Lontra canadensis lataxina

(Cuvier, 1823)

Vernacular names
English : North American river otter
French : Loutre du Canada

Classification
Class : Mammalia
Order : Carnivora
Family : Mustelidae
Notes : 6 other subspecies known.

Identification
Body length of 73 cm, tail length of 47 cm, weight of 9.4 kg. Elongated body, short limbs and thick tail. Dense, thick and short pelage. Coloration varies from dark brown to black with gray to dirty white cheeks, chin, belly and breast.

Range and habitat
This subspecies lives east and south-east USA. Species found from Alaska to most of Canada, south to south-west and south-east USA. Lives in rivers, lakes, saltwater marshes, usually with well vegetated shorelines.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species is still fairly common throughout its range although the Mexican population is declining. Vulnerable to water pollution.
Ex-Situ Programs : SSP in America

Observation

 

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