinae Genus: Lontra Genus: Lontra Species: Canadensis Species: Canadensis

River Otter Identification Color: Dark brown with paler belly Color: Dark brown with paler belly Throat often sliver-gray Throat often sliver-gray Total length: in Total length: in Weight: lbs Hair: very smooth, repels water easily Hair: very smooth, repels water easily Long, slender body=excellent swimmer Long, slender body=excellent swimmer

Identification continued Long, stiff facial whiskers below the nose which aid in locating and capture of prey which aid in locating and capture of prey Carnivorous teeth: adapted for grasping, grinding, shearing, and crushing Feet: large and completely webbed Tail: very muscular, important for swimming, makes up 50% of total body length Maximum body length is reached at 3-4 years Typical Foods: Fish, aquatic insects, crayfish, snakes, frogs, and to a lesser extent waterfowl and mammals.

North American River Otter Skeleton *Note the Long Tail*

River Otter Tracks

Life History Breeding: early spring; mating may take place in water or on land Breeding: early spring; mating may take place in water or on land No strong bond between male and female No strong bond between male and female Male will mate with more than one female Male will mate with more than one female Males will compete heavily for females Males will compete heavily for females Females exhibit delayed implantation Females exhibit delayed implantation

Life History continued Delayed Implantation: female may retain the fertilized egg for long periods of time before implantation to become more nutritionally fit Delayed Implantation: female may retain the fertilized egg for long periods of time before implantation to become more nutritionally fit Young: born April-May Young: born April-May litter 1-5 pups young born with eyes closed and no teeth female cares for pups pups begin to swim at 2 months weaned at 4-5 months, may stay with mother for 1 year

Life History continued Males and females are able to reproduce at 2 years, however males may not be successful until ages 5-7 Males and females are able to reproduce at 2 years, however males may not be successful until ages 5-7 Voice: Whistle and chattering call during mating season, soft chuckle, chirp, grunt, snort, and growl Voice: Whistle and chattering call during mating season, soft chuckle, chirp, grunt, snort, and growl

Sounds of the Otter Otter Otter Talk Upset Otter

Diversity of Group 13 species worldwide; 2 in North America Species Species Cape-clawless otter Oriental-small clawed otter Congo Clawless otter Sea otter North American River Otter Marine Otter Neotropical Otter Southern River Otter Eurasian Otter Spotted-necked otter Range RangeAfricaAsiaAfrica North America South America Mexico & South America South America Asia & Europe Africa

Diversity continued Species Species India smooth-coated otter Hairy-nosed otter Giant Otter Range RangeAsia Southern Iraq & Asia South America

North American Population Status and Status in Kentucky North America: River Otter numbers have drastically decreased since the 1800’s North America: River Otter numbers have drastically decreased since the 1800’s WHY? Over-harvest (trapping), Habitat Destruction, and Pollution WHY? Over-harvest (trapping), Habitat Destruction, and Pollution Over 30,000 pelts are sold annually in the United States today Over 30,000 pelts are sold annually in the United States today DDT pollution: gets into the liver and slowly kills the animal (a big problem in the past) DDT pollution: gets into the liver and slowly kills the animal (a big problem in the past) Chemicals from crops (pesticides, herbicides) get into fish from run- off and the otter eats the fish = SLOW DEATH Chemicals from crops (pesticides, herbicides) get into fish from run- off and the otter eats the fish = SLOW DEATH

Status in Kentucky Statewide, but not very common Statewide, but not very common Generally more abundant in western Kentucky Generally more abundant in western Kentucky Increasing in central and eastern restoration areas Increasing in central and eastern restoration areas

Small Game Kentucky Hunting Seasons ALL FURBEARER HUNTING & TRAPPING ALL FURBEARER HUNTING & TRAPPING Noon November 10, 2003 through noon February 29, 2004 Noon November 10, 2003 through noon February 29, 2004 (Includes raccoon, opossum, mink, muskrat, beaver, red fox, gray fox, weasel and striped skunk) (Includes raccoon, opossum, mink, muskrat, beaver, red fox, gray fox, weasel and striped skunk) *NOTE: NO River Otter*

Threatened or Endangered Not federally threatened or endangered, but could become so due to drastic declines in numbers! Are listed as threatened by some individual states. Not federally threatened or endangered, but could become so due to drastic declines in numbers! Are listed as threatened by some individual states.

Wetland Habitat Needs Found in a variety of aquatic habitats: from riparian to riverine to marine Found in a variety of aquatic habitats: from riparian to riverine to marine Only found in areas with adequate vegetative cover Only found in areas with adequate vegetative cover Must have sufficient food supply Must have sufficient food supply Need a variety of dens, activity, and resting areas Need a variety of dens, activity, and resting areas

Ecology The River Otter is a predator at the top of the aquatic food chain The River Otter is a predator at the top of the aquatic food chain Important in the nutrient cycle by transferring nutrients from one ecosystem to another Important in the nutrient cycle by transferring nutrients from one ecosystem to another Does this by feeding on aquatic organisms, then leaves its waste on land

Ecology continued River otters frequent the same terrestrial area to deposit waste; known as a latrine River otters frequent the same terrestrial area to deposit waste; known as a latrine Even though Otters are predators, the pups are constantly preyed upon by Bald Eagles and other large birds Even though Otters are predators, the pups are constantly preyed upon by Bald Eagles and other large birds

Management Concerns Most states have strict regulations on otter harvest Most states have strict regulations on otter harvest However, they are less strict on beaver harvest However, they are less strict on beaver harvest Otters and Beavers occupy the same habitat types = otters being trapped in beaver sets Otters and Beavers occupy the same habitat types = otters being trapped in beaver sets Because otters (carnivores) require more habitat area than say beavers or muskrats (herbivores), they will never be as abundant as these animals Because otters (carnivores) require more habitat area than say beavers or muskrats (herbivores), they will never be as abundant as these animals

Management Concerns What is being done? Many states closely monitor otter numbers Many states closely monitor otter numbers HOW? HOW? 1)Pelt Regristration 2)Fur buyer and trapper questionnaires 3)Winter track counts 4)Mammal observation studies

Latrine System The latrine system “bathroom” used by otters is one technique used by managers to monitor the abundance of otters in an area The latrine system “bathroom” used by otters is one technique used by managers to monitor the abundance of otters in an area According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, River Otter habitat selection and population monitoring can be achieved by studying latrine sites According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, River Otter habitat selection and population monitoring can be achieved by studying latrine sites

Thank you for your time…Any questions?