Otters are carnivorous mammals in the subfamily Lutrinae. The 13 extant otter species are all semiaquatic, aquatic, or marine. Lutrinae is a branch of the Mustelidae family, which includes weasels, badgers, mink, and wolverines, among other animals.

Mar 19, 2025 · otter, (subfamily Lutrinae), any of 13 species of semiaquatic mammals that belong to the weasel family and are noted for their playful behaviour. The otter has a lithe and slender body with short legs, a strong neck, and a long flattened tail …

The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis), also known as the northern river otter and river otter, is a semiaquatic mammal that lives only on the North American continent throughout most of Canada, along the coasts of the United States and its inland waterways.

May 31, 2024 · Charismatic otters are the largest members of the weasel family. Unlike other weasels, otters are semi-aquatic. Their sleek bodies range in size from two to nearly six feet long. Thirteen...

North American river otters, also called Canadian otters, have long, muscular, streamlined bodies with short legs and fully webbed feet bearing non-retractable claws. Their small heads widen to long necks and shoulders, and they have flattened, well-muscled tails.

North American river otters were hunted and trapped extensively for their fur in the 19th and 20th centuries, and are still hunted in some places. They were extirpated from portions of their range, but conservation and reintroduction efforts are helping populations to recover.

There are 13 species in total, ranging from the small-clawed otter to the giant otter. Though most live in freshwater rivers, lakes, and wetlands, the sea otter and the smaller marine otter...

May 27, 2024 · Dating back over a century, otters used to be referred to as land otters as opposed to river otters. Evolution Otters, members of a group that includes minks, badgers, and weasels, differ from other mustelids because they don’t create dens or burrows and can live their whole lives in water.

Jun 30, 2024 · Otters are aquatic mammals that not only live in rivers, but in the ocean as well. They’re believed to be one of the most intelligent species on the planet, as they can even build their own tools. Otters are a species that belongs to the mustelids, meaning they’re related to ferrets, badgers, and minks.

Take a deep dive and learn all about otters - from what they like to eat to how they care for their young. Click here for a library of otters resources.