River Otter

		SIZE

		HEIGHT:	8 inches tall when standing on all four feet.
		LENGTH:	35-51 inches long.
		WEIGHT:	10-25 lbs

		BREEDING

		MATURITY:	2-3 years
		MATING:	River otters are induced ovulators, meaning that ovulation does not begin until copulation has occurred
		GESTATION:	60-65 days.
		# OF YOUNG :	2-3 pups.

		LIFESTYLE

		HABIT:	River Otters reside in lakes, waterways,
		DIET:	River Otters are piscivores, which means
		LIFESPAN:	9-10 years in the wild. 10-20 years in captivity

		SCIENTIFIC NAME

		FAMILY:	Classified as Lontra Canadensis. Similar species include the badger, fisher, marten, weasel and wolverine.

		GENERAL INFORMATION

		Otters can dive down to depths of 10 feet and can hold their breath up to 40 seconds under water. By using a combination of running and gliding otters have been clocked at speeds of 15-18 mph on ground, and can swim 6-7 mph. works cited: Reed-Smith, Janice. North American River Otter Husbandray Notebook, 2nd Edition. John Ball Zoological Garden. 2001 Dewey, T. and E. Ellis. 2003. "Lontra canadensis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed October 16, 2007 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lontra_canadensis.html.

""My family and I went to Deadwood, SD for a vaction in October and on our way up to Mount Rushmore we stopped at Bear Country USA we loved it and we told all our friends and family how much fun we had. The pictures we took take us back to the car ride through the park and all the exciment and how nervous we were when the bears would circle the cars. We loved Bear Country USA and will go back soon."

Laura
Savage, MN