North American River Otters Playing In The Snow (Lontra canadensis)

            Yellowstone National Park in Winter
Wyoming
USA

Two North American otters playing in the snow. An image of a sea otter in the first comment section for comparison. 

The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis), also known as the northern river otter or the common otter, is a semiaquatic mammal endemic to the North American continent found in and along its waterways and coasts. An adult river otter can weigh between 5.0 and 14 kg (11.0 and 30.9 lb). The river otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur.

The river otter, a member of the subfamily Lutrinae in the weasel family (Mustelidae), is equally versatile in the water and on land. It establishes a burrow close to the water's edge in river, lake, swamp, coastal shoreline, tidal flat, or estuary ecosystems. The den typically has 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.

North American river otters, like most predators, prey upon the most readily accessible species. Fish is a favored food among the otters, but they also consume various amphibians (such as salamanders and frogs), freshwater clams, mussels, snails, small turtles and crayfish. Instances of river otters eating small mammals and occasionally birds have been reported as well.

The range of the North American river otter has been significantly reduced by habitat loss, beginning with the European colonization of North America. In some regions, though, their population is controlled to allow the trapping and harvesting of otters for their pelts. River otters are very susceptible to the effects of 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 population. – Wikipedia

Taken in: United States / Wyoming / Three River Junction (show map)

Taken on: February 18, 2017

Tags:

Yellowstone National Park in Winter

2017

USA

North American River

otters

(Lontra canadensis)

Youngsters

Playing

Common Otter

Semiaquatic

Found along Waterways and Coasts

Lutrinae Family

Mustelidae

Weasal Family

Continually Under Decline in the US

Habitat Loss

Pollution

Sue Roehl

Lumix DMC-GH4

100 - 400 mm Lens

coth5

Sunrays+5

NGC « less

Sets appears in: • Yellowstone In Winter 2017

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