River Otter

Although river otters (Lontra canadensis) once were prevalent in Arizona’s waterways, trapping, pollution and habitat loss significantly reduced their populations. In the 1980s, scientists reintroduced the playful mammals, and they now can be found in streams, lakes and rivers, including the Verde and Gila, along with the Salt River, where this one was photographed. The otters can propel themselves through water at speeds of up to 8 mph, and they typically weigh between 10 and 33 pounds; females are approximately one-third smaller than males. While river otters prefer to live solo or in pairs, otters are highly social creatures and communicate through whistles, buzzes, growls and a variety of other vocalizations. Their diet consists primarily of small aquatic creatures, such as fish, frogs and insects, but they will on occasion eat other, smaller mammals.