Northern River Otter

Lontra canadensis

General Status Rank: 
Secure
ELCODE: 
AMAJF10010
Common Name: 
Northern River Otter
Scientific Name: 
Lontra canadensis
Synonyms: 
Lutra canadensis
Naming References: 
W020
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Mammal (Terrestrial Mammal)
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Chordata
Class: 
Mammalia
Order: 
Carnivora
Family: 
Mustelidae
References: 
R169
General Biology

Female Age at Maturity

2 years
References: 
R049

Longevity

13 years (up to 25 years in captivity)
References: 
R049

Economic/Human Considerations

Important fur bearer
References: 
B001
Habitat
Shores of deep, clear waters of lakes, rivers, large marshes, and ocean bays.
References: 
B001
B050
Distribution

Ecozones

Southern Arctic, Taiga Cordillera, Taiga Plains, Taiga Shield, Boreal Cordillera, Boreal Plains
References: 
B001

Distribution

75% of the NWT. Decrease in otter distribution from historical distribution may be spurious; lack information on distribution but >50% (H111).
Score: 
G = 2
References: 
B050
B113
H111

Historical Distribution

86% of the NWT.
References: 
B050

Area of Occupancy

Lack of information on historic and current distributions. S. Melquist and Dronkert (1987 - Wild Furbearer Management and Conservation in North America); decreased slightly from historic levels (perhaps due to smaller population); possible decline, but uncertain (not enough information) (H116).
Score: 
-
References: 
H110
H111
H300
Population

Population Size

Annual harvest data: 1970s = 100, 1980s = <100; 22 harvested only in 2007/08.
Score: 
DF =
References: 
H116
R049

Density

Low to moderate density.
Trends

Trends

Stable in Sahtu (H111), increasing in Inuvik (H110) and Dehcho (H300).
References: 
H110
H111
H300
Threats

Threats

Potential over-trapping but limited trapping in NWT (R049), pollution (oil, accumulation of toxic chemicals in fish) (R050), disease (canine distemper, hepatitis, jaundice, feline panleukopenia) (B113).
Score: 
C = M
References: 
B113
R049

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Pollution (acification of rivers), deforestation,
Score: 
-
References: 
B113
R049
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Secure
Status Rank Description: 
Lack of information but appears secure.
S Rank: 
S4
Decision Process Description: 
Drafted as sensitive by committee: A. Veitch, R. Popko, K. Hickling, J. Nagy, R. Mulders, S. Carriere, J. Lange. Modified to secure by D. Johnson in 2004 (H112) based on more information. Reviewed in 2010, no change. Reviewed in 2015, no change. Reviewed in 2020, no change.
Last Updated: 
February 15, 2024

References

Age Of Maturity

  • Parker BJ (1982) River Otter Canadian status report, 1982 for the Committee on International Trade in Endangered Species. Canadian Wildlife Service RWED Library Call #QL737.C25P37 - R049 Return

Area of Occupancy

  • Nagy J (1999) Personal Communication. Supervisor, Wildlife Management, RWED, Inuvik - H110 Return
  • Veitch A (1999) Personal Communication. Supervisor, Wildlife Management, RWED, Norman Wells - H111 Return
  • Larter Nic (2015) - H300 Return

Economic Status

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Ecozones

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Habitat

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return
  • Foster-Turly P, Macdonald S, and Mason C (editors) (1990) Otters: An Action Plan for their Conservation. International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natrual Resources RWED Library Call #QL737.C25087 - B050 Return

Historical Distribution

  • Foster-Turly P, Macdonald S, and Mason C (editors) (1990) Otters: An Action Plan for their Conservation. International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natrual Resources RWED Library Call #QL737.C25087 - B050 Return

Intrinsic Vulnerability

  • Novak M et al.(editors) (1987) Wild Furbearer Management and Conservation in North America. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources RWED Library Call #SK355.W5 - B113 Return
  • Parker BJ (1982) River Otter Canadian status report, 1982 for the Committee on International Trade in Endangered Species. Canadian Wildlife Service RWED Library Call #QL737.C25P37 - R049 Return

Longevity

  • Parker BJ (1982) River Otter Canadian status report, 1982 for the Committee on International Trade in Endangered Species. Canadian Wildlife Service RWED Library Call #QL737.C25P37 - R049 Return

Naming

  • Nature Serve: An online encyclopedia of life (web application) (2004) Version 4.0 (01 July 2004). Arlington Virginia USA. Association for Biodiversity Information.. http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/NatureServe?init=Species - W020 Return

NWT Known Subspecies

Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Population Size

Mammals Committee: Ron Graf, Ray Case, Robert Mulders, Suzanne Carrière, Alisdair Veitch, Richard Popko, John Nagy, Jen Lange (1999) Personal Communication. RWED, GNWT - H116 Return
,
Parker BJ (1982) River Otter Canadian status report, 1982 for the Committee on International Trade in Endangered Species. Canadian Wildlife Service RWED Library Call #QL737.C25P37 - R049 Return

Range Extent

  • Foster-Turly P, Macdonald S, and Mason C (editors) (1990) Otters: An Action Plan for their Conservation. International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natrual Resources RWED Library Call #QL737.C25087 - B050 Return
  • Novak M et al.(editors) (1987) Wild Furbearer Management and Conservation in North America. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources RWED Library Call #SK355.W5 - B113 Return
  • Veitch A (1999) Personal Communication. Supervisor, Wildlife Management, RWED, Norman Wells - H111 Return

Short Term Trends

  • Nagy J (1999) Personal Communication. Supervisor, Wildlife Management, RWED, Inuvik - H110 Return
  • Veitch A (1999) Personal Communication. Supervisor, Wildlife Management, RWED, Norman Wells - H111 Return
  • Larter Nic (2015) - H300 Return

Taxonomy

  • Wilson, Don E. and Reeder, DeeAnn M. (2005) Mammal Species of the World. A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Johns Hopkins University Press 3rd ed 2142 pages - R169 Return

Threats

  • Novak M et al.(editors) (1987) Wild Furbearer Management and Conservation in North America. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources RWED Library Call #SK355.W5 - B113 Return
  • Parker BJ (1982) River Otter Canadian status report, 1982 for the Committee on International Trade in Endangered Species. Canadian Wildlife Service RWED Library Call #QL737.C25P37 - R049 Return