Northern River Otter

Lontra canadensis


Domain Eukarya: Single cell or multicellular
Kingdom Animalia: The Animalia Kingdom have tissues that do specific functions. All animals are multicellular . Some animals reproduce sexually or are diploid

Phylum Chordata: Chordates are organisms that possess a notochord. A notechord is a rod that extends mostly through the body. Chordata have bilateral symmetry. The Chordata have a digestive system and bony and an exoskeleton.

Sub-phylum Vertebrata: Vertebrata has a heart with 2-4 chambers. The main body has a head, trunk, two appendages, and a tail. Vertebrates share a chain of bony elements.

Class Mammalia: Mammalia will swim, run, bound, fly, glide, burrow, or climb for the types of moving in their environment.Mammals can have a group of tens, hundreds, thousands or more individuals.Mammals that live colder climates have to be warm and hotter dry climates have to be colder. During growing up they grow hair.The mammalian hair has protein called Keratin and has jobs for four function.The hair can also have color and patterns so it won't be seen by predators or prey.They are classified by their different teeth.

Order Carnivora: Carnivora have enlarged forth upper premolar and first lower molar for cutting meat and tendon. These are also called carnassial pair. Carnivoria are intelligent so they have a large brain.They have simple stomachs.Their forelimbs and hind limbs are paddles. They den in tree hollows, burrows, or caves.Group members can be strong to show affection for each other.

Family Mustelidae: Family Mustelidae have long bodies with short legs and slender bodies. Males are 25% bigger than Females.It has five digits and the ear are as short as the legs.The Mustelidae family is diurnal or nocturnal.With their long and narrow bodies they are quick and agile.Some are excellent climbers or excellent swimmers.

Genus Lontra: The lontra is a American River Otter.

Species: Lontra canadensis

General Decription

Habitat/What kinds of homes/Range: The North American River Otter is found with permanent food supply easy access water. They live in fresh waters like rivers, lakes, marshes, swamps, ponds, streams, wetlands along rivers. River Otter build their dens burrows of other mammals in natural hollows like in a river bank or under a log. River Otters build tunnels so they are come out and come in from the water.

Diet/how:Water animals like amphibians, fish, turtles, crayfish, insects, crabs, and other invertebrates is what they eat. Also Birds, their eggs, and small terrestrial mammals is some times eaten. Aquatic plants is also eat occasionally.River Otters capture the prey with the mouth and it is slow. They eat it very fast in the water so other animals won't eat it.

Height: 3' to 4'

Weight: 6 lbs to 30 lbs

length: 35.00 to 51.18 in.

Lifespan: 21 and older in captivity, but if they live in the wild they live to about 8 to 9 years.

Predators: Their predators are Bobcats, Coyotes, Birds, Alligators, and other large animals. Their predators are Bobcats, Coyotes, Birds, Alligators, and other large animals.

Color:The River Otter fur is brown black over the lighter color. Throat and the cheeks are golden brown.

Quick Fact: For at least eight minutes that how long they can hold their breath.

Physical Adaptations

The things that helps river otters swims that they have waterproof under fur, stiff guard hairs webbed paws, 5 toes, Having streamlined body, muscular tail that is as short as their legs, flexible body. Their long and narrow bodies they are quick to move in the water. Since they are aquatic animals have nostrils and ear that can be closed under water. That mean not like us we have to hold it. They have two fur levels one is the outer fur which protects the inner fur. The other one is just the regular fur. Flat head ,but rounded that has support form its neck that is as wide as their head. The hairs has many jobs or functions. Their vibissa are long and thick.

Behavioral Adaptations

North American River Otter are semi-aquatic mammals. Which means that they live on land and on/in water. River Otters are famous for playful antics such as mud sliding, water sports, and manipulating objects. They communicate in different way like whistles, growls, chuckles, and screams. They also communicate by body signals. River Otter build their dens burrows of other mammals in natural hollows like in a river bank or under a log to build a home. Some River Otter practice hunting for their food. The River Otters are omnivores like fish or Aquatic plants.The river otter is nocturnal so it hunt at night and mornings. Male don't help their young ,but the female do. When its 6 months it leaves its mother. River Otters breed during the mating season. They travel in groups to stay to together.


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