North American river otter, Lontra canadensis, Victoria, BC, Canada Stock Photo - Red Circle Images RM. The river otter has a few natural enemies: wolves, foxes, and raptors. And for at least 10,000 years, long before colonisation, British Columbia’s coastal First Nations harvested shellfish and managed otter … Sealions are massive! Beacon Hill Park is a 75 ha (200 acre) park located along the shore of Juan de Fuca Strait in Victoria, British Columbia.The park is popular both with tourists and locals, and contains a number of amenities including woodland and shoreline trails, two playgrounds, a waterpark, playing fields, a petting zoo, tennis courts, many ponds, and landscaped gardens. They eat fish, shellfish, birds and other small mammals. Without predation by otters, sea urchin populations can grow so large they will devour the kelp forests. Anthropogenic – or human caused – events such as oil spills, fishing net entanglement, and habitat degradation are a serious threat to sea otters, and can have major impacts on their population. Range & Habitat Sea Otters River Otters; 22-32 KG (50-70) lbs. While feeding, sea otters drift on their backs and use their stomachs as a “table” which they can hold their food on while they crack open its shell. You may see them in spots like Esquimalt Harbour and Lagoon, Telegraph Cove, Tofino and Ucluelet harbours, Jack Point in Nanaimo or anywhere there is a dock, estuary, or river. Although we do have a healthy population of otters living around the rocky shores of Vancouver Island, most of these cute furry mammals are actually river otters adapted to living in salt water, rather than the true sea otters most people are familiar with. As a naturalist onboard our whale watching vessels, I often get a lot of questions about the otters we see in Victoria. It is a little confusing, though, because the species most often seen in these waters is the River Otter (Lutra canadensis). River otters can grow to 1.4 metres long and weigh about 13.5 kilograms. Two river otters swimming along in the harbour in Victoria, BC with one coming ashore to eat a caught crab. We also saw loads of sealions and harbour seals. Although similar looking, river otters tend to be skinnier and less furry than their sea otter cousins, and spend much of their time running around on land as well as in the water. I am sadly likely moving soon and it would be amazing to see one before I depart. Dark brown with sleek fur and slender profile and a long tail. Using their whiskers they can sense the movement of their prey to aid in catching it. The North American River Otter (Lontra Canadensis) can be found in many places around Vancouver Island. - Check out Tripadvisor members' 36,164 candid photos and videos of Victoria Kayak Not only are sea otters one of the most adorable mammals found in our ocean, they also play an essential role in their marine ecosystem. River otters give birth to two or three “kits” and the mom looks after them until they are 12 or 13 months old. Dark brown/black with a much lighter teddy bear like head and short tail and very thick fluffy fur. A family of sneaky otters forced the annual Colquitz River salmon count in the Cuthbert Holmes Park to end early. Their diet consists of a wide variety of organisms, including crabs, clams, snails, and sea urchins. They have strong webbed feet for swimming, a long strong tail and thick claws. Their greatest threats are habitat destruction, pollution in the water, and trapping for fur. They have “delayed implantation,” meaning that after the egg is fertilized it stays in the uterus of the mother for nine months until it attaches and begins to grow. Their interesting anatomy and key role within their ecosystem also make them a popular mammal to study. River otter in Victoria BC. Sea otters rarely venture on land since their movements here are awkward and clumsy. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. River Otter. Koksala Canyon (Class 3+ to 4, 2 hours) The Koksala Canyon is a lively, introductory creeking run … Females are slightly smaller, weighing 14–33 kg (72 lbs) and measuring 1–1.4 m (4.6 ft) in length. Known as a keystone species, sea otters have a greater effect on their environment than other organisms within that system. Amazingly, sea otters are one of the few mammals on Earth which utilize tools to help them feed; a skill which was once thought to be possessed only by humans. It is a little confusing, though, because the species most often seen in these waters is the River Otter (Lutra canadensis). Ollie the sea otter. Sea Otters & River Otters Otters are often seen along the British Columbia coast. I've lived in Victoria for almost 2 glorious years and have yet to be graced by the marvelous sight of a single otter (I know river otters are more common here). In B.C., this animal is found in the Georgia Depression and Coast and Mountain ecoprovinces. This species is one of the most common mammals along the beaches and rocky shores, but … We feature 65,000,000 royalty free photos, 337,000 stock footage clips, digital videos, vector clip art images, clipart pictures, background graphics, medical illustrations, and maps. This thick fur needs to be clean however, in order for the insulating air layer to be maintained between the water and their skin. These young ladies are doing well, growing and continue to eat alot. Over the past few years however, we have had the exciting chance to view true sea otters near Victoria, as an increase in their population has brought them closer to home. In addition, sea otters also play an indirect role in the reduction of carbon emissions into our atmosphere. It weighs between 5 to 11 kg (11-25 pounds) and its thick tail is 17 to 18 inches long. u12495868 Fotosearch Stock Photography and Stock Footage helps you find the perfect photo or footage, fast! When not grooming, sea otters spend a huge part of their day foraging for food. An adult sea otter consumes approximately 25% of its body weight each day in order to maintain its high metabolism! Due to their thick fur, sea otters became a major target of the maritime fur trade in the 18th and 19th century. Tours depart from both Fishermans Wharf in Victoria and from the Inner Harbour (foot of Broughton Street). Unlike their river otter cousins, sea otters spend almost their entire lives in the water, rarely coming onto dry land. In order to withstand the cold water in which they live, sea otters have the greatest density of fur of any mammal. From this unique perspective, your guides describe Victoria’s historic waterways that make up the downtown and the working harbour. They are hunted by bald eagles, some bears and coyotes. Sea otter floating in kelp. In collaboration with Environment Canada and the BC Ministry Environment, UBC graduate student, Cait Nelson, investigated contaminant exposure in coastal river otter from Victoria, British Columbia, (Thesis available online by clicking here). They usually have dark fur with a lighter belly. They use their sense of touch to find and catch food underwater. This tour has it all! You may also encounter eagles, herons, cormorants, river otters, seals and seagulls. River Otters are small aquatic mammals. woman says she was viciously attacked by a river otter while swimming in one of the province’s lakes earlier this month. Otters are carnivorous and feed on crustaceans, amphibians, reptiles, birds, insects, and most commonly, fish. Sea otters can often be seen using rocks, driftwood, or even empty clam shells to help them break into the tough shells of their prey. Habitat. They mostly hunt by diving and chasing in the water and … Sea otters, (scientific name Enhydra lutris), have had a troubled past off the west coast of British Columbia. This year, during many of our whale watching excursions, we have had the amazing opportunity to view these adorable marine mammals close to Victoria. Sea otter fur is the densest … A B.C. Ollie has been known to kill river otters and small seals to ‘have his way’ with! 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. They have strong webbed feet for swimming, a long strong tail and thick claws. They have the longest lasting fur of the entire otter/weasel family, and have been hunted for fur in many areas across North America. Consider taking a Kayak tour in Victoria Canada. Feeding Behavior. Registered charitable number: 11914 9797 RR0001. Although sea otter populations are continuing to increase around British Columbia, they are not out of the woods quite yet. The River Otter is three to four feet long with sharp claws, a slender body and it has a diamond shaped nose. Canadian Coast Guard and First Nations continue to contain the active oil slick caused by the historic Bligh Island shipwreck leak off Northwest Vancouver Island. Due to a ban in hunting, and reintroduction of a small population back into British Columbia, the sea otter populations off the west coast of Vancouver Island have been slowly increasing. The river otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur. Unlike many marine mammals such as seals and sea lions, sea otters have no insulating fat layer on their body to keep them warm in the water, therefore their amazingly dense fur serves to insulate them and keep them from becoming hypothermic. Although they are one of the smallest marine mammals we see in our area, sea otters are one of the most charismatic and well known animals in the Pacific Northwest. River Otters have long, slender bodies, with long tails that they use for steering while they swim. Today, however, the news on sea otters is much less grim. Sea otters are the largest member of the family Mustelidae (70 species of river otters, skunks, weasels, badgers, etc.) The pelage (covering, or coat, of a mammal, whether of wool, fur, or hair) is brown or reddish brown. Therefore, sea otters must have relatively advanced structures within their brain to make these connections. River otters are often confused with Sea Otters since they frequent salt as well as fresh water. In the background stands the BC Legislative Building and the historic Fairmont Empress. River Otter Animals Images Otters British Columbia Habitats Wildlife Victoria Nature Naturaleza. Males weigh 22–45 kg (99 lbs) and are 1.2–1.5 m (5 ft) in length. 1119 Wharf Street Victoria, B.C. River otters can grow to 1.4 metres long and weigh about 13.5 kilograms. 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