Otters at Beaver Hollow

The North American River Otter is a semi-aquatic mammal found only in North America. River otters are larger than most people imagine, growing to four feet long (including their tail) and weighing more than 25 pounds. They feed primarily on fish, frogs, crayfish, and rodents. Otters live in bank dens along rivers and ponds, and sometimes utilize abandoned beaver lodges. They benefit from the presence of beavers and beaver ponds, which support populations of fish – their preferred meal.

Why otters use breathing holes.

Otters, like other mammals, breathe oxygen from the air. When they are traveling underwater they must come to the surface to breathe. When the water is frozen during the winter, they use openings they’ve maintained in the ice along their travel routes for breathing holes. They also use the holes to drag large fish out onto the ice to eat them. Otters keep their bank dens clean, so they exit their den and come up through a nearby breathing hole to defecate on the ice.

Otters are playful and curious animals!

The FNPCW trail cameras located along the creek often record otter photos, such as the one above. Otters are naturally curious and will look at the camera when they become aware of its presence. It is not often that visitors can catch a glimpse of an otter at Beaver Hollow, however, on a trip along the boardwalk, visitors are sure to see otter “slides”.

Otters make long tracks in the snow as they travel through the wetlands and along the creek. Interestingly, they also travel long distances through the woods. Otters spend only about half their time in the water. There is no explanation as to why they travel cross country other than they are exploring their environs.

Otters are known for being playful. They can occasionally be spotted playing in the snow, wrestling, sliding downhill, or chasing one another. Otters tend to be more active during the day in winter, and at night for the remainder of the year.

Take a trip to Beaver Hollow to look for otter slides and breathing holes. Hint: travel to the end of the boardwalk to see otter activity.