Off and on for the past week, I’ve been hiding near a pond where we keep seeing fresh signs of North American River Otters. It’s been cold, boring, and unsuccessful, but the sight of otters playing is worth the nuisance. (The images here are from prior photographic hunts.)
It’s always reassuring to have these large weasels nearby, since they’re like the proverbial canary in the mine warning system – they avoid polluted areas. Although capable of traveling long distances on land, the otter (Lontra canadensis) is really at home in water.
It has all the latest equipment for hunting and playing in water: webbed feet; undulating tails; self-sealing ears and nostrils; special lungs that allow up to eight-minute underwater hunts; special eyes that increase vision in murky water, and whiskers that are sensitive to underwater vibrations caused by prey or playmates.
Otters often are seen in small, happy-go-lucky groups, which are known by numerous collective names, including bevy; family; lodge; raft, and – our favorite – “a romp of otters.” (Brooklin, Maine)