Northern River Otter

Distinguishing Features – Overall colouration, dark brown, oily fur; throat silvery colour. Long muscular body; flattened head; short legs; webbed feet; long powerful tail.

Size

Male: .93 – 1.35 m (3.1 – 4.5 ft)
Female: .87 – 1.14 m (2.9 – 3.8 ft)

Habitat

Source: pinterest.com

Throughout Northwestern Ontario, primarily in wooded shoreline areas of lakes, ponds, rivers and streams.

Diet

Primarily fish; crayfish, frogs, small rodents and birds.

Notes

The river otter is a powerful swimmer more at home in the water than on land where it is subject to predation by coyotes, wolves, lynx and bobcats.

The river otter usually produces a litter of 2 to 3 offspring once a year. An otter family is a sight to behold when one is lucky enough to see them at play in their natural habitat.