Northern River Otter

Northern River Otter

Lontra canadensis

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered Endemic
10–20% · With luck
overall probability at Acadia National Park
31 Verified records at Acadia National Park
January Best month highest sighting rate
☀️ Diurnal When it's active during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis), also known as the northern river otter and river otter, is a semiaquatic mammal that is endemic to the North American continent throughout most of Canada and along the coasts of the United States and its inland waterways. An adult North American river otter can weigh between 5 and 14 kilograms (11–31 lb). The river otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur. The North American river otter, a member of the subfamily Lutrinae in the weasel family (Mustelidae), is equally versatile in the water and on land. It establishes a burrow close to the water's edge in river, lake, swamp, coastal shoreline, tidal flat, or estuary ecosystems. The den typically has many tunnel openings, one of which generally allows the otter to enter and exit the body of water. Wikipedia →

10–20% of wildlife watchers report a Northern River Otter sighting in Acadia National Park, based on 31 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

📅 Monthly Probability

30–40
Jan
20–30
Feb
10–20
Mar
20–30
Apr
<5
May
<5
Jun
10–20
Jul
10–20
Aug
5–10
Sep
5–10
Oct
20–30
Nov
30–40
Dec

☀️ When They're Spotted

Most active during daytime hours (6am–6pm) · across all parks (global)

☀️Diurnal
☀️🌙🌙12am6am12pm6pm12am

Global Distribution

Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.

where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is)  ·  parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Probability
1 Redwood National Park 🇺🇸 United States
30–40%
2 Isle Royale National Park 🇺🇸 United States
30–40%
3 Congaree National Park 🇺🇸 United States
20–30%
4 Pacific Rim National Park Reserve 🇨🇦 Canada
20–30%
5 Voyageurs National Park 🇺🇸 United States
20–30%
6 Olympic National Park 🇺🇸 United States
10–20%
7 Great Bear Rainforest 🇨🇦 Canada
10–20%
8 Gros Morne National Park 🇨🇦 Canada
10–20%
9 Grand Teton National Park 🇺🇸 United States
10–20%
10 Great Smoky Mountains National Park 🇺🇸 United States
10–20%
11 Riding Mountain National Park 🇨🇦 Canada
10–20%
12 Yellowstone National Park 🇺🇸 United States
10–20%
13 Acadia National Park 🇺🇸 United States
10–20%
14 Big Cypress National Preserve 🇺🇸 United States
10–20%
15 Jasper National Park 🇨🇦 Canada
5–10%
16 Banff National Park 🇨🇦 Canada
5–10%
17 Rocky Mountain National Park 🇺🇸 United States
<5%
18 Shenandoah National Park 🇺🇸 United States
<5%
19 Everglades National Park 🇺🇸 United States
<5%
20 Kenai Fjords National Park 🇺🇸 United States
Insufficient data
21 Nahanni National Park 🇨🇦 Canada
Insufficient data
22 Kluane National Park 🇨🇦 Canada
Insufficient data
23 Katmai National Park 🇺🇸 United States
Insufficient data
24 Wrangell-St. Elias National Park 🇺🇸 United States
Insufficient data
25 Cape Breton Highlands National Park 🇨🇦 Canada
Insufficient data
26 Yosemite National Park 🇺🇸 United States
Insufficient data
27 Glacier National Park 🇺🇸 United States
Insufficient data
28 Point Pelee National Park 🇨🇦 Canada
Insufficient data
29 Denali National Park 🇺🇸 United States
Insufficient data
30 Big Bend National Park 🇺🇸 United States
Insufficient data

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Northern River Otter in Acadia National Park?

About 11% of wildlife watchers report a Northern River Otter sighting in Acadia National Park, based on 31 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Northern River Otter in Acadia National Park?

January has the highest sighting rate for Northern River Otter in Acadia National Park in our monthly data.

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