Otter | The Canadian Encyclopedia

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Otter

 The river otter (Lutra canadensis) occurs throughout North America except in desert and arid tundra regions. In Canada it is scarce, except along the BC coast, where it is abundant and often wrongly identified as a sea otter.
River Otters
Pair of North American river otters (Lontra canadensis) on a dock - Haliburton, Ontario.
Otter Distribution
Otter
In Canada the otter is scarce, except along the BC coast, where it is abundant and often wrongly identified as a sea otter (Corel Professional Photos).
Otter, River
The river otter's diet is almost entirely fish (artwork by Claire Tremblay).

The river otter (Lutra canadensis) occurs throughout N America except in desert and arid tundra regions. In Canada it is scarce, except along the BC coast, where it is abundant and often wrongly identified as a sea otter.

Description

The otter is a large weasel, males reaching 1.3 m in length and weighing 8 kg; females are slightly smaller. Its colour is dark brown, with a paler belly. It is amphibious, its streamlined body and tail, short legs, webbed feet and dense waterproof fur equipping it to hunt in water. The otter's food is 90% fish, but crustaceans, amphibians, mammals and nesting birds are also important.

Reproduction and Development

The otter has a lengthy mating period in late winter and spring; gestation including a lengthy period of delayed implantation, lasts 9½-12½ months. Young (1-4) are born in a nest under a rock pile or in a burrow or similar shelter.

Relationship with Humans

The pelage is dense and protected by long guard hairs with an underfur of several fine hairs per follicle. It is valued as a beautiful and durable fur; several thousand otters are trapped each year. Where not harassed, otters tame easily. They are abundant even in such busy harbours as Vancouver. See also Fur trapping.

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