River Otter Facts

• Thick, compact fur helps keep river otters insulated as they swim, even in very cold water.
• River otters live in burrows along riverbanks. They usually take over abandoned dens made by other animals such as beavers.
• A river otter's tail is about one-third the animal's total length.
• Female river otters give birth in the spring. Baby otters are born blind and stay in the den until they are about one month old. When they are several months old their mother coaxes them into the water and they learn to swim.
• The North American River Otter is found throughout most of the United States (except Hawaii) and Canada.
• The main threats to river otters are water pollution and habitat destruction.

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