The River Otter

What animal has a sleek, furry body and swims in the river? That would be the river otter. The thick, dense fur helps the otter keep warm in the cold water. The river otter is a type of weasel. The river otter can be found in lakes, rivers, streams, marshes, and ponds. They are found predominantly in Canada and the United States. The river otter is an endangered animal because hunters desire their furry skins.

River otters are nocturnal animals, which means they do most of their activities at night. They hunt and fish at night and sleep during the day. River otters live in dens dug under the ground. They usually take over old dens from other animals, such as beavers. The bear, coyote, and the bald eagle are all predators of the river otter.

The river otter is a carnivore, which means that it eats meat. Its diet consists of crustaceans, fish, small mammals, birds, insects, and amphibians. Sea otters have a very strong sense of smell. They also use their whiskers to help them find food. Like sea otters, river otters are also known for their ability to play. They can do somersaults, sliding, wrestling, and even belly flops. They love to slide down a muddy or snowy hill. River otters use their webbed feet to swim around in the water, and they can stay underwater for up to four minutes.