The North American river otter is a semiaquatic mammal in the weasel family, found in rivers, lakes, and coastal waters across most of the United States and Canada. It has a long, streamlined body, webbed feet, and a thick, water-resistant coat that let it hunt fish, crayfish, and amphibians in cold water. River otters are playful and social, often seen sliding down muddy or snowy banks, and after being trapped out of large parts of its range for fur, the species has been reintroduced successfully to many US states and is now considered of least conservation concern.
Facts
Scientific Name Conservation Status Body Size Band Activity Pattern Activity Pattern Classification
System (Realm) System (Realm) Relationship to People Living or Extinct Comparison
NatureServe Rank CITES Appendix Connections
Child Taxon Of
Lontra, Taxa Source North American River Otter (Wikidata)
In Biome
Source North American River Otter (Wikidata)
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Sources
1. EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014)
2. GBIF Species API
GBIF Species API- System (Realm): Freshwater
- System (Realm): Marine
View the Source 3. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Lontra canadensis (Animal Diversity Web)
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyConservation Status: CITES
CITES Appendix II
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive (hunted-fished)
North American river otters have been hunted for many years for their attractive and durable fur
View the Source 4. North American River Otter (Wikidata)
Wikidata- Wikidata Q327028 (P225 taxon name)
Statements section, conservation status (P141)
IUCN Red List conservation status (Wikidata property P141): least concern.
- Child Taxon Of: Lontra, Wikidata P171 (parent taxon) claim, rank=normal, target=Q1777275 (Lontra)
- In Biome: Estuary, Introduction
View the Source 5. NatureServe Explorer: Lontra canadensis
NatureServe ExplorerGlobal rank (roundedGRank)Quote, Global rank (roundedGRank)
"roundedGRank": "G5"
6. Wikipedia: North American River Otter
7. Ecological Archives E095-178 (Wilman et al. 2014): EltonTraits 1.0 mammal diet data
Ecological Archives E095-178 (Wilman et al. 2014)Row: lontra canadensis
5018 Lontra canadensis Mustelidae 0 0 10 90 0 0 0 0 0 0 Ref_110 ABC G A aquatic 1 1 0 Ref_1 ABC 8087.42 Ref_117 1
MamFuncDat.txt row Lontra canadensis, Activity columns
Lontra canadensis Mustelidae 0 0 10 90 0 0 0 0 0 0 Ref_110 ABC G A aquatic 1 1 0
View the Source 8. Human Ageing Genomic Resources, University of Liverpool: AnAge entry for Lontra canadensis
Human Ageing Genomic Resources, University of LiverpoolLifespan, ageing, and relevant traitsQuote, Lifespan, ageing, and relevant traits
Maximum longevity 27 years (captivity)
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