River Otter
Last Update/Review: June 3, 2002
Lutra canadensis
The most aquatic of "land" mammals, the river otter is well adapted to fishing in cold northern waters. This web-footed weasel has a thick layer of insulating fat under its short, dense fur, thus allowing for year-round activity. They may be 125 centimetres long and weigh 11 kilograms.
Otters have never been abundant in Alberta. Moderate numbers still occur throughout the mixedwood, northern foothill and montane zones. In the winter their tracks may be found along frozen streambeds where they search for icefree holes to hunt fish, freshwater clams and other aquatic animals. Because of their size and habits, otters have few natural enemies.
Mating usually occurs in February. One to four kits are born in late April, often in an abandoned muskrat den.
Trapping
Because of their naturally low population densities, river otters are trapped under a quota system that restricts the number of animals taken by each trapper. In 2000-2001, Alberta trappers produced 446 otter pelts at a mean price of $117.10 per pelt, or a total production for the province of $52 227.
Otters are trapped from early December to mid-April in the foothills and boreal forests of central and northern Alberta. Pelts are in their prime from early November to mid-January.
