River Otters

Observations of River Otters in the Columbia Valley have been increasing. The one pictured here was seen swimming in open water of the Columbia River

Otters rely upon the presence of clean, unpolluted water for their food, primarily fish. The ones in the Columbia Valley feed mainly on Northern Pikeminnows (Squawfish) and in the fall eat spawning Kokanee Salmon. South of Toby Creek you can often see the shell remains from where otters have eaten freshwater mollusks.

Because otters are high in the food chain, they are particularly susceptible to the accumulation of organic compounds and heavy metals. This makes them good indicators of contaminant levels in the aquatic environments. So it is a good sign that River Otter numbers are increasing in the upper Columbia Valley.

Publicado el jueves, 16 de enero de 2020 a las 05:58 AM por larryhalverson larryhalverson

Observaciones

Fotos / Sonidos

Qué

Nutria de Río Norteamericana (Lontra canadensis)

Fecha

Febrero 14, 2011 a las 12:20 PM MST

Descripción

At one point there were 5 otters 'telescoping" within paddle's reach of the canoe. Each one was chewing on a Pikeminnow.
see journal notes https://inaturalist.ca/journal/larryhalverson/29988-river-otters

Fotos / Sonidos

Qué

Nutria de Río Norteamericana (Lontra canadensis)

Fecha

Febrero 14, 2011 a las 12:21 PM MST

Descripción

Observed the Otters on ice edge https://inaturalist.ca/observations/37642170

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