River otter

River otter Lutra canadensis

Description

River Otter

A small aquatic mammal native to inland rivers in North America (Lontra candensis) and Europe (Lutra lutra). River otters were once widely hunted and trapped for their dense soft furs. The species is now protected in many areas and has been reintroduced to the U.K.

Synonyms and Related Terms

North American otter (Lontra candensis); Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra, also called the European otter and the common otter)

River otter skins

Physical and Chemical Properties

Guard hair is gray-brown and very silky. Underfur is very soft and dense.

Resources and Citations

• Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "otter." Accessed14 Sept. 2005.

• Edward Reich, Carlton J. Siegler, Consumer Goods: How to Know and Use Them, American Book Company, New York City, 1937

• Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otter (Accessed Sept. 14, 2005)

• The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998