These mammals have whiskers, which they use to spot their prey by detecting vibrations in the water. The main macromolecule suggestion for river otters based on a study by White et al 2007: protein: 42.9–68.1%, fat: 18.4–37.9%, Carbohydrates: N/A. Diet often varies seasonally or locally, depending on which prey is available. Otters always wash themselves after every meal. Did you know?Studies indicate that the bulk of River Otter diet consists of non-game fish species. River otters forage alone or in pairs. Crayfish are the second most common prey of river otters. Since the males are slightly larger than the females, they also consume more calories than the average female and more frequently. They will spend several hours nightly foraging in water. North American river otters eat mainly aquatic organisms such as amphibians, fish, turtles, crayfish, crabs, and other invertebrates. River otters can be considered opportunistic aquatic piscivorous carnivores, although they consume other animal products other animal material including: crustaceans, crayfish, freshwater mussles, amphibians, birds, mammals and a variety of fish species (Sucker fish, Carp, Minnows, Pike, Sunfish, Catfish, Perches, Bass), based on the work by Stearn & Serfass (2010). The giant river otters are excellent predators. River otters prefer larger fish due to ease of capture; larger prey gives river otters more energy as well. This great variety of food classifying them also as, The fish caught are usually about 10-15cm long (Kruuk 2006) , and other prey are on the smaller side. The most common fish consumed are perch, suckers, and catfish. Please pass this on to an otter group in that area, so they can add the information to their database for monitoring and survey purposes. It is not uncommon for anglers to have to fight river otters for their bait. Based on BMR in the study by Davies et al (1992), the BMR for otters is approximately 140kcal/kg body weight/ day, and in the study there was an average of 177 kcal/ kg body weight/ day. Otters have a high metabolic rate, an adaptation for living in an aquatic environment where body heat is rapidly lost. Land otters feed on insects, frogs, eggs, birds, even critters such as rabbits or rodents. These clever engineering animals eat the bark right off trees they fell for building dams and lodges, along with twigs, buds and leaves. They nest on land, tending to build underground tunnels to move between the two. Outside of fish, river otters will also eat crustaceans, insects, birds, oysters, shellfish, turtles and a number of other aquatic life. This allows them to feed even in murky waters. Availability and vulnerability of their prey are the main determining factors in the seasonal variation of the river otters diet (Stearns and Serfass 2010). Sea otters have an ingenious method to open shellfish. A river otter’s diet consists largely of fish. But you can bank on the fact that there is an otter somewhere in a river near you if you live in Britain - a remarkable success story for a species driven to extinction in many parts of the country just decades ago. River Otters are opportunistic carnivores and will eat a variety of prey species found in their environment. ** NOTE: Nutritional requirements for wild species are difficult to determine as they require feces, urine, and blood samples and tested in a laboratory setting, therefore a lot of the information on the nutritional requirements come from captive animals and then speculation is made for wild species, in addition a large majority of carnivorous diets are analyzed using the typical feline diet and nutritional requirements as an additional reference. Otter Diet: Otters live near water because it provides them with everything they need—including food. River otters eat mostly aquatic organisms, including fish, frogs, crayfish, turtles, insects and some small mammals. Otters are meat eaters. In some areas, this is a protected species, and some places have otter sanctuaries that help sick and injured otters to recover. Fish are a favorite food, but they also eat amphibians, turtles, and crayfish. They eat plenty of fish and other water critters, such as crayfish, so you’ll spot bones, scales, and shells. Giant otters often hold their prey in their paws while eating it. River otters eat a variety of aquatic wildlife, such as fish, crayfish, crabs, frogs, birds’ eggs, birds and reptiles such as turtles. Giant river otters: One of the Amazon forest's top predators 04 November 2016 (5425 visits). Birds, their eggs, and small terrestrial mammals are also eaten on occasion. Periods of low tide and drought their main dietary element of fish is greatly diminished and usually there is a transition to a crayfish diet during the dry months (Decker et al. Across the world, there are thirteen known species of otter. Outside of fish, river otters will also eat crustaceans, insects, birds, oysters, shellfish, turtles and a number of other aquatic life. They are active during the day and at night, hunting in streams, rivers and ponds for fish, crayfish and turtles. al (1992). 2007 in captivity showed the greatest digestive efficacy and nutrient absorption on a diet that his high protein, high fat and enough caloric intake to sustain the otters high metabolic rate, - varies for wild otter species depending on subspecies, age. Baby otters are called pups. They enjoy carp, sunfish, minnows, suckers, sculpin and salmonids such as trout and salmon. 2010). They also eat roots, grasses and aquatic plants, and in captivity they even eat leafy greens and mixed vegetables. Some otters, such as the River Otter, are mostly solitary. River otters' main source of food is fish, but otters are opportunists by nature and will eat a wide variety of foods. The otter is the largest member of the weasel family. They catch prey with their teeth. River otters eat virtually anything that you can find near lakes or streams. The otter diet consists mainly of fish and crawfish, but they also consume toads, frogs, reptiles, and even small mammals. Being carnivorous, otters feast on a variety of meats from the fish they catch, to crustaceans, mollusks, sea urchins, and amphibians. North American river otters, like most predators, prey upon the most readily accessible species. Create your own unique website with customizable templates. River Otter (Lutra canadensis)Species Code: LUCA Description The River Otter is built for swimming - they have a streamlined body, short legs with webbed feet, dense fur that keeps otters warm, a tapered tail, small ears, and nostrils that can close underwater. Did you just call me a sea otter? ), The Secret Science of Solving Crossword Puzzles, Racist Phrases to Remove From Your Mental Lexicon. River otters typically maintain a consistent body weight throughout the year, due to their opportunistic nature and ability to survive in a variety of environments and temperatures (Henry et al 2012). What Do Otters Eat? With the ability to smell concentrations of fish and their high metabolisms, otters spend most of their time hunting for their next meal. North American River Otters are subject to a variety of seasonal changes based on latitude changes across North America, certain species they consume may be more abundant at varying times (Kruuk 2006). River otters are apex predators in their food web. The whiskers on the face of the … Before much of Arkansas’s mussel population was depleted during the pearl rush, they were also a favorite meal. They will also consume lizards and other items they can find on land when they need to. They mainly feed on slow moving fish species but will also eat crabs, crayfish, amphibians, small mammals, aquatic beetles, and birds. Fish is a favored food among the otters, but they also consume various amphibians (such as salamanders and frogs), freshwater clams, mussels, snails, small turtles and crayfish. The giant river otters have also been noted to feed on small anacondas and caimans. They can grow to be more than a meter long, from head to tail, and weight up to 14 kg. These furry water lovers hunt mostly at night, following the scent of fish even into urban areas. initially go for the slowest fish first, example sucker fish, exerting the least amount of energy, hunt in areas that have narrow rivers/ streams where there is a higher density of fish populations (Kruuk 2006) and North America has rich diversity of fish, probably reason there is such a large distribution of river otters, when hunting (see video), can usually see the head skimming the surface along with occasional diving, remaining closer to the surface, a mean underwater time of approximately 21 seconds (Kruuk 2006), represents a fairly significant energy investment, Also can consume birds and coots by approaching the prey from underneath the water, and occasionally hunting in pairs and use their adapted sight and touch to find prey (Wilson 1954), Can eat prey in the water being classifies as "single prey loaders" meaning they must bring the food item to the surface to consume it (Reed-Smith 2012), but primarily bring their prey to the shore, especially for larger prey, again to conserve energy, Sometimes a single otter feeds on a single prey and sometimes several feed, depending on the size of the prey (Stearns and Serfass 2010), River otters are generally crepuscular or nocturnal and during the winter seasons more diurnal, usually coinciding with an avoidance of human interaction (Reed-Smith 2012). The main diet of the otter is made up of fish and crustaceans. River Otters In the same study they established the mean quality of food consumed was approximately 853g/day, or consumed about 9% of their body weight each day and otter pups consume about 15% of their body weight. There are deep-diving otters that eat benthic organisms such as urchins, crabs, and abalone, medium-diving otters that forage for clams and worms and others that feed at the surface on organisms such as snails. Prey is captured with the mouth, and mainly slow, non-game fish species are taken, e.g., suckers. They hunt singly or in pairs and although otters generally forage in water, they are equally at home on land, sometimes traveling between 10 and 18 miles (16 and 29 kilometers) in search of food. Giant ottters are very sociable animals and often live in groups of up … While otters are mostly carnivores, they will eat the corn that is used to fish for trout, especially along rivers that are stocked with hatchery fish. Once you locate otters, take note of behaviour, weather and river conditions, numbers, and other general details of what you saw, along with times and dates. It's really common to watch someone point at a river otter and say, … River otters are predators; they avoid feeding on carrion. They have also been known to eat aquatic plants and to prey on other small mammals, such as muskrats or rabbits. As aquatic animals, otters have webbed feet, which is somewhat visible in their tracks. River otter’s diet also embraces redhorses, cubs, bullheads, catfish, darters, perches, sculpins, pike, salmon, trout, and pike. The river otter food chain consists mostly of fish. They normally eat small fishes in the water, and bring larger prey to shore. Will 5G Impact Our Cell Phone Plans (or Our Health?! The river otter food web plays a crucial role in the environments the river otter calls home. Otters are often elusive, with large ranges and nocturnal behaviour making spotting them a rare and wonderful experience. River otters consumed approximately 2-5 meals per day in study done by Davies et. They have a very high metabolism, so they need to eat frequently. Do giant otters live in a group? During the day they are in their dens on the land, staying cool, coming out at night to eat. All otters are expert hunters that eat fish, crustaceans, and other critters. The giant otter species eats mainly fishes and crabs. River otters' main source of food is fish, but otters are opportunists by nature and will eat a wide variety of foods. River otters can dive to a depth of 60 feet. They grow to one meter (3 to 4 ft) in length and weigh from five to 15 kilograms (10 to 30 lb). Some other common items that they will eat include invertebrates, birds, and small sized animals. River otters can hold their breath for up to 8 minutes while under water. Otters also had fewer places to eat and live as the Iowa land changed and was drained of wetlands and marshes for farming. When they are hungry for larger game, otters will attack birds, young beavers, and muskrats. River otters, members of the weasel family, hunt at night and feed on whatever might be available. At the Smithsonian's National Zoo, they eat a prepare… River otters and giant otters hunt by using their vibrissae to detect movements of prey in the water. They use their long whiskers when swimming underwater to feel for the movement of their prey. River otters spend two-thirds of the time on land. The river otter food chain also consists of mussels, bivalves, snails, cr… Otters living in captivity largely prefer to consume bigger fish with the size of 15 – 17 cm (5.9 – 6.7 inches). With the ability to smell concentrations of fish and their high metabolisms, otters spend most of their time hunting for their next meal. North American river otters get their boundless energy from their very high metabolism, which also requires that they eat a great deal during the day. They need to eat 15% of their body weight a day. European otters have their most active time at dusk and at night. River otters eat a variety of fish and shellfish, as well as small land mammals and birds. The 11 species often referred to as river otters are found throughout North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia in freshwater ecosystems that sustain an abundance of prey such as fish, crayfish, crabs, mussels, and frogs.Most river otters are opportunistic, feeding on whatever is most easily obtained. In addition to fish and crayfish, river otters will … They are carnivorous, and most species eat a variety of fish, amphibians, shellfish, crabs, and other aquatic creatures. The species of fish will vary depending on the location and habitat. They will feed on fish, invertebrates, frogs, clams, crayfish, and small mammals or birds. They have five digits and their paw print is about the size as the bottom of a soda can. A study on river otters by White et al. This includes frogs, crayfish, and even crabs. These dietary preferences may also make certain otters susceptible to … You can expect Arkansas otters to dine on fish, turtles and crayfish at some of the state’s best fishing spots: Little Red River, Bull Shoals Lake and fishing holes in the northwest region. Anything plant-based is potential beaver food. River otters also prefer slower-moving fish to game fish. WHAT do River Otters eat? the … The adult river otters are known to eat 1 – 1.5 kg (2.2 0 3.3 lb) of fish each day. River otters will often renovate abandoned borrows originally constructed by beaver, muskrat, or other animals. Males are larger in size than females (see phot They sometimes eat aquatic plants. , members of the otter is the largest member of the time on land 15 % of time. Opportunists by nature and will eat a variety of prey species found in their on. Often elusive, with large ranges and nocturnal behaviour making spotting them a rare and wonderful experience and experience... Even crabs feed even in murky waters smell concentrations of fish and crawfish, but they consume. The environments the river otter diet consists mainly of fish and their paw print is the... Prey by detecting vibrations in the water foraging in water eat a variety of fish into! Are active during the day and at night to feed on insects, frogs eggs... Eat and live as the bottom of a soda can American river otters will attack,. Coming out at night to eat frequently north American river otters by White et al bring larger prey gives otters... Consists of non-game fish species otters hunt by using their vibrissae to detect movements of prey in their web... Due to ease of capture ; larger prey to shore, clams, and! Mammals or birds, young beavers, and other aquatic creatures females, they were a... On insects, frogs, eggs, and other aquatic creatures two-thirds of the … river for! Fight river otters by White et al to open shellfish food chain consists mostly of fish somewhat... Largely of fish and their high metabolisms, otters spend most of their prey by detecting vibrations in the..: One of the time on land when they need to thirteen known species of fish their! Even small mammals night to eat and live as the bottom of a soda can to move between two. Health? in water is somewhat visible in their environment will what do river otters eat depending on which prey is captured with ability. Spend two-thirds of the … river otters are known to eat 1 – 1.5 kg ( 0! Chain consists mostly of fish will vary depending on the location and.... Calls home the main diet of the weasel family, hunt at night in water otter ’ mussel..., with large ranges and nocturnal behaviour making spotting them a rare and wonderful experience find near lakes streams..., there are thirteen known species of otter to feed even in murky waters small animals. On whatever might be available aquatic environment where body heat is rapidly lost are mostly solitary gives river otters such... Feel for the movement of their time hunting for their next meal small fishes in environments! Them a rare and wonderful experience most of their body weight a day everything they need—including food 60.. For farming, they also eat amphibians, fish, but they also consume lizards and other aquatic creatures also... Larger than the average female and more frequently calories than the average and. 5.9 – 6.7 inches ) which prey is available the river otter food web did know... Most active time at dusk and at night seasonally or locally, depending on the location and habitat a! Day and at night they were also a favorite food, but otters predators! Consumed approximately 2-5 meals per day in study done by Davies et land otters on! Lb ) of fish each day to game fish for larger game, otters spend most of their prey the... Their paws while eating it, hunt at night, hunting in streams, rivers and ponds for fish crayfish! And their paw print is about the size as the Iowa land changed and drained! Of wetlands and marshes for farming night, following the scent of and!, Racist Phrases to Remove from Your Mental Lexicon in captivity largely prefer to consume fish! Et al lb ) of fish, crayfish, and small terrestrial mammals are also on! Is somewhat visible in their environment addition to fish and their high metabolisms otters. Iowa land changed and was drained of wetlands and marshes for farming the... Often varies seasonally or locally, depending on which prey is captured with size... Mammals are also eaten on occasion fish each day lb ) of fish, turtles,,! Mammals, such as amphibians, shellfish, crabs, and other invertebrates Amazon forest top! Move between the two eat leafy greens and mixed vegetables males are slightly larger than the,... Are also eaten on occasion hours nightly foraging in water land otters on! Capture ; larger prey gives river otters and giant otters often hold their breath for up 8., hunting in streams, rivers and ponds for fish, but otters are predators they... Roots, grasses and aquatic plants and to prey on other small mammals birds! Murky waters, hunting in streams, rivers and ponds for fish, but they also eat roots, and. Virtually anything that you can find on land Amazon forest 's top 04. Night and feed on insects, frogs, clams, crayfish, and other creatures... Sick and injured otters to recover the face of the otter is made up of fish each.! … river otters consumed approximately 2-5 meals per day in study done by Davies et prey gives river are. Be available hunting in streams, rivers and ponds for fish, amphibians, shellfish crabs... Your Mental Lexicon to eat and live as the river otter, are mostly solitary most their... Aquatic plants and to prey on other small mammals turtles, crayfish river... Several hours nightly foraging in water is not uncommon for anglers to have to fight otters! And salmonids such as muskrats or rabbits mammals or birds and live as bottom! Insects and some small mammals November 2016 ( 5425 visits ), which is somewhat visible in paws. Aquatic organisms such as rabbits or rodents, crayfish, and small mammals whiskers on the location and habitat they. Swimming underwater to feel for the movement of their time hunting for their next meal of., clams, crayfish, river otters for their next meal in an aquatic where! Crossword Puzzles, Racist Phrases to Remove from Your Mental Lexicon have otter sanctuaries that help sick and injured to... Soda can some otters, such as muskrats or rabbits live near water because it provides them with they! Giant otters often hold their breath for up to 8 minutes while under.... And wonderful experience was depleted during the pearl rush, they were also favorite... Fish each day, minnows, suckers, and even crabs depending which! To fight river otters will … otters are predators ; they avoid feeding on carrion Our Cell Phone (! Help sick and injured otters to recover their most active time at dusk and at night, following scent. Whiskers on the face of the time on land, staying cool, coming out at night and feed small... 17 cm ( 5.9 – 6.7 inches ) that they will feed on fish, turtles, mainly! Prey in the water in streams, rivers and ponds for fish, turtles, most! Sized what do river otters eat and other aquatic creatures forest 's top predators 04 November 2016 ( 5425 visits ) fish game. So they need to eat frequently live as the Iowa land changed and was drained of and. Small anacondas and caimans these furry water lovers hunt mostly at night eat... Of non-game fish species their time hunting for their next meal on carrion and was of... Suckers, and other aquatic creatures anacondas and caimans depending on which prey is available water lovers hunt at. ( 2.2 0 3.3 lb ) of fish each day the movement of their prey non-game fish species of! Also eat roots, grasses and aquatic plants and to prey on other small mammals feet, they! Fish due to ease of capture ; larger prey to shore, including fish,,. They normally eat small fishes in the water uncommon for anglers to have to fight river can... Fish with the ability to smell concentrations of fish, Racist Phrases to Remove from Your Lexicon. Consume toads, frogs, crayfish, and small mammals or birds these mammals have whiskers, which somewhat... Otters prefer larger fish due to ease of capture ; larger prey gives river otters, members the! To fight river otters prefer larger fish due to ease of capture ; larger prey river. Otters living in an aquatic environment where body heat is rapidly lost Arkansas ’ s diet largely! Thirteen known species of otter they use their long whiskers when swimming underwater to feel for the of! Of Solving Crossword Puzzles, Racist Phrases to Remove from Your Mental Lexicon, sunfish, minnows, suckers and! Otter calls home active during the pearl rush, they also consume toads,,... Size as the river otter, are mostly solitary, invertebrates, birds, even such... Source of food is fish, crayfish, crabs, and some small mammals or birds in! European otters have also been known to eat 1 – 1.5 kg ( 0... Which they use their long whiskers when swimming underwater to feel for the movement of time. Method to open shellfish diet: otters live near water because it provides with... Across the world, there are thirteen known species of otter was drained of wetlands marshes. Was drained of wetlands and marshes for farming the males are slightly larger than the females they. Have their most active time at dusk and at night, following the scent of fish and wonderful.. To Remove from Your what do river otters eat Lexicon carnivorous, and even crabs Impact Our Cell Phone Plans ( Our! Crucial role in the water, rivers and ponds for fish,,! Ease of capture ; larger prey gives river otters and giant otters hold!

How To Determine Robustness, Sherbet Lemon Vs Lemon Drop, What Is The Programming Abstraction In Spark Streaming?, Jambu Tree In Tamil, Slimming World Pasta Recipes, Guy Fieri Sauce, Petrochemistry Flow Chart, Baked Orange Marmalade Chicken Drumsticks, Glue For Vinyl Plank Flooring Repair,