North American river otter Facts for Kids
Lontra canadensis · LON-truh kan-uh-DEN-sis
A playful swimmer that slides down muddy banks and snowy hills.
- 🏃 15 mph24 km/h1
- ⚖️ weight: not yet checked
- 📏 3.3 to 4.5 ft1 to 1.4 m1 long
- 🎂 lifespan: not yet checked
- 🍽️ fish
- Doing fine (Least Concern)
River otters love to play. They slide on mud and snow, then splash into the water. They have webbed feet and a long, strong tail.
A river otter's thick fur keeps it warm, and its webbed feet, strong tail and whiskers make it a great swimmer. It can close its ears and nose when it dives. Otter pups have to be taught to swim by their mother.
North American river otters are in the weasel family, with two layers of fur: long hairs on top and a soft, thick coat underneath that traps air to keep the otter warm. Otters play a lot, and scientists think play helps young otters learn and stay together as a family. Because otters need clean water full of fish, they are a good sign of a healthy river. Pollution and hunting once made them rare in many places, but after cleanups and protection, otters are back in many rivers.
How big is a North American river otter?
North American river otter in numbers
| Length | 3.3 to 4.5 ft1 to 1.4 m1 |
|---|---|
| Height at the shoulder | no checked number yet |
| Weight | no checked number yet |
| Top speed (hopping) | 15 mph24 km/h1hopping and sliding on snow or ice |
| How long it lives | no checked number yet |
| What it eats | fish, crayfish, frogs and other small water animals |
| Where it lives | rivers, lakes and marshes across North America |
| What kind | Mammals |
| Is it in danger? | Doing fine (Least Concern)2 |
A number we couldn’t find on a page we trust says so, instead of guessing.
Wow!
- Otter pups have to be taught to swim by their mother.
- A river otter can close its ears and nose underwater.
- Otters slide on their bellies across snow and ice, which is also a quick way to travel.
Compare the North American river otter
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Books about the North American river otter, free at the library
Ask a grown-up to tap the button: it shows where to borrow a book about the North American river otter for free.
Where these numbers come from
- National Park Service, Yellowstone, checked 30 October 2026.
- Wikidata, from the IUCN Red List, checked 30 October 2026.
- Wikidata, North American river otter (Q327028), checked 30 October 2026.