More info: North American river otters are fresh water semiaquatic mammals found throughout North America in rivers, streams, lakes and ponds.
River otters are well adapted for swimming in cold waters having a thick, protective fur to help them keep warm. They have short legs and webbed feet for faster swimming, and a long, narrow body with a flattened head for streamlined movement in the water. A long, strong tail helps propels the otters and they are able to stay underwater for as long as eight minutes.
North American river otters have long whiskers, which they use to detect prey in dark or mirky water, and clawed feet for grasping onto slippery prey. River otters eat a variety of aquatic wildlife, including fish, crayfish, crabs, frogs, birds’ eggs, birds and reptiles such as turtles. They have also been known to eat aquatic plants and to prey on other small mammals, such as muskrats or rabbits. River otters have a very high metabolism, so they need to eat frequently.