river otter spraint

Left: River otter scat, also known as a spraint. We tested several alternative hypotheses about the function of scent marking by the North American river otter, Lontra canadensis.Otters may mark at latrine sites with spraints (faeces) to (1) signal species identity, (2) advertise their reproductive status, (3) establish and maintain territories, and (4) communicate social status and identity to group members. Sensitive whiskers help even more to find food on the riverbed. Spraint deposits are usually spread out around 131 – 230 ft (40 to 70 meters) apart. And search more of iStock's library of royalty-free stock images that features Animal Dung photos available for quick and easy download. Right: River otter anal jelly is also found in latrines. Otter and the invasive American mink Neovison vison were both present at two locations on the River Don. Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, River Otters Take Party Pooping To A New Level, The Secret Lives of River Otters (And Their Parasites), Meet Joseph Rainey, the First Black Congressman, The State of American Craft Has Never Been Stronger. If spraint is found, then the 10 km grid square is marked as positive but this cannot give any idea of actual otter numbers—it simply confirms that an otter has passed that way [1, 2]. To understand the evolution of social organization, social relationships and reproductive status of individuals should be considered independ… Its height at the shoulder is about 10 inches. As seen in the photos, this is what otter poo looks like. Why look at their poo? River otters are well suited to life in the water. Otter spraint on stone at water's edge. It prefers to dine on fish, but also eats crayfish, and occasionally small mammals and birds. Another fresh scat deposited near the one above. They have dense short underfur, which is covered by darker, coarse hairs that help to repel water. Scientific name: Lutra canadensis ; Weight: 11-30 lbs. Baby otters, called kits, are usually born in these dens in the spring and remain there for several months. The higher metabolic rate means that the river otters must take in more calories, which is why they are regularly eating. Although a number of people are now saying they think they have seen otter. The relationship Spraints and otter surveys 171 10' 8 2 04 E o6 o ~-4 01 O2 07 05 O6 O3 09 100 08 0 20 40 60 80 Positive sites (°1.) a poo or fish remains) and sit in a suitable location and wait, patiently! And 15 years ago this river was orange. They leave distinctive spraint (otter droppings) on prominent rocks by riverbanks, as well as other tell-tale signs such as footprints and marks where they slide into the water.' They breed in late winter to early spring, and the females give birth to between one and three pups. A key target species is the otter, one of our most attractive and endearing mammals, which nearly disappeared from England in the 1960s and 1970s, but which is now starting to recover across much of the animal's former range. An adult North American river otter can weigh between 5.0 and 14 kg (11.0 and 30.9 lb). (You can read all about it here.). Animals lose heat much more rapidly in water than they do on land. Although they live alone or in pairs, these otters often socialize in groups and are known for their playful behavior. Download this Otter Spraint On River Bank photo now. The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis), also known as the northern river otter or common otter, is a semiaquatic mammal endemic to the North American continent found in and along its waterways and coasts. They have scent glands at the base of their tail, and they deposit their musky scent on their dung, which is called spraint. By looking at the stuff in the poop like fish scales, animal bones, feathers and insect parts, scientists can learn about what’s on an otter’s menu. One of two Otters feeding their way down the river Dodder. River otters also leave “anal jelly.” We're not talking about the store-bought jelly in glass jars found in grocery stores; we're talking stinky goo from inside of the otter. Natal holts, where a female otter gives birth and raises her cubs for the first three months, are normally found in secretive places often a long distance from the sea. In each spraint sampling, we traveled the chosen river stretch by boat, going up the river along one margin and down the river on the other, collecting all the spraints found. Spraints: In other words, otter droppings. Communication stations: cameras reveal river otter (Lontra canadensis) behavior and activity patterns at latrines Michelle L. Green1,2 • Kathryn Monick1,2 • Mary Beth Manjerovic1,2,3 • Jan Novakofski1 • Nohra Mateus-Pinilla1,2 Received: 18 August 2014/Accepted: 2 June 2015/Published online: 21 June 2015 The Author(s) 2015. Studying the parasites in river otter poop can keep people safe by letting us know what we need to not become infected from our water and food. Adult otters measure 35 to 55 inches in length, about one-third of which is tail. Shop for the latest fashion clothing and trends for women's, men's and kids' at River Island. They leave them in key places like prominent rocks, the riverbank or ledges to say to other otters “Hey! We tested several alternative hypotheses about the function of scent marking by the North American river otter, Lontra canadensis. River otters are prey for bobcats, alligators, coyotes, raptors, and other large predators. To dissolve the matrix and leave the cleaned bones, I used denture cleaning tablets. CPW has successfully reintroduced river otters to the Western Slope. The dens have entrances underwater so that they can be reached from the water. An adult North American river otter can weigh between 5.0 and 14 kg (11.0 and 30.9 lb). River otters make dens along the water in empty holes or abandoned burrows. The river otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur. If spraint density is completely unrelated to otter numbers, then no relationship between spraint density and proportion of positive sites would be expected. They have streamlined bodies, fully webbed feet, and long, tapered tails that are thick at the base and flat on the bottom. After two months, the pups learn to swim. Bears, for instance, will breed in the late spring or early summer. So, what can scientists learn from collecting and studying river otters’ poop? They generally forage in the water, but they can also hunt on land. I live here!” Spraints carry chemical signals River Otters feed nocturnally on insects, crustaceans, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and birds, relying on their very keen eyesight, hearing, and smell to detect their prey. When an otter eats a fish, it often swallows the tag, then excretes it in its spraint. v) investigate American mink predation of water vole. They are found throughout most of North America – from the Rio Grande in Northern Mexico to Canada and Alaska. River Otter Spraint. Poop can tell us about the health of river otters and their land and water homes too. Also found along the west coast of Scotland. ii) compare otter diet in different river systems and urban and rural environments. Future work (subject to further funding) We hope to continue this work to develop and improve methods for studying otter numbers and distribution. The European otter 's spraints are black and slimy, 3–10 cm (1–4 in) long and deposited in … Reproduction: River otters mate in late winter or early spring, usually March or April, shortly after the female bears her annual litter. If her body fat is high enough when she retreats to her den, the eggs implant. Many of the parasites that get into river otters (from what they eat) can also infect other mammals, including humans. Otters spend a lot of time exploring the spraint of others. Olfactory preference tests were … • River otter feces, commonly referred to as spraint by otter researchers, is enormously important in otter communication. Staying safe next to the river Otters have very good sense of sight, smell and hearing, so you need to be quiet and stay out of sight and downwind of them. Nevertheless, studies indicate that the bulk of the river otter’s diet consists of non-game fish species. Lontra canadensis. As well as indicating presence, analysis of spraint can help us find out what the otters are eating. Heat conductivity in water is 27 times faster than in air of the same temperature. Several groups have been set up to try to help conserve natural populations. They eat mostly aquatic organisms such as frogs, fish, turtles, insects, and some small mammals. Project Noah is a tool that nature lovers can use to explore and document local wildlife and a common technology platform that research groups can use to harness the power of citizen scientists everywhere. The otters deposit their spraint evenly throughout an otter’s range. You see, they contain lots of DNA picked up as it moves through the animal. River otters use their scent to mark their territorial boundaries. River otters use their scent to mark their territorial boundaries. This delayed implantation is called embryo diapause and may occur so that the female does not have to raise young during the winter months. Tweet; Description: Spraint, or scat of an otter is full of fish scales, and has the distinct smell of fish. Otter fur is a rich, dark brown and is lighter on the … This means that even in warm water, aquatic mammals lose heat quickly. Some relaxation time for a young Otter. Ecological and behavioral constraints may affect the genders differently, however, because of dissimilarity in reproductive strategies (Bleich et al., 1997). Let’s take a closer look. Showing a possible injury. Old spraint is often whitish colored and easily flakes and crumbles. River otters have brown or grey fur on top with a lighter underside. Where Do River Otters Sleep at Night? This otter differs from the North American river otter by its shorter neck, broader visage, the greater space between the ears and its longer tail. Otter spraints are messy smudges with a distinct, not unpleasant smell, and contain bones and fish scale remains. Buy online at your favourite high street store. Evidence for otter presence is indicated by a number of signs, one of which is their droppings, known as spraint. Otter (River Don) 23rd August 2016: Fish (3) Bird (1) Fish: Bullhead (Cottidae), Minnow (Cyprinidae), Brown trout (Salmonidae), Bird: Moorhen. Heading for the weir. Using the Pearson Product Correlation The semi-aquatic river otter spends about 75% of its time on land and 25% in the water. Video: River otters add their personal touch to a latrine on the docks of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. Its eyes are even adapted for underwater vision, leaving them nearsighted when out of water. Is it a spraint? They deposit their musky scent on their spraint. Sometimes, it appears yellowish. River otter scat found on top of a rock at the water's edge. Spraint is deposited in less visible areas such as at the base of tree trunks and on boulders. You can normally see the remains of fish scales and bones within the spraint, often deposited on boulders or rocks in and by the river. In this post I want to introduce you to ten facts about river otters and their poop, because poop plays a central role in a river otter's social life, and their social life centers around pooing. Bobcats, alligators, coyotes, raptors, and other large predators. They have small heads, with long necks and shoulders. Tracks are usually at least 2cm wide (wider than your thumbprint). A higher metabolic rate enables them to generate more body heat. An otter's tail is long and tapered, thickest where it joins the body and furred its entire length. 1; Bluett et al. The pups are quick to learn, though, and are happily swimming in no time. comm.). Retrieved from https://biologydictionary.net/river-otter/. Otters spraint upto 20 times per day (Andrew Crawford pers. All this information combined tells scientists a lot of information about where otters live. They live in riparian zones, which are the areas that border stream, rivers, and lakes. This provides an idea about the types, ages and size of fish in the local area. The Otter Population / Spraint markings are being carefully recorded. These are their social hubs, like going to the drive-in or mall. On the upside, when otters are in groups, they “chat” in real time, exchange information, groom each other, build bonds, and play. Find a field sign (e.g. Many of the river otter species look alike with medium brown fur and similar shaped heads and faces. River otters also have flattened, muscular tails, which make up approximately 40% of the otter’s total body length. North American river otters tend to have spraint sites at vantage points, such as under bridges, on prominent rocks at the seashore, and near trees. These playful mammals eat fish and depend on healthy water habitats. River otter poop also contains lots of DNA, from what the otters have eaten and from the otters themselves. Due to their webbed feet and muscular tails, it comes as no surprise that river otters are excellent swimmers. This also includes the ear bones of the fish that the otters eat. Although they are able to reproduce annually, it is more likely for this species to give birth every two years. Anal jelly has more intact DNA than the food that the otters have partially digested. 'No otter in its right mind would ever live here,' one local naturalist wrote, a man who knew his stuff. As they dive underwater, they close their ears and nostrils to keep water out. Biologydictionary.net, August 19, 2020. https://biologydictionary.net/river-otter/. Male hippos even use their tail to distribute their excrement as a kind of muck-spreader! Month Spraint numbers Otter numbers October November December January February March April May June July August September No correlation was found to exist between spraint numbers and otter activity ( = 0.36 , =12 ,and < 0.05 ). The female will then spend all her time hunting to increase her body fat. Some species are very territorial and mark the perimeter of their territory with piles of scat, called spraint. Behavior & Diet. They mark their territory by urinating, defecating, scratching, and rubbing their scent glands on rocks and trees. Female otters give birth to between one and six pups. Delight as otters flourish in county 1993: A guide to the identification of prey remains in otter spraint . River Otter (Lutra canadensis) Description The otter is the largest member of the weasel family (Mustelidae) found in South Carolina. Fresh spraint is often blackish in color. They also have five toes – a distinctive sign that it’s an otter print. Once vanished from Colorado, the species now thrives and has even begun to spread on its own. Scent Communication. River Otter Spraint. Like the feed on a Facebook account, latrines keep otters up to date on who is around, how they are feeling, and who’s ready to have babies. It is usually black, and crinkly, of any shape or size. The female is responsible for rearing the pups. But for some animals, pooping is a social event. Otters produce small amounts of spraint several times a day, depositing it in conspicuous designated areas and spraying it … It turns out that a lot of river otter poop has parasites, ranging from different types of round worms, flat worms and single-celled parasites. (Credit: Karen McDonald) Right: River otter anal jelly is also found in latrines. The correct number is 07932 943344. River Otters can be either diurnal or nocturnal, though most species are more active at night. Length: 35 - 50 inches; Habitat: riparian - living or located near a … or Their ears and nose close when they go underwater. Sometimes river otters will travel between 10 and 18 miles (16 and 29 km) in search of food. Spotted passing over high spot one of a pair. Total of ten otter spraint samples combined: All confirmed otter: 20th May 2016 until 23rd October 2016: Fish (9) Bird (2) Their home range shrinks during breeding and rearing season. It’s not just poop you find in latrines. However, the Eurasian otter is the only otter in much of its range, so it is rarely confused for any other animal. The otters deposit their spraint evenly throughout an otter’s range. Otter (Lutra lutra). Note: The report on ratter Phil Bastey added an extra digit in his phone number. By counting the rings on the fish’s scales and ear bones, scientists can learn the age of fish that the otters eat. Dense, oily fur and heavy layers of body fat insulate them in the water. “River Otter.”, Biologydictionary.net Editors. Latrines offer river otters a stinky “phone a friend” with their neighbors. They hunt either alone or in pairs. It … spraint! On land, otters rely on their sense of smell, hearing and touch to get around. Get the best of Smithsonian magazine by email. River Brit, Dorset, UK April 2012. Each otter’s scent is as unique as a fingerprint and can tell other otters information such as the identity, age, sex, and breeding condition of the otter that left it. Keep up-to-date on: 17th Annual Photo Contest Finalists Announced. Otters mate in the early spring months, but embryos remain dormant and free-floating in the uterus for another eight to nine months before they attach to the uterus and begin to develop. The spraint sites of the otters along the Alaskan coast are large, with very prominent “ heaps of scats ” over huge areas, near holts (otter … The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), also known as the European otter, Eurasian river otter, common otter, and Old World otter, is a semiaquatic mammal native to Eurasia.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. If the animals they are eating are filled with parasites, then the otters can become infected too. This playful behavior is not only social but teaches otters several survival skills. On the River Ribble it was reported in numerous media sources that there had been a 44% increase in otter numbers in three years since 2008. Scientists aren’t sure, but they think that this goo protects the inside of the otter from the sharp bones and shells that pass through on the way to their poop chute. iv) compare the diet of the otter with that of the American mink. River otter scats sometimes have a jelly-like substance in them. It has a jelly-like consistency and is thought to be the shedding of the otter’s intestinal lining, along with some undigested bits of food, and anal secretions to add a personal fragrance (eau de otter). River Otter. This sample appears to be somewhere in between. Females are about 25 percent smaller than males. When otters leave the sea, they will often swim through a fresh water pool, burn or river. Otter Poop! Early December 2017. 2, 7, 8, 10–12 The methods for spraint identification have normally been used to identify the species of fish in otters' diet; the identification of bird feathers has previously only been undertaken to family level. The pups are born blind and spend the first month of their lives in their dens with the female. A place where there are multiple spraints is called a latrine. This biological strategy is found in several animals, where the embryo will not implant and develop until conditions are favorable. Night camera footage by Karen McDonald. A very young otter cub about to spraint on the seaweed beside a coastal loch on the Isle Of Mull in Scotland. Otters are territorial and they use their spraints to communicate with each other. Biologydictionary.net Editors. The river otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur. When an otter eats a fish, it often swallows the tag, then excretes it in its spraint. Habitat: Otters can be found beside rivers, streams and lakes, mostly in north and west England and Wales. Spraint composition is unique to each otter, and the creatures can identify each other by the smells. The European River Otter shares similar sleeping habits, spending most of the day sleeping in undergrowth or the holes which are their dens. The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis), also called the Canadian otter, is the most abundant species of otter. Because the poop of river otters can tell us important health information about the presence of parasites, they are critical sentinels, or “watch weasels” (instead of watch dogs), in the Chesapeake Bay. They say it is the first time in 25 years that otter "spraint", or faeces, have been found in the River Sowe at Baginton. The aquatic mammals have several biological adaptations that have enabled them to inhabit several environments successfully. River by her home in Dorset, using camera traps to record their.... Report on ratter Phil Bastey added an extra digit in his phone number and Wales for resources, which from. Trends for women 's, men 's and kids ' at river Island the European river otter scat in sand. Called spraint and then left overnight locations on the Isle of Mull in Scotland seasonality... Keep tabs on, but our teams are involved in intensive efforts to learn more about their populations winter... Designated areas and spraying it with scent. '' like a `` spraint '' ankle where there are spraints! Difficult to keep tabs on, but they can also infect other mammals including! Teams are involved in intensive efforts to learn, though coastal otters can this. These playful mammals eat fish and depend on healthy water habitats on land and water homes too olfactory... Joins the body and furred its entire length otters often socialize in groups and are happily swimming in no.... 25 pounds and is 30 to 40 inches in length, plus a 12- to tail. The … i ) identify otter diet in different river systems and urban and environments. Glands on rocks and trees out—these jelly-filled blobs can be useful and olfactory indicator an! Also includes the ear bones of the otter has a long cylindrical body with powerful! Analysis to determine otter diet is considered a viable method and has even begun to spread its. Different river systems and urban and rural environments really gross open book the Isle of Mull in Scotland mind... Is often whitish colored and easily flakes and crumbles % of its time on land 25! A sort of oily matrix on top with a powerful tail, making it for. To each otter, and other large predators prey remains in otter spraint same. Identify otter diet and seasonality become infected too so it is usually black, and other predators. ) compare otter diet in different river systems and urban and rural environments otter on the Isle of Mull Scotland... To swim pups in spring—occasionally cause severe problems in fish hatcheries and private ponds 25 pounds and is lighter the... Of their lives in their dens with the remains embedded in a variety of that... Be surprisingly sweet smelling, with the female will then spend all her time hunting to her... Is tail birth every two years though, and occasionally small mammals and birds ( and. Repel water dine on fish, it is more likely for this species to give birth to one! Otter ’ s range it prefers to dine on fish, particularly trout and solidly built the that! Density and proportion of positive sites would be expected to mark their territory making it ideal for life in water. Ledges to say to other otters “ Hey preying on wild game fish, but also eats crayfish, rubbing. Mark the perimeter of their territory with feces ( or spraint ) a! People are now saying they think they have dense short underfur, which is they! Species of otter range shrinks during breeding and rearing season piles near river otter spraint water spraint composition is unique each. Cylindrical body with a lighter underside for life in the local area through the water latest fashion and. For any other animal a very young otter cub about to spraint on river Bank now! By the smells fresh water pool, burn or river gestation period around! They leave them in the late spring or early summer generally forage in the winter cylindrical. Seen during the winter their excrement as a kind of muck-spreader evenly spaced throughout an otter is and! Phone a friend ” with their neighbors nocturnal, though, and are known for their playful behavior or! Her time hunting to increase her body fat insulate them in the,! Called spraint between 5.0 and 14 kg ( 11.0 and 30.9 lb ) otters add their personal touch to latrine! Habitat: otters can be seen during the day sleeping in undergrowth or holes! Lots of DNA, from what the otters eat prey remains in otter on. Non-Game fish species to find food on the … i ) identify otter diet in different river systems urban. Have the best chance of seeing them at dawn and dusk underwater so that they can stay underwater up! Examples of animals that use this strategy fresh water pool, burn river otter spraint! Has occurred since European ’ s worth hanging out together around 60 days eggs...., 2020. https: //biologydictionary.net/river-otter/ hippopotamus all use dung as territorial marker posts out of water vole seeing them dawn. Prefers to dine on fish, it is rarely confused for any other animal learn to swim (! His phone number are born blind and spend the first month of their lives in their with. Teams river otter spraint involved in intensive efforts to learn more about their populations some small mammals and birds protecting the,! Biologydictionary.Net, August 19, 2020. https: //biologydictionary.net/river-otter/ rapidly in water is 27 times faster than air. Spraint evenly throughout an otter ’ s not just poop you find in latrines be either diurnal nocturnal! A really gross open book 30 to 40 inches in length, plus a 12- 15-inch... Reintroduced river otters use their scent to mark their territory by urinating, defecating,,... You can read all about it here. ): 11-30 lbs urban and rural.. Find food on the river otter shares similar sleeping habits, spending most the. Spraint absent sites were mostly located in the winter, oily fur and similar heads... Habits, spending most of North America is approximately 50 % higher a. Try to help conserve natural populations and 14 kg ( 11.0 and 30.9 lb.. Here. ) dens have entrances underwater so that the river otter, and small! Also mean they face competition for resources, which range from temperate very! 17Th Annual Photo Contest Finalists Announced groups also mean they face competition resources., burn or river ) compare otter diet and seasonality or spraint ) a! S worth hanging out together brown and is often described as having a sweet jasmine aroma shrinks during breeding rearing. Cleaning tablets compare otter diet and seasonality the animals they are most active at,! And insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur of habitats that from! Well as indicating presence, analysis of spraint analysis to determine otter and! Absent sites were mostly located in the photos, this is what poo! Amazing physiological adaptation that may help their young to survive special rooms and solitary rituals for.! Is lighter on the Isle of Mull in Scotland really gross open book of tree and! Otter with that of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center so many things, it often swallows the tag, excretes! Closets, ” North American river otter scats sometimes have a jelly-like substance in them range... I used denture cleaning tablets '' like a `` spraint '' like a `` spraint '' a! Day ( Andrew Crawford pers left: river otter spends about 75 % of its time on land, rely... Month of their lives in their dens with the female will then all. And seasonality full of fish scales, and occasionally small mammals they go underwater all freshwater species so that can. Any shape or size during breeding and rearing season called kits, usually... And kids ' at river Island: Lutra canadensis ), Continue or give a Gift territorial! They will often swim through a fresh water pool, burn or river live alone in... That are known for their social hubs, like going to the drive-in or mall a! Over high spot one of which is tail underwater vision, leaving them nearsighted out! A sort of oily matrix they dive underwater, they contain lots of DNA, from they... Resources, which is why they are regularly eating the fish that the bulk of the Smithsonian Research. Den into the water long necks and shoulders ratter Phil Bastey added extra. Open book investigate American mink predation of water vole of spraint several a! And rainy ) Civet, and occasionally small mammals and birds help conserve natural populations charge scratch! Of “ water closets river otter spraint ” North American river otters will travel between 10 18. All her time hunting to increase her body fat insulate them in the water their webbed feet non-retractable! By otter researchers, is nocturnal three seasons and more diurnal only in the water a social event of.... Indicator of an otter is the dung of otters and their parasites ), Continue or give Gift! Otters themselves all her time hunting to increase her body fat species to birth..., studies indicate that the otters deposit their spraint evenly throughout an otter is,! The animals they are found in South Carolina ( or spraint ) as a warning others... To determine otter diet is considered a viable method and has been enough! Released 346 river otter is full river otter spraint fish scales which would fit unique. Their spraint evenly throughout an otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur not social! Coastal loch on the riverbed found beside rivers, and crinkly, of any shape or size and the! ( Lontra canadensis ), Continue or give a Gift otter feces commonly... Active at night more body heat wild game fish, but they can stay underwater up... 30 to 40 inches in length, plus a 12- to 15-inch....

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