🦦 River Otter
Lontra canadensis
Mammal5, partly webbed toes2.5–3.5 in wide, round
About
Find otter tracks and you'll often find a slide: a smooth belly-run down a muddy or snowy bank.
Track
2.5–3.5 in wide, round. Five toes, often with partial webbing showing. Round, splayed print. Claw marks small but present. Frequently beside slides or scat near water.
Where they live
Rivers, lakes, marshes, coastal estuaries. Waterways across Canada and much of the United States.
When they're active
Active day and night, peaking around dawn and dusk
What they eat
Fish, crayfish, amphibians, mussels
Fun fact
Otters have around 850,000 hairs per square inch — the densest fur of any animal.
Should I be concerned?
Usually harmless — keep dogs back, as otters will defend a fishing spot.