River Otter North Carolina

At this habitat you ll discover a diversity of animals of along a carolina stream.
River otter north carolina. It makes its home in a burrow near the water s edge and can thrive in river lake swamp or estuary ecosystems. Despite all of this river otters do not receive any protection under federal or state the law and south carolina still maintains a hunting season for otters from november 24 to march 1. North american river otter. However river otters were common in the coastal plain of north carolina and were slowly expanding westward towards the piedmont region.
An adult north american river otter can weigh between 5 0 and 14 kg 11 0 and 30 9 lb. The north american river otter lontra canadensis also known as the northern river otter or common otter is a semiaquatic mammal endemic to the north american continent found in and along its waterways and coasts. Located in the aquarium s naturally lighted conservatory river otters is one exhibit every visitor looks forward to seeing with each return visit. The american river otter is a graceful and beautiful addition to many north carolina rivers.
Otters are found primarily in the coastal plain where they can be fairly common to locally common around estuaries lower portions of rivers large creeks and canals in the tiedwater area and eastern coastal plain. North american river otters have been almost eliminated across their native range by the loss of fitting habitat combined with the pressures of hunting trapping for the fur trade. Their small heads widen to long necks and shoulders and they have flattened well muscled tails. The north carolina zoo is an.
Streams are part of nature s waterworks an enormous circulating system that cleanses and distributes water across the land. North american river otters also called canadian otters have long muscular streamlined bodies with short legs and fully webbed feet bearing non retractable claws. The last confirmed sighting occurred in haywood county in 1936. River otters offers aquarium visitors a rare up close look at the lively antics of three north american river otters who eat sleep swim and play behind large acrylic panels.
Sighting one can be an exciting occasion for boaters fisher men and other outdoor enthusiasts because of the creature s secretive nature and relative rarity in some waters.