Did You Know???

The Natural Resources Trust of Plainville helps to protect a local population of river otters. These sleek, streamlined 3-4 foot long aquatic mammals live in rivers, streams, ponds, and marshes in Canada and the USA. They are a member of the weasel family. Their scientific name is Lutra canadensis (Genus, species). The river otter was once hunted for its beautiful, dense fur and is vulnerable due to habitat loss, overhunting (where trapping is legal), and pollution- as carnivores high in the food chain they accumulate mercury, PCBs and other toxins.

River otters are most active at night, resting during the day in underground dens, but if you walk along the mill canal trail quietly, you may come upon a curious young otter.

River otters are kept warm by their dense fur and high metabolism. They are active all year long, even through very cold winters. Careful grooming with their forepaws keeps the fur waterproof. They are carnivores and eat crayfish, fish, amphibians, insects, small mammals and birds. They hunt for prey in water and on land and use a keen sense of smell and whiskers to find prey in muddy water.

In winter they often create snowslides down steep banks.