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Animal Size

North American river otter size: How big do they get?

How big does a North American river otter get? Here is an overview over the average adult age:

A grown North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) reaches an average size of 68.5 cm (2′ 3″).

When born, they have an average size of 0 cm (0′ 0″). During their lifetime of about 25 years, they grow from 136 grams (0.3 lbs) to 8.09 kg (17.83 lbs). A North American river otter has 2 babies at once. The North American river otter (genus: Lontra) is a member of the family Mustelidae.

As a reference: Humans reach an average body size of 1.65m (5′ 5″) while carrying 62 kg (137 lbs). A human woman is pregnant for 280 days (40 weeks) and on average become 75 years old.

The average adult size of a North American river otter is (2' 3

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.

Animals of the same family as a North American river otter

We found other animals of the Mustelidae family:

Animals with the same size as a North American river otter

Not that size really matters, but it makes things comparable. So here are a couple of animals that are as big as North American river otter:

Animals with the same litter size as a North American river otter

Here is a list of animals that have the same number of babies per litter (2) as a North American river otter:

Animals with the same life expectancy as a North American river otter

Completely different animals, but becoming as old as a North American river otter:

Animals with the same weight as a North American river otter

As a comparison, here are some other animals that weight as much as the Lontra canadensis: