![]() They cannot be found in arid deserts or the barren arctic. They can also be found in marine environments. Habitat: Freshwater streams, lakes, ponds, rivers, or marshes. Range: North America from the Rio Grande through Canada and Alaska. North American river otter distribution mapĬC BY-SA 4.0 / Cephas / wikimedia commons The family group will stay together for about 7-8 months total or until the mother gives birth again. It will take another month or two for them to be completely weaned. The pups will first come out of the den at about 2 months of age, at which point they will begin to swim. The family groups will stay together in the summer and early fall. Oftentimes, the male will come back after the pups have been weaned to help continue to raise them. When the pups are born, the mother will chase the male away. Afterwards, gestation takes about 60 days, and the pups will be born between March and April. ![]() There is a delayed implantation of 9-11 months. Some studies show otters mating in the summer, spring, or winter. Similarly, the breeding season isn’t known. Some studies suggest that they mate for life, while others suggest that they part a few months after mating. It’s hard to study these otters in the wild, so studies are inconclusive about how they form relationships. Generally, they will live alone or in pairs, but they will get together with other otters to play and socialize. North American River Otters are very independent, but they’re also social. The fur is also short and dense to keep them warm in cold waters. Their underside is a light shade of cream or silver. The fur is usually brownish-gray on the back and sides. The feet are fully webbed and they have sharp nails that are not able to retract. The tails are just as muscular, but are flattened. They are very muscular, but their heads are small, with long necks. North American River Otters have long, slender bodies with short legs. Weight: 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) to 33 pounds (15 kilograms) Size: 30 inches to 60 inches (76 cm to 152 cm) North American River Otter ( Lontra canadensis) Physical Description We’re about to dive into the world of otters. Who knew that otters could be so incredible? If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about these fascinatingly adorable mammals, come along. Otters also have dense fur to keep them warm while they swim, and they can even close their ears and nostrils while underwater. They can live both on land and in water, and they have webbed feet that are great for swimming. There are a few elements that all otters have that connect them, though. However, there are many other otters that you may not know about, and they are all unique. When most people think of otters, they think of the adorable sea otter that carries its pup on its belly while it swims. Otters are a carnivorous, semi-aquatic mammal that lives in bodies of water across the world like the ocean, rivers, lakes, and swamps. There are 13 species of otters around the world, but only two of those species call North America “home”. ![]()
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