Otter Play
Earlier this year I had a wonderful day with River Otters. Three youngsters, almost full grown, were in a playful mood and seemed to crave physical contact with each other, rolling around with each other, sometimes throwing themselves over each other on their back. When they hunt, they do it well. It doesn't take them long to catch a fish, frog, tadpole or other aquatic prey. Friends of mine saw one catch a duckling, but that is the exception rather than the rule. According to Wikipedia, North American River Otters delay implantation for at least 8 months which means that birth occurs as much as 10-12 months after copulation. Dads don't contribute to raising the kits leaving it to mom to give birth, protect and teach the young how to survive. They stay with mom for about a year before searching for their own territory. (Lontra canadensis)
Otter Play
Earlier this year I had a wonderful day with River Otters. Three youngsters, almost full grown, were in a playful mood and seemed to crave physical contact with each other, rolling around with each other, sometimes throwing themselves over each other on their back. When they hunt, they do it well. It doesn't take them long to catch a fish, frog, tadpole or other aquatic prey. Friends of mine saw one catch a duckling, but that is the exception rather than the rule. According to Wikipedia, North American River Otters delay implantation for at least 8 months which means that birth occurs as much as 10-12 months after copulation. Dads don't contribute to raising the kits leaving it to mom to give birth, protect and teach the young how to survive. They stay with mom for about a year before searching for their own territory. (Lontra canadensis)