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Litter Size

How many babies does a North American river otter have at once? (litter size)

How many baby North American river otters are in a litter?

A North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) usually gives birth to around 2 babies.

Each of those little ones spend around 58 days as a fetus before they are released into the wild. Upon birth, they weight 136 grams (0.3 lbs) and measure 91.3 cm (3′ 0″). They are a member of the Mustelidae family (genus: Lontra). An adult North American river otter grows up to a size of 68.5 cm (2′ 3″).

To have a reference: Humans obviously usually have a litter size of one ;). Their babies are in the womb of their mother for 280 days (40 weeks) and reach an average size of 1.65m (5′ 5″). They weight in at 62 kg (137 lbs), which is obviously highly individual, and reach an average age of 75 years.

The average litter size of a North American river otter is 2

The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis), also known as the northern river otter or common otter, is a semiaquatic mammal endemic to the North American continent found in and along its waterways and coasts. An adult North American river otter can weigh between 5.0 and 14 kg (11.0 and 30.9 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. Female North American river otters give birth in these burrows, producing litters of one to six young.North American river otters, like most predators, prey upon the most readily accessible species. Fish is a favored food among the otters, but they also consume various amphibians (such as salamanders and frogs), freshwater clams, mussels, snails, small turtles and crayfish. The most common fish consumed are perch, suckers, and catfish. Instances of North American river otters eating small mammals, such as mice and squirrels, and occasionally birds have been reported as well. There have also been some reports of river otters attacking and even drowning dogs.The range of the North American river otter has been significantly reduced by habitat loss, beginning with the European colonization of North America. In some regions, though, their population is controlled to allow the trapping and harvesting of otters for their pelts. North American river otters are very susceptible to the effects of environmental pollution, which is a likely factor in the continued decline of their numbers. A number of reintroduction projects have been initiated to help halt the reduction in the overall population.

Other animals of the family Mustelidae

North American river otter is a member of the Mustelidae, as are these animals:

Animals that share a litter size with North American river otter

Those animals also give birth to 2 babies at once:

Animals that get as old as a North American river otter

Other animals that usually reach the age of 25 years:

Animals with the same weight as a North American river otter

What other animals weight around 8.09 kg (17.83 lbs)?

Animals with the same size as a North American river otter

Also reaching around 68.5 cm (2′ 3″) in size do these animals: