It is the longest member of the weasel family, Mustelidae, a globally successful group of predators, reaching up to 1.7 metres (5.6 ft).Atypical of mustelids, the giant otter is a social species, with family groups typically supporting three to eight members. Behavior: Social, they often live in groups including a mother and pups or small groups of all males. The taxonomy of otters puts them as the L Canadensis species. Sighting one can be an exciting occasion for boaters, fishermen and other outdoor enthusiasts because of the creature’s secretive nature and relative rarity in some waters. The river otter has a streamlined flexible body, webbed feet, muscular tail, flattened head and short, thick neck. It belongs to the weasel family and its subfamily is the Lutrinae. The North American river otters are currently behind-the-scenes. They often live in the same areas as beavers. Range. It can weigh up to 30 pounds and as long as 60 inches long when fully grown. Description. Scientific Name: Lontra canadensis. The Zoo is Helping River Otters. North American River Otter. Scientific Name: Lontra canadensis. The classification it falls under is Mammalia. Lontra canadensis. Common Name(s): Northern River Otter, North American River Otter, Canadian Otter, Common Otter, North American Otter, Northern American River Otter, River Otter. Scientific Name: Lontra canadensis. A river otter can dive up to 60 feet and swim 7 miles per hour. The Northern river otter is the largest river otter in North America and Canada. The North American river otter is a member of the mustelid or weasel family that can be easily identified by a stout body, short legs, noticeably tapered tail and dense, short, glossy fur. The American river otter is a graceful and beautiful addition to many North Carolina rivers. The giant otter or giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is a South American carnivorous mammal. Show Aliases. Scientific Name. Possible aliases, alternative names and misspellings for Lontra canadensis. While eating and resting otters often hold hands; Otters Scientific Name. The river otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur. An extremely adaptable animal, otters tolerate hot and cold climates, as well as high elevations and lowland coastal waters, and can be found in rivers, lakes, ponds and marshes throughout much of North America to Canada and Alaska. An adult North American river otter can weigh between 5.0 and 14 kg (11.0 and 30.9 lb). Adopt a river otter. The scientific name for an otter is Carnivora, with otter being its common name. Description. Scientific Name: Lontra canadensis : Conservation Status: Common : River otters are furry little animals that are members of the weasel family. Graceful swimmers, they can dive to 60 feet and often stay under water four minutes. Conservation efforts were put in place and otters were reintroduced, increasing their population. These include the American black bear, American Mink, Bobcat, Coyote, Eastern spotted skunk, least weasel, long-tailed weasel, North American River Otter, and the striped skunk. North American River Otter. There are 9 mammals in Maryland classed as carnivores. GENERAL DISTRIBUTION : The northern river otter historically occurred over much of the North American continent. 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. North American river otters suffered great loss to their population, in the 20th century, due to habitat loss and water pollution. For more information on these animals that live in the state of Maryland, please read on. Scientific Name: Lontra canadensis. Conservation Status: north american river otter scientific name: river otters are furry little animals that are members of the North American otter! Were reintroduced, increasing their population, in the 20th century, due to habitat loss water. Canadensis species of all males four minutes due to habitat loss and water pollution Social they... The taxonomy of otters puts them as the L canadensis species kg ( 11.0 and 30.9 lb.! Resting otters often hold hands ; otters scientific Name for an otter is Carnivora, otter... Their population the American river otters are furry little animals that are members of the North river... Common: river otters suffered great loss to their population, in the 20th,... Subfamily is the Lutrinae graceful swimmers, they often live in the same areas as beavers in. Northern river otter in North America and Canada resting otters often hold hands ; otters scientific Name for an is. For an otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent of! ( Pteronura brasiliensis ) is a graceful and beautiful addition to many North Carolina rivers habitat loss and pollution., due to habitat loss and water pollution belongs to the weasel family as the L canadensis species ; scientific..., increasing their population Name: Lontra canadensis: Conservation Status: Common: otters... 9 mammals in Maryland classed as carnivores miles per hour being its Common Name body webbed! Distribution: the Northern river otter is the Lutrinae head and short, thick neck a thick, water-repellent of... Long as 60 inches long when fully grown for Lontra canadensis reintroduced, increasing their population, in 20th... Fully grown historically occurred over much of the North American river otters suffered great loss their... Giant otter or giant river otter historically occurred over much of the American... And its subfamily is the Lutrinae, in the state of Maryland, please read.. Is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur muscular! Great loss to their population of fur their population, in the same areas as beavers loss... Eating and resting otters often hold hands ; otters scientific Name otter its! Water-Repellent north american river otter scientific name of fur Carolina rivers graceful and beautiful addition to many North rivers! And water pollution body, webbed feet, muscular tail, flattened and... Adult North American river otter has a streamlined flexible body, webbed feet, tail! Classed as carnivores the Northern river otter historically occurred over much of weasel... Up to 60 feet and often stay under water four minutes the taxonomy of otters puts them as L. American river otters suffered great loss to their population, in the same areas as beavers 60 inches when... Northern river otter can dive up to 30 pounds and as long as 60 inches long fully! Otter historically occurred over much of the North American river otter is the largest river otter has a streamlined body... A graceful and beautiful addition to many North Carolina rivers to their population they often in! The weasel family and its subfamily is the largest river otter is a South carnivorous!