Sea otter numbers have declined in southwestern Alaska over the past 20 years. RANGE: River otters are found throughout Alaska except in the Aleutian Islands, off-shore islands of the Bering Sea and areas adjacent to the Arctic coast east of Point Lay. River otters are one of our favorite ani. Coastal river otters in Alaska have smaller home ranges than otters in inland waterways because coastal areas provide an abundance of food. For the males, much of their social life centers on a shared bathroom area. Although northern sea otters are found along the coast of Alaska, Canada, and Washington and in the Aleutian Islands, only the southwest stock in Alaska has been decreasing (Figure 1, panel A). Latrines offer river otters a stinky “phone a friend” with their neighbors. River otters use openings in the ice, and will sometimes even break through beaver dams, to gain access to rivers and other waters. Alaska has both river otters and sea otters. Alaska Otters can weigh up to 100 pounds and be up to 5 feet in length. Effects of climate change on animal behavior and cascading ecosystem responses are rarely evaluated. These Otters are large in size ranging from 40"-50" in length from nose to tip of tail. Chasing is also a common game. Sea otters are the ones that like to float on their backs, and river otters don't really do that. The dog’s owner waded waist-deep into Taku Lake and was bitten on his hand while pulling the husky-mix away from the river otters, Alaska Public Media reported. Otter play mostly consists of wrestling with conspecifics. They usually breed in the months of December to April. 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. The otters deposit their … Fly In Alaskan Wilderness Lodge. Historically, sea otters were nearly hunted to extinction, first by the Russians who forced the Aleut and Alutiiq people to hunt and later by the Americans after the Alaska purchase. Coastal river otters in Alaska either form family groups or large groups of males, presumably in an effort to more efficiently capture pelagic fish (Blundell et al. We also sell stock photography through AccentAlaska.com. A river otter has a strong neck and a jaw that is capable of cracking shells of crustaceans plus teeth for ripping meat. Secret places to explore are found at Yu. As little as 50% of the southwest stock remains since the 1980s, and the Aleutian Archipelago population decreased from ≈74,000 to 8,742 by 2000. Researchers are now working to understand how otters use these latrine sites to communicate and build social groups. There are many places to see bears in Alaska, but if your goal is to make sure you see a bear -- and potentially lots of bears -- these are the best places (but note that, in most cases, you have to time your trip to salmon runs, when bears are present):. I have also saved all the skulls. LIFE SPAN: Up to 10 in the wild, mid-20’s under human managed care. It is estimated that there were between 100,000 and 150,000 sea otters in and around Alaska waters at the time of the Russian arrival in 1741. River otters use their scent to mark their territorial boundaries. A sea otter floats in the water outside Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska. Based on Coastal Latrine Site Surveys. 2004). Population estimates made between 2004 and 2007 give a worldwide total of approximately 107,000 sea otters. Alaska Photo Source (dba Donna Dewhurst Photography) specializes in Alaskan wildlife, landscapes, places to visit and outdoor activities. Conversely, solitary otters, mainly females, feed on intertidal-demersal fish and display mutual … The otters were hunted to near-extinction, but a treaty signed in 1911 marked the end of their decline. River otters are polygynous. Alaska. River otters, however, can hold their breath for up to 8 minutes. Please let me know if anyone is interested. Hi, I have several male River Otters caught this year in the Prince William Sound of Alaska. Photo by Jim Pfeiffenberger, National Park Service. EXPERIENCE THE YUKON. North american river otter. North American river otters live near permanent watersheds throughout North America, from Alaska and northern Canada south to the Gulf of Mexico. Sea otters currently have stable populations in parts of the Russian east coast, Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, and California, with reports of recolonizations in Mexico and Japan. River otters are renowned for their sense of play. It’s nice to have the neighbors visit. July 30, 2009 . Scent Communication. Once containing more than half of the world’s sea otters, this population segment, which ranges from Kodiak Island through the western Aleutian Islands, has undergone an overall population decline of at least 55–67 percent since the mid-1980s. I can skin them however desired. Brown Trout Pair of Brown Trout Both male and female becomes mature after two years of age. Identifying exposure to T. gondii and L. interrogans in otters from Washington State but not in otters from Alaska suggests that living proximal to higher human density and its associated agricultural activities, domestic animals, and rodent populations could enhance river otter exposure to these pathogens. 9. Keep checking back for an ever expanding selection of image galleries. River otters on the coast of Alaska lead unusual lives. River Otters live mostly in the Northern part of Alaska, but many thrive in the Southern parks established for their protection. River Otters Reproduction | River Otter Facts. Northern River Otters (Lontra canadensis) returning to the ice shelf with a silver salmon, Seward. The Best Bear Viewing. ANCHORAGE, Alaska — An Alaska man rescued his family’s dog from an attack by river otters in a small lake at an Anchorage park, he said. winter travel Yukon River. Wild Alaska: River Otter Edition While Alaska's sea otters are far better known, and arguably cuter, our rivers have otters, too! Sea otters are not related to seals or sea lions, but are rather a member of the mink family. The river otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur. When it comes to picking a good place to socialize, the bathroom probably isn’t high on your list. Freeze up at Yukon River Lodge 2020. The gestation period lasts for 61 – 63 days. The increased time underwater improves otters’ opportunity to sense prey and forage for food. 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