| The River Otter of Wisconsin is the
largest member of the weasel family. The River Otter is found mostly in the
northern half of the state near rivers, streams, ponds and lakes.
The River Otter is a sleek dark brown creature
that has a muscular body with a long tapering tail. The River Otter will
grow to 3-4 feet in length and weigh from 15 to 25 pounds. Its tail is 12
to 18 inches long and is used to propel the otter through the water. The
River Otter has webbed feet that are also used for swimming. The fur of
the River Otter is very thick and durable and is sought by trappers.
The River Otter is an excellent swimmer and
can swim 5 or more miles per hour. It is capable of staying underwater
from two to four minutes at a time. The River Otter has specially built
ears and nose that have a valve-like skin that closes and keep a water
tight seal underwater.
River Otters live in a den usually
borrowed from beavers, muskrats, and woodchucks. They will
temporarily live under the roots of large trees and brush piles. The
den has an
opening above the ground in the summer but this is usually closed in
the winter and the only entrance is under water. The den floor is usually
bare with some accumulation of grass and leaves. The beaver is very
important to the River Otter because the beaver pond makes ideal habitat
for the otter.
The River Otter eats fish such as suckers,
minnows, pan fish, bass, and other species. They will also eat crayfish,
frogs, and other small water animals. The River Otter will forage under
overhanging river banks and along the shorelines where they will eat
insects, vegetation, and some small birds. The River Otter will stay near
their favorite eating areas and mark their territory by using scent from
their feces, urine, and musk glands.
The River Otter breeds in April and will
have their young about a year later in April or May. The young are called
"kits" and are helpless at birth. The otter will have between 2 and 4
kits. The kit is about 4 to 5 inches in length, furry, and has its eyes
closed for about a month. After about 6 to 8 weeks of feeding from the
mother’s milk, the kits are weaned and taught to swim and hunt for food.
After a year with the family, each otter will leave to establish his or
her own territory.
Otters are known to be very playful. They
love to wrestle and chase each other around. All of these games help the
otter to become coordinated and fit into the social structure of the
group. The River Otter will also capture and release live prey so each
young otter may learn to hunt. All these activities help the River Otter
to live a life of more than 15 years.
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