14 Animals Similar to Otters

“That’s a lotta otters,” the man said.

Not only are there a great many otters in the world. There are a great many animals who are similar to otters. Let’s have a look. Let us compare them all to our classical North American otter (Lontra Canadensis).

Also called the Northern River Otter, Lontra Canadensis is an aquatic mammal. It abides in rivers, lakes, swamps, river deltas, and estuaries. It lives in a den, often a den abandoned by some other animal. It prefers holes in riverbanks with underwater entrances.

Our American otter dines on crayfish, crabs, and a wide variety of fish. However, its palate is not limited to fish. It also enjoys small mammals (lookout, mice!) and it will not refuse a salad of water plants.

What does he/she look like? They have a longish streamlined body with short legs and fully webbed feet. When the heads are above water we see a pointed nose and small ears. The eyes are dark and mischievous. Out of the water, we notice dense dark fur, perfect insulation for cold waters, and a thick, pointed tail.

The tail is heavily muscled. It makes up 40% of the otter’s overall length. With the help of its tail, the otter can reach speeds of 8-10 miles an hour underwater and dive as deep as 40 feet. An adult will weigh 10 or 35 pounds and be 2.5 to 5 feet in length. Females are about 1/3 the size of males.

Otters prefer unpolluted waters and a minimum of human interference. They can thrive in hot or cold climates. They are adaptable to either high or low altitudes. The North American otter’s home range can extend up to 30 square miles but it is usually 15 square miles. The home range will tend to shrink significantly during the breeding season.

River otters may live alone or in pairs but they often socialize in groups. They are famous for their playful antics. Their agility enables them to swiftly twist, roll, dive and slide in the mud. This play strengthens social bonds and sharpens hunting techniques.

Besides … Read the rest of the story.