North American River Otter
Support North American River OtterScientific Name
Lontra canadensis
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Not currently at risk.
Diet
Carnivores that eat freshwater wildlife including fish, crayfish, insects, amphibians, reptiles, bird eggs, birds and mussels. They may also eat small mammals and aquatic plants.
Habitat in the Wild
Rivers, lakes, and streams
Quick Fact
The playful North American river otter is well adapted for semi-aquatic living. They can stay underwater for eight minutes. Their snow and mud sliding, tail chasing, and water play help strengthen social bonds and let young otters practice hunting techniques.
Enjoy Our Native Otters
River otters are a conservation success story. Once common throughout North America, European settlers nearly drove them to extinction by uncontrolled trapping for their fur within the span of a few hundred years. Deterioration of their habitats from pollution compounded the problem, and the last reliable sighting of a native otter in the Great Smoky Mountains was in 1936.
The National Park Service began a reintroduction program in 1986 with otters from North Carolina, South Carolina and Louisiana. Since then, otters have staged a comeback and can be found in waterways throughout East Tennessee.
River otters play a vital role in aquatic ecosystems because they exert top-down control of prey populations. They are an “indicator species” that has a low tolerance for polluted waters, so their presence is an indication of a healthy ecosystem.
You can become an “Otter Spotter” and help researchers gain a clearer picture of where otters live as you're out enjoying the Smokies! Post your observations of otters or otter signs (scat and tracks) on the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont Otter Spotter project page and on the iNaturalist Otter Spotter project.
CONSERVATION FACT #1
Conservation Success Story
CONSERVATION FACT #2
Indicator Species
CONSERVATION FACT #3
Be An Otter Spotter
Meet Our Otters
NAME
AGE
BIRTHDAY
May 1, 2021
PERSONALITY
Clayton was found injured and orphaned on the side of the road in Oregon when he was just a pup. After healing at a rehab facility, Clayton was deemed to be un-releasable so he came to live at Zoo Knoxville in the fall of 2021 – the first resident for the new exhibit. He is stocky in stature and dark in color. He has a rounded muzzle and nose, which is usually scuffed due to his adventurous nature. Clayton loves to climb (an uncommon trait among otters) and squeeze himself into tight spaces. If you’re lucky, you may see him walking the ledge above the pool before diving in. He’s an easy going boy and a peacemaker by nature. Clayton is rarely alone, much preferring to be with one or both of the other boys.
what can you do?
Actions You Can Take To Support River Otters
Reuse & Recycle
Keep microplastics out of the environment and our waterways by using reusable water bottles.
Minimize Water Pollution
Because river otters are a keystone species and solely dependent on the waterways, keeping their environment clean is critical. Limiting pollution upstream is the best way to do this. Minimize or eliminate the use of fertilizers and other chemicals that run off into the local watersheds.
Clean Up Litter
You can help keep trash out of the water by participating in local litter cleanups.
Be an Otter Spotter
Report wild otter sightings to help scientists monitor the local population.
Animal Encounters
Dive into fun with our resident river otters Clayton, Reed, and Pascal, champions of clean water! Did you know that otters were extinct in Tennessee just a few decades ago? At our Otter Encounter, you’ll discover how to safeguard otter habitats and make a splash in conservation efforts.
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