North American River Otter

North American River Otter

The North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis), also known as the Northern River Otter or the Common Otter, is a semi-aquatic mammal that can weigh between 5 and 14 kg (11 and 30 lb). It is found throughout North America, inhabiting inland waterways and coastal areas.

It ’s protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur. The color varies from light brown to black. The throat, chin, and lips are grayer than the rest of the body.

The river otter, a member of the weasel family, is equally versatile in the water and on land. The otter establishes a burrow close to the water’s edge in river, lake, swamp, coastal shoreline, tidal flat, or estuary ecosystems. Their dens have many tunnel openings—one of which generally allows the otter to enter and exit the body of water. Female otters give birth in these underground burrows, producing litters of one to six young.

This river otter hunts during the night and preys upon the species that are the most readily accessible. Fishes are a favored food among the otters, but they also consume various amphibians, turtles, and crayfish.

The range of the North American river otter has been significantly reduced by habitat loss, beginning with the European colonization of North America. However, in some regions their population is controlled to allow the trapping and harvesting of otters for their pelts. River otters are very susceptible to environmental pollution, which is a likely factor in the continued decline of their numbers. A number of reintroduction projects have been initiated to help stabilize the reduction in the overall river otter population.

This image was Captured in Jupiter, Florida with a Canon 450D using an EFS 55-250mm lens
Focal Length 250mm
Exposure Time 1/160s
Aperture F5.6
ISO-800
Click Images below to visit my Gallery

Thank You for Visiting my Gallery
Here are more places to find my work


Gallery Maintained by envelope150
© COPYRIGHT NOTICE: NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO REPRODUCE OR DOWNLOAD ANY IMAGES WITHOUT MY EXPRESSED WRITTEN PERMISSION.THESE IMAGES ARE NOT TO BE USED IN ADVERTISING OR MASS REPRODUCTION OF ANY FORM.

North American River Otter belongs to the following groups:

All Around Florida , All Animals Great And Small., canon 450D/XSI, Canon DSLR (One Image Per Day & A Canon Camera Must Be In The Description Before It's Accepted), Florida the Sunshine State , avatar challenge is open, For the love of Canon - 2 Images per day with type of Canon camera used, United States and Zoophoria (2 per day, approval required) Available for sale as

Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints, Framed Prints and Posters