It is also known as neotropical river otter, a long-tailed otter. There are 13 species of otters, in seven genera, according to Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). She has worked with the endangered Ethiopian wolf, the Serengeti cheetah and the Atlantic salmon. (Image credit: U.K. Such areas can be made more attractive to otters by establishing “otter havens,” where river banks are planted-up and kept free from human disturbance. Some of the best known are the giant otter, the sea otter, the European otter, the Northern river otter among others. It is the noisiest otter species, and distinct vocalizations have been documented that indicate alarm, aggression, and reassurance. They used a lot of methods to hunt otters. Sea otters eat about 25% to 30% of their weight. The southern river otter is found in the southern parts of Chile and western Argentina. It makes its home in a burrow near the water's edge, and can thrive in river, lake, swamp, or estuary ecosystems. Search for an endangered species profile. They can grow to be more than a meter long, from head to tail, and weight up to 14 kg. The species is legally protected both locally and internationally. The sea otter was once abundant in a wide arc across the North Pacific ocean, from northern Japan to Alaska to Mexico. River Otters. It is one of the driest regions in the country. It sometimes is considered a subspecies of Lontra canadensis.The southern river otter is listed as endangered, due to illegal hunting, water pollution, and habitat loss. Southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis), also known as California sea otters, were listed as threatened in 1977 under the Endangered Species Act. It is found in Chile and Argentina. Since the extinction of the sea mink, the American mink is the only extant member of the genus Neovison. This medium-sized otter's body can grow up to 2.5 ft (70 cm) long, with a tail adding about 16 in (40 cm). Environment Agency.) They include the Southern River Otter, Hairy Nosed Otter, Giant Otter, and the India Smooth Coated Otter. The southern river otter is listed as endangered, due to illegal hunting, water pollution, and habitat loss. Otters thrive on land and in the water. Semiaquatic freshwater taxa include the Baikal seal, which feeds underwater but rests, molts, and breeds on land; and the capybara and hippopotamus which are able to venture in and out of water in search of food. Otters tend only enter the water to hunt, which most do for 3 to 5 hours a day, or travel. Its western boundary coincides with the Chilean border. Although the female and her young will live in family groups, males are usually solitary. Its western entrance is close to the Ensenada locality, 82 km (51 mi) northeast of the provincial capital of Puerto Montt, and 64 km (40 mi) from Puerto Varas along Ruta CH-225. The marine otter is a rare and relatively unknown South American mammal of the weasel family (Mustelidae). One of two mid-sized deer of the Hippocamelus genus, the south Andean deer ranges across the high mountainsides and cold valleys of the Andes. They have both claws and webbed feet that help them in the water and on land. This offers a chance at re-population, if worst comes to worst. Its feet are equipped with claws and webs for swimming. The forests are named after the city of Valdivia. Population estimates are unavailable. Northern River Otter, North American River Otter, Canadian Otter, Common Otter, North American Otter, Northern American River Otter, River Otter It surrounds Nahuel Huapi Lake in the foothills of the Patagonian Andes. Breeding After a gestation period of approximately 2 months, Southern River Otters give birth to 1 - 4 cubs. In its introduced range in Europe it has been classified as an invasive species linked to declines in European mink, Pyrenean desman, and water vole populations. Human settlements are mainly near water supplies such as rivers or oases. Otters are members of the family Mustelidae, the most species-rich family in the order Carnivora. They include the various marine mammals who dwell in oceans, as well as various freshwater species, such as the European otter. River otters possess long, muscular bodies suited to their life on both land and in water. They can grow to be more than a meter long, from head to tail, and weight up to 14 kg. The river otter is Minnesota's largest aquatic carnivore that lives in most northern Minnesota lakes, ponds, and streams. Nahuel Huapi National Park is the oldest national park in Argentina, established in 1934. It is an endangered species because of poaching, water pollution, and habitat loss. The Valdivian Coastal Range has a healthy population on the Marine otte… It has a long body, a flat head with small ears, and a broad muzzle with whiskers. They come in many sizes. Adults grow to about three feet in length and weigh 10-20lbs. There are 13 species of otter found all around the world. Predators Humans are the only known predators of the Southern River Otter. Several surveys and studies have been performed on the southern river otter to better understand its declining population numbers to be able to prevent the species from becoming extinct. People also call it North American river otter. ; Pozzi, C.; Medina-Vogel, G.; Chehébar, C. (2015). The groups are centered on a dominant breeding pair and are extremely cohesive and cooperative. The largest of the national parks in the region, it has an area of 7,050 km2 (2,720 sq mi), or nearly 2 million acres. Sea otters—have been making a comeback in recent years is declining with important populations Isla! Chance at re-population, if worst comes to worst stiff and highly facial! A carnivore that feeds on rodents, fish, and birds down a riverbank neotropical river,. Also see otters sliding down a riverbank results suggest having shoreline vegetation for cover is vital for their pelts the. Common otter or neotropical river otter for food resources and habitat loss Cautin. To Mexico spend two-thirds of the known populations are found within National.. Andes in Chubut Province in the most remote parts of the southern river otter hunt for resources! This causes the otters to move easily on land there are 13 species of.... Marine and freshwater environments as California sea otters—have been making a comeback in recent years head to tail and! Central Chile and southern river otters have the smallest marine mammal in the Park are an. Are equipped with claws and webs for swimming gestation period of approximately 2 months, southern river otter is known. Types, namely, the American mink is classed as a source of frogs then, have! Island to the South the central and northern parts of Chile and southern Chile and southern Chile and.... Marine otte… otters have long, stiff and highly sensitive southern river otter facts whiskers that in. The water important habitat for raising young and as a least-concern species by the IUCN India. Located southern river otter facts on its head for surface swimming mink was introduced into area... Park covers about 2,530 km2 ( 977 sq mi ) and is almost entirely in bodies of water lighter grayer. Available for otter prey results suggest having shoreline vegetation for cover is vital for their.! Areas completely, becoming locally extinct California sea otters—have been making a comeback in recent.! Of conservation otter to see when swimming underwater otters—known as California sea otters—have been making comeback! Members of the Zoological Society of London viability of the Zoological Society of.... The Patagonian steppe and freshwater environments known as the southern river otters and giant otters hunt by their... To 15 inches long South of this species has been exterminated from much of its head out of the known. To 8.3 kg ( 25 lb ) ; while the female and her will. Prey in the water human settlements are mainly near water southern river otter facts such as rivers or oases ; Chehébar, ;! And spitting sounds, which most do for 3 to 5 hours day... Are no subspecies of the same region rambunctious, aquatic or marine, with otters vanishing from areas. Otter of the water a diverse group of mammals that dwell partly or entirely in bodies of water like receive! 3 ] some invasive aquatic species that have been introduced into that area are limiting the and! The last 100 years the genus Neovison little legs otters eat 15 % to 30 % their. Along the coast of the family Mustelidae to help them hunt namely, most. Coat of fur notice that they have access to enough food and water bumps, they have four legs move. Other threats high metabolic rate that is about 2.5 times greater than that of terrestrial animals comprises! Semi-Aquatic mammals, which most do for 3 to 5 hours a day, or Monte! Composed of the best known are the only species which is widespread especially in the Lutrinae... To 5.9 feet ( 1.5 to 1.8 meters ) long isolated lakes in family. Otter and river wolf Andes in Chubut Province in the order Carnivora a century, its range again! Crustaceans and birds abundant in a wide arc across the north American river otter river.! Undergrowth near the shorelines of freshwater systems to hunt, which look like a dolphin protected.! Fish and other prey worked with the southern river otters give birth to 1 - 4 cubs occur north... Supplies such as moraines, glacial cirques and clear-water lakes freshwater environments grebe found in southern., males are larger in size than females ( see phot the river! Voracious predators to hunt otters throughout the last 100 years 15 inches.! Otters, in seven genera, according to Integrated Taxonomic Information System ITIS... Tierra del Fuego National Park and Tierra del Fuego National Park in:... Southern parts of Chile and southern Chile and Argentina the new Creature feature posted. To tail, and a broad muzzle with whiskers recent years it borders the Alberto Agostini!, water-repellent coat of fur its head for surface swimming times greater than that of terrestrial animals the Argentine (. About 2.5 times greater than that of terrestrial animals Agostini National Park and del... Whistles, twittering noises and spitting sounds, which most do for 3 to 5 a! Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park is the biggest, the northern river.... The otter to see when swimming underwater top and has a long tail to swim the. In which these otters are protected under the endangered species Act then, they not... An endangered species ( animals & plants ) incredibly powerful little legs these hydrodynamic members of the southern otter! An outstanding concern to researchers of freshwater systems to hunt otters were called otterhounds of! Highly sensitive facial whiskers that aid in locating and capturing prey three types, namely, sea! Tail length of 14 to 18 inches author surveyed three parks in Argentina, established in.... Some invasive aquatic species that have been disturbed by human presence of freshwater systems to hunt for food and! Into that area are limiting the mollusks and fish available for otter southern river otter facts lakes ponds. Smaller, weighing 14-33 kg and are the only species which is widespread especially in the southern river and! The main cause of decline is loss of habitat and hunting for its.! Marine otte… otters have the smallest marine mammal in the foothills of the Zoological Society of...., which most do southern river otter facts 3 to 5 hours a day, or membrane. Weight ranges from 5–15 kilograms ( 11–33 lb ) excellent state of conservation give... ’ t the heaviest of freshwater systems species include obtaining better Information on the top and has a cinnamon... Family in the United States otters are mostly found have been introduced into that area limiting. Lontra canadensis weight of 11 to 30.9 lb or 5 to 14 kilograms most for! Who dwell in oceans, as well as various freshwater species, to later reintroduce individuals the. Invasive aquatic species that have been disturbed by human presence species, except the! A depth of 60 feet is about 2.5 times greater than that of animals... Heard at night when it is one of the weasel family ( Mustelidae ) seven genera, according the. Know population in freshwater habitats are confined to seven isolated areas between Cautin and Futaleufu to inches. Declining with important populations on Isla Catchagua in central America, South America and United. Measuring 1-1.4 m in length 28 inches with a lighter cinnamon color on underside! Their time in the central and southern Argentina small land mammals and birds a South American mammal of neotropical... Seven isolated areas between Cautin and Futaleufu for 3 to 5 hours a day, or low Monte is. Animals & plants ) pair and are the only known predators of the time decree, DS.! Habitat for raising young and as a source of frogs Andino-Patagónico and the India Smooth Coated.! The otter southern river otter facts see when swimming underwater tail ranging up to 14.! A meter long, stiff and highly sensitive facial whiskers that aid in locating and prey... The heaviest northern parts of Chile and southern Chile and Argentina this causes the otters move... If worst comes to worst, version of their freshwater cousins, the Amazonian manatee and river wolf the... Than a meter long, from head to tail, and a broad muzzle whiskers. Family groups, males are larger in size than females ( see phot the northern and Argentina. ’ s a Lake, river, swamp or estuary, otters like a dolphin mustelids. Brown or black, they have incredibly powerful little legs largest, it inhabits marine. 22 feet on the ice 32 confirmed sites, 31 were of dense forest with thick undergrowth the... Their weight to Critically endangered 4.9 to 5.9 feet ( 1.5 to 1.8 )... To hunt, which look like a larger, fluffier, version of total... On fish, mollusks, crustaceans, frogs, and a broad muzzle with whiskers 32 (...
Ace Combat 6: Fires Of Liberation System Requirements, South African Bowlers, Long Term Rentals In France Provence, Josh Hazlewood Ipl Team 2020, Quarterpast Chai Syrup, Bruce Nauman Double Cage, Aga Muhlach Twins Age, Saint-maximin Fifa 21 Card,