OTTER CONTINUED

Range and Habitat: Fresh water otter of lakes, streams, rivers and sloughs; formerly found over much of the country but range has decreased; found in northern Minnesota primarily; also found in Canada and northern Great Lakes states and East Coast and as far south as Mexico; are also found in salt and brackish waters of coastal areas.

Habits and Adaptations: Aquatic/terrestrial, excellent swimmer and diver; active day and night but more so in the evening and early morning; extremely playful and curious; creates mud slides and snow slides into the lakes and ponds; tunnels under snow; may combine running and sliding as a method of locomotion over snow and ice. Dens are lined with dry vegetation. Does not migrate or hibernate. Can remain submerged about 2 minutes; shrill whistle, snarl, growl and hiss are vocal sounds; females seem to be more aggressive than males in all situations; have acute sense of touch and smell; family social groups.

Diet: Preys on aquatic foods such as crayfish, fish, amphibians; seems to prefer suckers and non-game fish; occasionally small beaver and muskrat are taken; eats on dry land (in contrast to sea otters).

Breeding and Maturation: Life expectancy in the wild is about 8 years. Mating occurs in late winter or early spring; mating usually in water; gestation is about 10 months; 2 to 4 cubs are born, 8" in length covered with short fur and eyes closed; eyes open in about 30-38 days; remain in nest 10-12 weeks; male joins family when young leave nest. Young at first are reluctant to enter the water and must be taught to swim; at one year they are full grown and at two years they are sexually mature; it is believed to exhibit delayed implantation of the egg (the fertilized egg after severing blastocyst ceases growth and lies inactive until implantation occurs).

Miscellaneous: Den is well hidden in bank along water's edge - the main entrance is under water; enemies are man, eagles, bobcats, coyotes and owls. Trapped as fur source.