Photo Credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Lontra canadensis DESCRIPTION: The northern river otter (Lutra
canadensis) is a member of the weasel family. Adult body weights
vary greatly, but normally range from 11 to 33 pounds. Females
are approximately one-third smaller than males. Their ears are
small and almost inconspicuous. They have small heads that widen
through the neck into a long, thickset but streamlined body.
Their tails are muscular, dorsally flattened and tapered. The
tail makes up approximately 40 percent of the otter’s total
length, which ranges from three to four-and-one-half feet. They
can drink while under water due to a special valve in their
nose. Otters have sharp claws and webbing between toes on all
four feet. They have sharp canine teeth to catch and hold their
prey. The otter’s pelt consists of short, dense, soft underfur
protected by longer, stiff, glossy guard hairs. Air trapped
within the fur acts as insulation when the otter is submerged.
Frequent grooming retain