The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) – also known as the northern river otter, common otter, or Canadian otter – is a semiaquatic mammal endemic to the North American continent found in and along its waterways and coasts. It is equally at home in the water and on land. It makes its home in a burrow near the water's edge, and can thrive in river, lake, swamp, or estuary ecosystems. Otter abodes feature numerous tunnels — one of which usually allows them to come and go from the water. River otters eat a variety of aquatic wildlife, such as fish, crayfish, crabs, frogs, birds’ eggs, birds and reptiles such as turtles.
