North American river otter
The North American river otter, also known as the northern river otter and river otter, is a semiaquatic mammal that lives only on the North American continent, along its waterways and coasts. An adult North American river otter can weigh between 5.0 and 14 kg. The river otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur.
North American river otter
Skull of a North American river otter
The North American river otter's streamlined shape allows it to glide through the water.
The North American river otter's sensitive whiskers allow it to detect prey in murky water
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.
Otter
Sign warning drivers in Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides to beware of otters on the road
"Kawauso" (獺) from the Gazu Hyakki Yagyō by Sekien Toriyama
Image: Fischotter Lutra lutra 1