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Average
weight
11-30 pounds
Favorite
food
Crayfish
Fish
Length of
time an otter can stay under water.
2 minutes
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| River otters are the most playful animals in the Boreal Forest
. In the winter they slide on their bellies on the ice to make
travel much faster. In fact, when they get up enough speed they can
run and slide a distance of 27 feet! |
Click on photo to enlarge
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Today we saw an otter playing out on the ice. For several minutes he did
not see us, and we were able to watch as he ran and slid on his belly, only
to get up and run some more. Finally, Saylix caught wind of the otter, and
in his excitement caught the otters attention. When the otter realized we
where watching, he quickly disappeared through a hole in the ice.
| Otters
are part of the same family of animals as weasels, badgers, and pine
martens known as mustelids. They have streamlined bodies that allow
them to be excellent swimmers. They weigh between 11-30 pounds with
the males weighing more than the females. Otters
are dark brown with paler brown bellies. The otter we saw today was
probably be a male because we think he weighed between 20 and 25 pounds. |
Click on photo to enlarge
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They have small eyes and ears and long tails. Their ears and noses have
adapted to keep water out with valves that close when they are underwater.
Otters
have very noticeable whiskers that are long and white. Not only are otters
the most playful animals, they are also very cute!
River otters are found in lakes, streams, rivers, and ponds in forested
areas. They also spend a lot of time on land.
River otters are found all along the east coast of the US, northern parts
of the Midwest, in the Pacific Northwest, and most of Canada. They live
in
dens
along the banks of rivers and lakes. Sometimes otters will dig
their own
dens
, or else use hollow logs, overhanging roots, or other empty
animal burrows
. The
dens
have underwater and aboveground entrances. During
the winter, otters can breathe in the space between the bottom of the
ice and the lowering water.
The Wilderness Classroom Organization
4605 Grand Ave.
Western Springs, IL 60558
(630) 204-0420
info@wildernessclassroom.com
All content copyright (c) The Wilderness Classroom, 2002. All
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