But could river otters rely on another sense? Support our Giant Panda Program and help provide the best possible care for our little guy. animal that hunts other animals for food. Northern River Otters hunt at night, while most other otters hunt during the day. Their whiskers are extremely effective for finding prey. If you were the photographer, what would you do next to prove your prediction that otters can smell underwater? Protect local waterways by using fewer pesticides when caring for your garden or lawn. }); Some of these predators include coyotes, bobcats, birds, and humans. Any interactives on this page can only be played while you are visiting our website. The most common of which is “playing”. They have powerful tails to propel them through the water, webbed feet that act like flippers, and water repellent fur to keep them warm and dry. Provided it survives its first year of life, a typical North American river otter will live to the age of 12, with some surviving longer. River otters leave scent marks on vegetation within their home range. What is clear is that there is a delayed implantation of nine to 11 months, with actual gestation taking about 60 days. River otter bodies are perfect for swimming. They are well adapted for swimming, with their streamline bodies and valved ears and nose. She or he will best know the preferred format. River otters are playful animals. They hunt singly or in pairs and although otters generally forage in water, they are equally at home on land, sometimes traveling between 10 and 18 miles (16 and 29 kilometers) in search of food. Information about river otter breeding and reproductive and social behavior is varied due to the difficulty of studying these animals in the wild. if (document.cookie.match(/(^|;)\s*is_mobile=1/)) { They are well adapted for swimming, with their streamline bodies and valved ears and nose. If you have questions about how to cite anything on our website in your project or classroom presentation, please contact your teacher. 1145 17th Street NW Regionally extinct throughout the Midwest and heavily populated areas in the east, several states have recently begun reintroduction programs. "" A third eyelid, or nictitating membrane, protects the eye and allows the otter to see when swimming underwater. They can hold their breath for up to eight minutes. Scent marking is done by either urinating/defecating or by emitting a strong, musky odor from the paired scent glands near the base of the tail. For information on user permissions, please read our Terms of Service. Check the conservation status of the animals you hunt and use methods that don’t impact other animals. National Geographic Magazine: Britain's Otters—The Sultans of Streams, National Geographic Magazine: The Sultans of Streams, Charlie Hamilton James: Wildlife Photographer & Cameraman. They are also born knowing how to hunt. The otters hunt by seek attack. Female mammals produce milk to feed their offspring. Within each otter’s territory is their den. If you have questions about licensing content on this page, please contact ngimagecollection@natgeo.com for more information and to obtain a license. He saw what was happening in the river from small screens set up in his kitchen. Their most noticeable ability is swimming. Their dense, short under-fur is overlain by darker, coarse guard hairs that help repel water. He was lucky. Behavior. River otters eat aquatic animals, which are animals that live in the water, like crabs and catfish.Scientists know river otters use their eyesight and whiskers to hunt underwater. North American river otters are active year-round, and are most active at night and during crepuscular hours.
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