do they have a special respiratory system or any other metabolic adaptations to survive underwater for so long?
The right lung of the North American river otter is larger than the left, having four lobes compared with two for the left. Reduced lobulation of the lungs is presumed to be adaptive for underwater swimming. In addition, the length of the trachea of the North American river otter is intermediate between that of terrestrial carnivores and marine mammals. The mean tracheal length of the North American river otter is , or 23.2% of the body length. A shorter trachea may improve air exchange and increase lung ventilation in diving mammals.
North American river otter
The right lung of the North American river otter is larger than the left, having four lobes compared with two for the left. Reduced lobulation of the lungs is presumed to be adaptive for underwater swimming. In addition, the length of the trachea of the North American river otter is intermediate between that of terrestrial carnivores and marine mammals. The mean tracheal length of the North American river otter is , or 23.2% of the body length. A shorter trachea may improve air exchange and increase lung ventilation in diving mammals.
where do river otters live in the winter They travel drastically less during winter. is this creature a mammal, reptile, amphibian, or any other? Mammal how long can this creature live underwater? 4 minutes
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North American river otter [SEP] Form and function
North American river otters have transparent nictitating membranes to protect their eyes while swimming. The right lung of the North American river otter is larger than the left, having four lobes compared with two for the left. Reduced lobulation of the lungs is presumed to be adaptive for underwater swimming. In addition, the length of the trachea of the North American river otter is intermediate between that of terrestrial carnivores and marine mammals. The mean tracheal length of the North American river otter is , or 23.2% of the body length. A shorter trachea may improve air exchange and increase lung ventilation in diving mammals.