It’s probably for these reasons that the otter depends on a thick, waterproof coat and excellent hunting ability instead of a layer of blubber to keep warm. Their dense, short under-fur is overlain by darker, coarse guard hairs that help repel water. Otters have short powerful legs with webbed feet. Feel free to share them in a comment below. Their small heads widen to long necks and shoulders, and they have flattened, well-muscled tails. River otter reaches a … The species occurs broadly across much of North America and is considered reasonably secure overall. River otters belong to the weasel family. River otters generally live along rivers, as their name implies, but they're also found near streams and lakes.Otters prefer water bordered by woods and with wetlands, such as marshes, nearby. The otters are very agile in … Constantly on the move, riv… So presumably it’s a balancing act. Thanks! This animal’s lovely waterproof pelt, which allows it to regulate its temperature, in the 1700s-1800s, a regular part of French fur trade, has meant this animal has been hunted for hundreds of years. River otters also have long whiskers that help them search for food and avoid obstacles while swimming underwater. The North American river otter is a member of the weasel family. Clawless otters are relatively social. A male river otter appears to approach females indiscriminately until it finds one that is receptive. Its fur ranges in color from white and gray to brown and black. They seek streams and rivers where water does not freeze, and in ponds where water does freeze, they maintain holes in ice. How is that? Williams is also a certified emergency medical technician. Severe declines in the 1800’s from unregulated fur harvest and habitat destruction extirpated or severely reduced This post was kind of my practice for that outing – for thinking about each species’ winter adaptations. Required fields are marked *. Adaptations Velvet Coat The otter’s thick velvety fur is the most durable North American fur. Interesting Facts: • North American river otters can dive to depths of 60 feet. What Kind of Adaptions Does a Dolphin Have? What are the anatomic, behavioral, and physiological adaptations that allow North American river otters (Lontra canadensis) to thrive in the cold? Otters reach sexual maturity between two to three years of age. JAVASCRIPT IS DISABLED. Encouraged me to think more about winter adaptations of other creatures. This one was taken with a Browning Spec Ops Advantage, which I love. Perhaps because I’ll soon be leading a Winter Field Ecology program, I thought I’d think this through systematically. When traveling on land between waterways -- especially during the winter when water solidifies into ice -- river otters depend on their feet pads to provide traction when running or sliding. North American River Otters spend much of their time foraging. (Have you read Bob Arnebeck’s online post entitled: “Otters Breaching Beaver Dams?” He cites Reid, Herrero, and Code, too, plus adds his own interesting observations. These otters have brown-to-gray fur, and their undersides are a lighter, silvery shade. HTML tags allowed in your comment:
. Old beaver lodges are a popular choice. They are primarily nocturnal, but become more diurnal in winter, meaning they are active during the day and sleep at night. When river otters are not playing or swimming in water in search of food, they spend a lot of time on land grooming and resting. Trackers are familiar with slides and runs. Hi Lori! On the contrary, they are active and appear comfortable – nay, joyful – in the snow. River otters are extremely social and often frolic in the water with their mates or cubs, slide down hills on their bellies or wrestle with other otters on land. family groups. North American River Otters Sliding & Gliding. River otters are underwater acrobats that are known for their social and playful behavior and have been observed sliding down slippery slopes for fun. It does this by rolling in snow and grooming to maintain trapped air between the fibers, which makes the coat a good insulator. North American, spot-necked, smooth, and marine otters in North American zoological facilities mate during winter and spring. A really cool behavioral adaptation is cooperative foraging. Think about what you’ve seen while tracking otters, imagine what it’s like to be one in winter, and see what ideas pop into your head. At about 585 hairs per square millimeter, river otter fur is approximately 10 times denser than bobcat fur and red fox fur. The North American river otter lives in Alaska, Canada and throughout the … Be Her Village. © 2021 WILD SKY MEDIA. Their most noticeable ability is swimming. Habitat/Diet . This particular species of otter is not classified as endangered at this time, but habitat loss could be an ongoing concern. North American river otters will eat frogs, turtles, snakes, insects, small mammals and birds whenever this type of prey is readily available. Male river otters ignore females and young through most of the year. Mammal. North American river otters have adapted both physically and behaviorally to survive the long, cold winters of North America. A fast metabolic rate requires river otters to eat frequently during the day. Learn more about these playful animals that were once rare in the Commonwealth. 2009).Look below for more information on the giant otters' adapted behaviors and traits. Once a rare sight in Massachusetts, the otter … And, if the mother is struggling, the embryos may never implant. So while 60 hairs per square millimeter is sufficient for a terrestrial hunter in winter, about ten times that density is needed for an animal that hunts mostly in cold water. Perhaps she will correct me if I did.). • Determine which otter body parts and adaptations are not necessarily related to life in … The playful North American river otter is equally at home in the water and on land. Below is an example of otter slides in Minnesota. You can see an example of an otter sliding near the end of the video above. This ensures that a female will not be burdened with young offspring during winter. B. (I got the idea that embryonic diapause in some mustelids may be a winter adaptation from Rebecca Watters, author of the Wolverine Blog, when she presented in Massachusetts in January, 2020. Otters are members of the weasel (Mustelid) family. My pleasure. How Does a Platypus's Fur Help Underwater? or behavioral adaptations: River otters are able to withstand the cold waters and weather because of their coarse fur hair. However, that streamlined physique is also an asset: it lends efficiency to aquatic hunting. • They can hold their breath underwater for up to eight minutes. They have a streamed-lined body that is about 2.5 feet long and a tail that is flattened and well-muscled. What Kind of Special Skills Does the Polar Bear Have? Avoidance is a very significant factor in river otter social behavior. A wealth of otter information! Enjoy the video which prompted me to write this post, and then read on. North American River Otter North American river otters. To travel better in water, river otters developed adaptations such as four webbed feet and a propeller-like tail. The river otter’s social interactions also help it survive winter. They can also move quickly on land. River otters tend to be solitary and fairly territorial. To travel better in water, river otters developed adaptations such as four webbed feet and a propeller-like tail. They vocalize with whistles, growls, chuckles and screams. At one time, North American river otters were found throughout much of the United States and Canada. River otters have a fast metabolic rate -- almost 50 percent faster than similar-sized land mammals, according to SeaWorld. They also scent mark using paired scent glands near the base of their tails or by urinating/defecating on vegetation within their home range. This is an important adaptation because the mother, having reached adulthood, is already a “success” and therefore more important to the gene pool than her young, many of which die before reaching adulthood. The otter can close its nostrils and ears under water, and uses the sensitive whiskers around its snout to help locate prey. River Otters as Agents of Water Loss From Beaver Dams, Camera Trapping Bats with an Acoustic Trigger, Building a DSLR Camera Trap: Part 1 – Design Elements, Davis, R. D. “Metabolism and Thermoregulation.” In, Reid, D. G., S. M. Herrero and T. E. Code. They have a short thick undercoat for warmth and … North American river otters are the only river otter that is found north of Mexico. Let’s take a closer look. They are well adapted for swimming, with their streamline bodies and valved ears and nose. The most obvious physical characteristic that allows the river otter to cope with extreme cold is its dense, virtually waterproof fur coat. It makes its home in a burrow near the water's edge, and can thrive in river, lake, swamp, or estuary ecosystems. One thing the river otter must do is care for that warm, waterproof coat. However, water pollution, uncontrolled trapping and severe habitat loss have reduced the number of river otters. … It is very well adapted to life in water. Amphibious, muscular river otters swim gracefully and quickly underwater to catch prey, and they can run on land. Likewise, I enjoy your photography on facebook! The species occurs broadly across much of North America and is considered reasonably secure overall. Glad to hear that, Lynn. Flexing their long bodies up and down, paddling with their webbed hind feet, and using their feet and strong tails to steer, river otters are underwater acrobats. I am not sure if the winter coat is any thicker than the summer coat, but whether or no, the exceptionally dense undercoat keeps the otter warm and dry enough to hunt in icy cold water. Cannot wait to join you on the 1st! Male river otters ignore females and young through most of the year. A chunkier body would allow the otter to better retain heat but would also reduce its agility in water and therefore its hunting efficiency. I often wish I could hold my breath like an otter! River Otter Adaptations Concepts Animals have body parts suited for their lifestyle and habitat. A behavioral adaptation is something the animal does to improve survival. The North American river otter (Lutra canadensis) is found in almost every state, including Virginia. Thanks Becky! North American River Otter Lontra canadensis . For example, the otter’s ability to live singly or in groups may have evolved because it allows the animal to to better exploit food resources in general, and it just happens to boost winter survival in cold climates. In between bodies of water, they travel overland on well-used paths, often during the day in winter. River otters have waterproof, velvety coats that act as insulation. Yes, I read his post a while back, but should reread it, because I forget what his own observations were. North American river otters have been listed as endangered or threatened in several states but have not been listed for protection under the United States Endangered Species Act. Their toes are webbed, they have short legs and they boast a tapered tail ranging up to 15 inches long. Camera trapping and wildlife tracking. Really I am just brain storming here and I encourage you to give yourself the same freedom. River Otter Facts. This animal’s lovely waterproof pelt, which allows it to regulate its temperature, in the 1700s-1800s, a regular part of French fur trade, has meant this animal has been hunted for hundreds of years. The giant otter or giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is a South American carnivorous mammal. The giant river otter is classified as the largest of all otter speices! It is recognized by its powerful neck and elongated body. I too am looking forward to the 1st. Behavior: North American river otters have a reputation as very friendly and playful animals. River otters belong to the weasel family. Social and Territorial Behavior. This is important because river otters lose heat quickly in water, so they must constantly burn energy to replace lost heat. 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).Atypical of mustelids, the giant otter is a social species, with family groups typically supporting three to eight members. This hair helps "water-proof" them and keep them warm. What allows them to thrive in cold, snowy conditions? While diving, river otters can slow down their heart rate to sustain oxygen. 2011, Rosas et al. 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