NORTH AMERICAN RIVER OTTER
SCIENlTIFlC NAME:
Lutra canadensis
This playful animal is found from Mexico north to Alaska. They are especially abundant throughout Canada. Otters inhabit rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, marshes and inland waterways. These social animals may make their home in a hollow log or abandoned beaver lodge; however, they usually dig a hole into the bank of a stream or lake. This hole leads to a leaf-lined den. Otters can swim 3-4 mph underwater and up to 6 mph on the surface. They can stay submerged for up to 4 minutes. They have short legs and webbed toes to aid them in swimming.

The otter's body is very streamlined and flexible, generally 18 to 42 inches in length with the male being up to 30% larger than the female. Their coat is water repellent, short, smooth and dense. Overall, their color is dark brown, but the underparts, throat and cheeks are somewhat lighter.
Otters mate year-round, with activity peaking in late spring and early summer. The gestation period is about 2 months, after which 2-4 young are born blind and helpless. They stay with their mother for about a year while she teaches them to find and catch food for themselves. Otters reach sexual maturity in about 2 years.
OTHER ANIMALS

There are only three animals in the Park that are not seen on their own page. These are the fox squirrels, gray foxes and opossums.

Fox Squirrel
Sciurus niger

These bushy-tailed squirrels inhabit dry sandy pinelands throughout Florida. They are, however, a protected species, and they unfortunately are endangered south of Lake Okeechobee. They are rarely found in urbanized areas. They eat mostly pine seeds and acorns, and depending on the season, will sometimes eat vegetation, bird eggs, nesting birds and insects.

Gray Fox
Urocycon cinereoargentens

The gray fox can be found in hollow logs and rock piles throughout most of the United States. These animals eat plants, bugs and small mammals. Foxes serve as great rodent control. They are the only member of the dog family that is able to climb trees.
Photo by Jim Moses
Photo by David Gray
Otter & Other Animal Facts

• Otters can stay submerged for up to 4 minutes.

• Baby otters are called pups

• Fox Squirrel are a protected species.
Opossum
Didelphis virginiana

The opossum is the only marsupial found in North America. they have been around for 70 to 80 million years making them one of the Earth's oldest surviving mammals. Opossums serve as nature's clean up crew. They eat just about anything including snails, slugs, insects, snakes, rats, carrion and overripe fruits. Opossums are highly resistant to diseases including rabies and their greatest threat is posed by humans through habitat loss and vehicular collisions.
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