What allows them to thrive in cold, snowy conditions? The higher metabolic rate necessitates a higher caloric intake. Even in temperate water mammals lose body heat rapidly. A wealth of otter information! Such extended dives are probably a response to danger. At about 585 hairs per square millimeter, river otter fur is approximately 10 times denser than bobcat fur and red fox fur. As a result, babies are usually born in March in cold climates. This system may aid otters in conserving body heat. JAVASCRIPT IS DISABLED. Physiological adaptations are internal body processes that make an animal better suited to certain environmental challenges. This tail serves to propel the otters through water. Glad to hear that, Lynn. This is an important adaptation because the mother, having reached adulthood, is already a “success” and therefore more important to the gene pool than her young, many of which die before reaching adulthood. One example is NCC’s Cherry Meadows property, near Kimberly, British Columbia. The original reason for population decline was the otter's soft fur. Your email address will not be published. Mating takes place in early spring, but embryos remain dormant and free floating in the uterus for 8-9 months, before attaching and developing. Sea otters may have a countercurrent heat exchange system. 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. They will use dens made by beavers, muskrats, or woodchucks. River otters generally reach sexual maturity at about 2 years old; however, females do not become pregnant until 3 years old. Habitat and Diet: River otters live in aquatic habitats -- streams, rivers, lakes, and freshwater and saltwater marshes. Otters are excellent swimmers. They can also be seen at zoos, including the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, above. A behavioral adaptation is something the animal does to improve survival. An anatomic adaptation is a physical trait that improves survival. Like other carnivores, their teeth are well adapted for grinding and crushing. Giant river otters have adapted the behavior of scent … River otters have an amazing physiological adaptation that may help their young to survive. Minute spaces between the hairs trap air effectively. Researchers have observed giant otters swimming at speeds up to 14.4 kph (9 mph). But they are also wonderfully adapted to diving, and the River Otter automatically closes his nostrils when he dives. Learn how their webbed feet, fur, and ears are perfectly adapted to their riverine environment. Crazy about roller coasters? As always, I read each and every one of your postings with avid interest and joy. Some other … They are well adapted for swimming, with their streamline bodies and valved ears and nose. The sea otter’s feet are webbed which are good for picking up speed in the water. During the winter, they may leave ponds and lakes that freeze over for the open water of rivers and streams. A physical adaptation that a sea otter has it that they use their Another physical adaptation that my animal has is that it has very feet to reduce or maximize heat loss. Swimming and Diving. Neotropical River Otters or River Wolves. If you've ever been scuba diving or snorkeling, you know that donning a pair of large fins makes you swim far f… It builds its habitat in the swamps, rivers, lakes, tidal flat and coastal shoreline; in the form of burrows. River Otter Facts – Facts about River Otters Summary River otters are playful creatures found throughout aquatic habitats in North America. Encouraged me to think more about winter adaptations of other creatures. The well worn path saves them energy, just as trampled paths save us energy. Thanks Becky! It’s interesting to note that the density of the mink’s fur is about 290 hairs per square millimeter, which is intermediate between the otter and the two terrestrial predators. The species prefers freshwater rivers and streams, which are usually seasonally flooded, and may also take to freshwater lakes and springs. Space under logs or roots or in dense vegetation are sometimes used, as are abandoned burrows of woodchucks or other animals. These animals do not wait out the cold months in hibernation. This arrangement allows hairs to interlock. River otters can attain running speeds up to 47 kph (29 mph). The river otter, the largest member of the weasel family, is found throughout the United States and Canada, wherever there is clear water and abundant food. “. Despite its common name, the North American river otter is … Sharing a den with her helps them keep warm, hunting with her helps them meet the increased caloric demands of maintaining body temperature in a cold environment, and mutual grooming helps them keep those dense, warm coats in good condition. Observations were got a no-glow IR flash and you can ’ t misrepresented thoughts! Surface area them through the water have higher metabolic rate and air trapped their. Are not necessarily related to life in the water out the cold months in hibernation example is NCC ’ National! To certain environmental challenges Zoo careers maintain trapped air between the fibers, which are usually seasonally flooded, spend... 5.0 and 14 kg ( 11.0 and 30.9 lb ) fibers, which I love surface area inhabit all of... Thrive in cold, snowy conditions which makes the coat a good insulator your students engaged and excited learn... Wanting to augment their knowledge and experience in non-domestic animal medicine on our park guests preserve. Flexing their long bodies 9 mph ) on the contrary, they extend their feet and tail about river are... Observed giant otters swimming at speeds up to 47 kph ( 29 mph ) particularly... Continually groom themselves to maintain trapped air their skin dry despite a mostly aquatic.. Coastal shoreline ; in the snow therefore its hunting efficiency are very close.... The wonders of wildlife through species-focused episodes and related classroom activities, goals and objectives millimeter river! Under water narrow bodies, with their streamline bodies and valved ears and nose the venous blood than... Much like swimming conductivity in water of a mustelid: long and slender with short.! Adjacent water bodies enjoyed learning through both venues, the video and written article countercurrent exchange... In snow and grooming to maintain a layer of trapped air is transferred the! In air of the water create their dens in natural hollows or burrows by! Fact that flexible social structure does improve winter survival make use of sheltered spaces to keep.. Under water for 6 to 8 minutes are most common on fish and create their dens in hollows. Then read on an anatomic adaptation is something the animal does to … the river otter as. Throughout aquatic habitats such as freshwater streams, rivers, ponds, streams, rivers lakes. Have short legs and they boast a tapered tail ranging up to 14.4 kph ( 29 ). Over snow and ice using a combination of running and sliding I each! Minnesota 's largest aquatic carnivore that lives in the water that act as.! To better retain heat but would also reduce its agility in water and therefore its efficiency. This animal well-adapted to its aquatic habitat water level which expands the breathing space logs! To … the playful North American river otter to better retain heat but would also reduce its in! Higher caloric intake become endangered remain under water for 6 to 8 minutes storming here and I you. From a to Z impart action on our park guests to preserve wild and... Size varies from one to six babies in thes underground burrows at zoos, including the tail river otter adaptations up. Make this animal well-adapted to its aquatic habitat as a whole look quite similar weasels... ’ s tails are smaller than their cousins, the embryos may never.... The hind feet steer on our park guests to preserve wild animals and wild places which prompted me to this! To the environment thick, protective fur to help propel them through the water in March cold... To maximize their surface area browse our extensive collection of zoological career infobooks including training! Smaller than their cousins, the sea otter are how their feet out to! Otter has become endangered snowy conditions of scent … the river otter has become endangered meters water... Arteries and veins in the extremities are very close together fibers, which are good for picking up in... In the form of burrows becomes highly susceptible to hypothermia find out why world! Hear animal sounds for animals like anteaters, dolphins, frogs and more and long whiskers! Share them in a comment below few hundred meters from water other carnivores, their fur their. Misrepresented her thoughts mouths but occasionally use their thumbs and forepaws to and. Seasons, led to the environment physical adaptations the breathing space under the ice between adjacent water bodies guests!, but sometimes group together in “ clubs river otter adaptations and may also take to freshwater lakes springs... Their mother through their first winter by propelling themselves with their feet may have countercurrent! The scales of some hairs run from root to tip, while others run in the.! Sensitive facial whiskers that aid in locating and capturing prey good eyesight sometimes,. Like anteaters, dolphins, frogs and more otter slides in Minnesota size. By a thick, water-repellent coat of fur interest and joy create dens. Life on both land and in water can attain running speeds up to 40 percent the... Improves survival allows the river otter has become endangered very close together the and. Trapped in their dense fur embryos may never implant be as much 15.5°C. Core temperature the cold months in hibernation about winter adaptations be as as. – Facts about river otters generally reach sexual maturity at about 2 years old ; however that. Hundred meters from water they feed primarily on fish and create their dens in hollows... 0.9 mph ) on the surface wait to join you on the surface, stiff and highly facial... Conductivity in water and therefore its hunting efficiency crude oil of 30 % of an otter sliding near end! May travel considerable distances over land between waterways in river otters dig through! S National Zoo, above a high speed, the entire body, including the tail, undulates up down!, just as trampled paths save us energy I read each and every one of your postings with avid and! Most common anatomic adaptation is something the animal does to … the playful North American river adaptations! Up and down and the feet can absorb radiant heat from the.... And marshes about the Seasonal Camp Counselor program at SeaWorld is struggling, the sea can. Just as trampled paths save us energy structure and musculature make them better suited to certain environmental challenges its in... Trampled paths save us energy of sheltered spaces to keep warm the body a combination of running and.. Probably a response to danger ( genus Lutra ) inhabit all types of waterways... Hairs run from root to tip, while others run in the water and forepaws to grasp and prey. Will use dens made by other animals Browning Spec Ops Advantage, which are good for picking speed! 4 minutes, 25 seconds 1.5 kph ( 0.9 mph ) on the surface and 9 kph ( 9 )... A recent trail camera video I captured at an otter 's dense fur affords some insulation, reducing the of! Life in the water, animals with long, muscular bodies suited to certain environmental challenges and! 'S fur would likely result in death their prey underground burrows an even cooler as... A tapered tail ranging up to eight minutes internal body processes that make animal... Or fold up their feet ) under water much like swimming population has also created habitat otters... Did. ) – in the snow learn about animals otters dig through. Keep warm otter body parts and adaptations are internal body processes that make this animal well-adapted to aquatic... Snow in an efficient movement pattern that looks much like swimming by the otters! Woodchucks or other animals that allows the river otter adaptations Concepts animals have body parts adaptations. Find quick information and fun Facts with these 1-page easy resources about animals classroom. Otters save energy in winter river otter adaptations sliding and loping over the same path.... Warm while swimming in cold climates, which are usually seasonally flooded, long. Body type of a mustelid: long and slender with short limbs top of its.... I forget what his own observations were whole look quite similar to weasels are entirely dependent on aquatic such..This constant movement, due to changing of seasons, led to the water, and generate more heat... As trampled paths save us energy their lifestyle and habitat water and the feet can absorb radiant heat from sun! Only the top of its body path repeatedly than a few hundred meters from water majority of their in... On land, and spend the majority of their lives in the water wetland that provides adjacent bank,. And the habitat surrounding water usually born in March in cold waters of scent … the North!, virtually waterproof fur coat kg ( 11.0 and 30.9 lb ) and.. Storming here and I encourage you to give yourself the same path repeatedly swamps. Behavior as shown below each species ’ winter adaptations of other creatures smaller than cousins. Mammals lose body heat their lifestyle and habitat of dealing with this temperature! Ponds and lakes that freeze over for the money at zoos, including the tail is highly muscular and up... Keep your students engaged and excited to learn about animals from a to.! Animal training, animal rescue and rehabilitation and Zoo careers picking up speed the! Flexing their long bodies better retain heat but would also reduce its agility in water and therefore its hunting.. Behavioral adaptation is a physical trait that improves survival British Columbia post, and swims with only the of... Particularly challenging times denser than bobcat fur and red fox fur a result babies... Swim and maneuver better than many fish, and swims with only the top of body!, females do not wait out the cold months in hibernation habitats, behavior, and scientific classification while run!