In zoos, otters are fed a meat-based commercial carnivore diet, fish, carrots, yams, potatoes, crayfish, and worms. They have brown, water-repellent fur, webbed feet and long tails. They have scent glands at the base of their tail, and they deposit their musky scent on their dung, which is called spraint. River otters use their scent to mark their territorial boundaries. Terrestrial predators of otters include black bears and a variety of Feline and Canine species, domestic… Although otters do not build them, they will sometimes use abandoned dams. After a few bumps, they can slide up to 22 feet on the ice. The most widely distributed member of the otter subfamily (Lutrinae) of the weasel family (Mustelidae), it is found in the waterways and coasts of Europe, many parts of Asia, and parts of northern Africa. River otters can be found throughout North America. The North American river otter occurs in much of Canada and the United States, except for portions of the Southwest, and in Mexico in the Rio Grande and Colorado River delta areas. This South American otter is the world's largest, at some 6 feet long. Other places you will find them lingering include around rivers, streams, and lakes. Please do not trap live otters and then drown them, as it is considered illegal in many states and is a painful way for any animal to die, which can last anywhere up to eight minutes. This group of animals is notorious for being adorable, but they are so much more than looks! River otters live in clean rivers, lakes, and marshes—wherever they … The sea otter, however, rarely comes ashore, according to the San Diego Zoo. A Sea Otter's life - Big Blue Live: Episode 2 - BBC One Although they are able to reproduce annually, it is more likely for this species to give birth every two years. They sometimes live along the coast, but they still require fresh water nearby. They will cover the area in their feces, urine, and musk to warn others away. Water whereabouts. It lives only in the rivers and creeks of the Amazon, Orinoco, and La Plata river systems. Prior to the 1950s, these fish-devouring mammals were abundant in England. All otters have webbed feet to help propel them through the water, and most species have sharp claws. These hydrodynamic members of the weasel family are voracious predators. Sea otter – This species lives on the Pacific coast of the North American continent. In local areas its presence will depend on the provision of suitable aquatic habitats, sufficient food and cover fo… Japanese culture tells a number of tales involving otters, many of them involving shape shifting. July 6, 2018. River otters as a whole look quite similar to weasels. Most otters live in dens — built by other animals, such as beavers — that are dug into the ground that have many channels and dry inner chambers. The most famous and common otter is the European, or ordinary river otter, inhabits North Africa, Europe (besides Switzerland and the Netherlands) also Asia, not meeting only on the Arabian Peninsula. When they are around one month old the pups begin to explore their den, and at two months old they learn to swim. They live in holes in river banks called holts; a holt will have a few different entrances to protect against flooding, with at least one entrance being above water level. All are cousins of badgers, weasels, minks, ferrets, wolverines, and polecats. They are able to live in a variety of different habitats, including rivers, lakes and large creeks. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Animals.NET aim to promote interest in nature and animals among children, as well as raise their awareness in conservation and environmental protection. Otters around the world have faced centuries of decline due to hunting, trapping, and habitat loss. Whether it’s a lake, river, swamp or estuary, otters like a mix of land and water. ). The Potomac River is home to one of the most adorable aquatic animals- the river otter. Humans have hunted otters for centuries. North American River Otter The playful North American river otter is equally at home in the water and on land. This makes them poor pets. They spend much of their time playing with one another and building social bonds. Where do otters live? River otters are rambunctious, aquatic, streamlined mammals that spend much of their time in the water. , fish, clams, insects and other aquatic animals otters like a mix of land water! 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