When do river otters give birth

They have short legs, webbed feet for faster swimming, and a long, narrow body and flattened head for streamlined movement in the water. A long, strong tail helps propels the otter through the water. They can stay underwater for as many as eight minutes. North American river otters have long whiskers, which they use to detect prey in dark or cloudy water, and clawed feet for grasping onto slippery prey. They are very flexible and can make sharp, sudden turns that help them catch fish.

Their fur is dark brown over much of the body, and lighter brown on the belly and face. On land a river otter can run at speeds of up to 15 miles 24 kilometers an hour—they can slide even faster.

Their playful snow and mud sliding, tail chasing, water play, and snow burrowing activities also serve other purposes—they help strengthen social bonds and let young otters practice hunting techniques. A river otter can grow three to four feet 0. Males are generally larger than females. The tail makes up about a third of their total length.

They can thrive in any water habitat, such as ponds, marshes, lakes, rivers, and estuaries—in cold, warm, or even high-elevation areas—as long as the habitat provides adequate food.

River otter dens are along the water in abandoned burrows or empty hollows. River otters can measure up to 1. They have brown, water-repellent fur, webbed feet and long tails. Their underbody is usually lighter in colour. Their tiny ears close under water, and their thick fur helps keep them warm in cold water.

Long whiskers help them find fish, clams, insects and other aquatic animals. River otters can be found throughout North America. In Canada, they can be found in every province and territory except Prince Edward Island, where they appear to be extirpated. Animals This frog mysteriously re-evolved a full set of teeth.

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Magazine How one image captures 21 hours of a volcanic eruption. Science Why it's so hard to treat pain in infants. Under and near bridges On banksides On boulders or rocks either in or near a river On old tree stumps or logs At either end of shortcut paths On gravel banks or sand and muddy areas Around ponds and lakes In marshes or reed beds At river junctions or intersections. When out looking for otters, please follow to this safety advice:. Otters A brief species factfile. Threats and challenges Unfortunately, even though the species has made a distinct comeback and is now found often in our rivers, wild otters rarely live beyond 4 years of age.

How and where to spot wild otters. The best places to find otters and their signs are: Under and near bridges On banksides On boulders or rocks either in or near a river On old tree stumps or logs At either end of shortcut paths On gravel banks or sand and muddy areas Around ponds and lakes In marshes or reed beds At river junctions or intersections.

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