Northern River Otter
Lontra canadensis
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Cordats)
- ClassMammalia (Mamífers)
- OrderCarnivora (Carnívors)
- FamilyMustelidae (Mustelids)
- GenusLontra (New World River Otters)
- SpeciesLontra canadensis (Northern River Otter)
The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis), also known as the northern river otter and river otter, is a semiaquatic mammal that is endemic to the North American continent throughout most of Canada and along the coasts of the United States and its inland waterways. An adult North American river otter can weigh between 5 and 14 kilograms (11–31 lb). The river otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur. The North American river otter, a member of the subfamily Lutrinae in the weasel family (Mustelidae), is equally versatile in the water and on land. It establishes a burrow close to the water's edge in river, lake, swamp, coastal shoreline, tidal flat, or estuary ecosystems. The den typically has many tunnel openings, one of which generally allows the otter to enter and exit the body of water. Wikipedia →
30–40% of wildlife watchers report a Northern River Otter sighting in Redwood National Park, based on 89 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
Closest Relatives at Redwood National Park
Coastal Marten
Martes caurina
Stoat
Mustela erminea
American Black Bear
Ursus americanus
Harbor Seal
Phoca vitulina
California Sea Lion
Zalophus californianus
Gray Fox
Urocyon cinereoargenteus
Striped Skunk
Mephitis mephitis
Common Raccoon
Procyon lotor
Coyote
Canis latrans
Northern Sea Lion
Eumetopias jubatus
Bobcat
Lynx rufus
Northern Elephant Seal
Mirounga angustirostris
📅 Monthly Probability
☀️ When They're Spotted
Most active during daytime hours (6am–6pm) · across all parks (global)
Global Distribution
Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.
where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is) · parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there
Parks Where Found
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Northern River Otter in Redwood National Park?
About 32% of wildlife watchers report a Northern River Otter sighting in Redwood National Park, based on 89 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Northern River Otter in Redwood National Park?
January has the highest sighting rate for Northern River Otter in Redwood National Park in our monthly data.