If waterways become polluted, the chemicals, petroleums, and other contaminants can quickly threaten otters across broad areas. River otter fur … The ears appear large on its small flattened head. River Otter Lutra Canadensis. Otters, like chimps and humans, have been commonly seen using objects as tools. It lives only in the rivers and creeks of the Amazon, Orinoco, and La Plata river systems. Status in the Wild. This South American otter is the world's largest, at some 6 feet long. Why are Sea Otters Endangered? Amigos Bravos, with our partners from Friends of New Mexico River Otters, led the effort to bring back this native keystone species to New Mexico. While assorted species of otters live on all but two continents, the only species we have in Iowa today is the North American river otter. This species of sea otter can grow and reach the number of 95 cm in length for its body and 35 cm in length for its tail. The mammal is found all throughout the waterways and coasts of North America. Another endangered sea otter species is known as the european otter, also known as eurasian river otter, common otter, and old world otter. The trade of sea otters was continued until the animals were virtually wiped out. The most aquatic member of the weasel family, they live in and along rivers, streams, ponds, and lakes. Otters have five toes and the heel pad tends to be somewhat horseshoe shaped. Almost 60,000 sea otters were killed by the Americans for the sake of getting fur during the three-year period (1804 – 1807) while another 50,000 furs were taken between 1808 and 1812. The river otter is adapted for both land and water with short legs, webbed toes, and a strong, flattened tail. River otters exhibit a variety of vocalizations, ranging from whistles and buzzes to twitters, staccato chuckles, chirps and growls. European otter. River otters leave scent marks on vegetation within their home range. They inhabit lakes, rivers, inland wetlands, coastal shorelines and marshes. This carnivore primarily eats fish, particularly slower-swimming fish like suckers and minnow, but … North American river otters are listed in CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered … The giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is the largest member of the mustelid family, which includes otters, weasels, and ferrets, and are by far the loudest member of the group.Giant river otters are very sociable and live in families of between 3-10 individuals that hunt together. Background: Most Connecticut residents rarely have an opportunity to observe river otters in the wild as otters generally avoid contact with humans.However, even though otters may not be seen often, the state's river otter population is healthy and stable. Today, river otter are relatively common throughout Virginia, but the story hasn’t always been this bright for the species. Otters like to slide in the mud grass, and snow, and can swim underwater for ¼ mile. River otters are protected under the Endangered Species Act and remain on the list because their habitats are easily compromised. In fact, the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries listed the river otter as state endangered and closed the trapping season west of the Blue Ridge Mountains in 1978. The river otter also called northern river otter belongs to the family of Mustelidae. When threatened or frightened, they emit a hair-raising scream that can be heard up to 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) across the water. Like sea otters, river otters also display thickest furs that ensure a limited heat loss. North American river otters are found in the United States and Canada. These chummy, playful mammals are characterized as clever and mischievous, but there’s a lot more to an otter than that! It weighs around 5 – 14 kg (11 – 31 lb). 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