[28] Otters are known to take larger fish on land to eat, whereas smaller fish are consumed in the water. Appearance. There is a delayed implantation and thus the total gestation time varies from 290 to 380 days. The higher metabolic rate means that the river otters must take in more calories, which is why they are regularly eating. A river otter’s metabolic rate is approximately 50% higher than a similarly sized land mammal’s. The actual embryonic development takes about 60-63 days . Information about river otter breeding and reproductive and social behavior is varied due to the difficulty of studying these animals in the wild. 671 Sample size Medium Data quality Acceptable Observations. Other research maintains that river otters mate for life. Despite its common name, the North American river otter is equally comfortable in either coastal marine or freshwater habitats. Some studies indicate that river otters pair for only a few months during the breeding season and have no further strong bonds. The otter’s fur is thick but fine, lustrous deep brown to almost black in color, with the exception of the chin and throat which are lighter. Interestingly, after the egg is fertilized it goes through a stage when the embryo becomes inactive known as delayed implantation. They are equally comfortable on land and in the water. The average river otter’s life span varies depending on whether the river otter lives in the wild or in captivity. Within the National Forest System (NFS), a sensitive species is a plant or animal whose population viability is identified as a … General description: The otter is perfectly suited for an aquatic life. Long and sleek, it has short legs, webbed feet, and a long tapered tail. A river otter's life begins in an unusual way. Lifespan. river otter (Lontra canadensis; hereafter, river otter) is the focus of an assessment because USFS Region 2 classifies it as a sensitive species. The fur is a rich brown, moderately short, and very dense. [25] When left unchecked, though, otter depredations can be quite significant under certain circumstances (e.g. Otters are remarkable and graceful swimmers that can remain submerged for several minutes, dive to 55 feet and swim up to a quarter-mile underwater. River otters have a high metabolism, which keeps them warm when they are in the water. Length: Adult river otters are about four to five and one-half feet long, including its 18-inch tail. River otters may travel several miles over land to another stream or lake. Embryo Diapause River otters are also valued as a game species and furbearer (Melquist et al. The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) is a semiaquatic mammal in the weasel family.While it may simply be called the "river otter" in North America (to distinguish it from the sea otter) there are other river otter species throughout the world. Gestation. Northern river otter Synonyms Lutra canadensis Lifespan, ageing, and relevant traits Maximum longevity 27 years (captivity) Source ref. The life expectancy for an otter is about 8-9 years. River otters live about 8 to 9 years in the wild. After the parents breed and an egg is fertilized, the embryo becomes inactive in a stage called delayed implantation. Otter have been known to live sixteen years in captivity, and may live 10 – 20 yrs in the wild. Did You Know? The gestational period for an otter is approximately 63-65 days. The river otter Lontra canadensis is an elusive species that can serve an important role in aquatic ecosystems as a top predator of fish and crayfish. 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