(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
                                Species otter, river
                                 Species Id M050045
                                   Date 26 AUG 96



TAXONOMY

NAME - otter, river OTHER COMMON NAMES - river otter, Canadian otter, land otter and fish otter ELEMENT CODE - 05/30/84 AOU CODE - 03/05/87 CATEGORY - Mammals PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - Chordata, CLASS AND SUBCLASS - Mammalia, ORDER AND SUBORDER - Carnivora, FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - Mustelidae, Lutrinae GENUS AND SUBGENUS - Lutra, Lontra (Gray) SPECIES AND SSP - canadensis, lataxina SCIENTIFIC NAME - Lutra canadensis lataxina AUTHORITY - Cuvier 1823 TAXONOMY REFERENCES - 45, 154, 134, 152, 12, 57, 74 and 5668 COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY - AKA northern river otter, Canadian otter, land otter, fish otter *57* Taxonomy - 1
                                  (DRAFT) - Status
                                Species otter, river
                                 Species Id M050045
                                   Date 26 AUG 96



STATUS

Coded Status Sensitive See Comments REFERENCES FOR STATUS - 90, 154, 57, 4344, 5293 and 6917 COMMENTS ON STATUS - Scarce where waters polluted, residues of pesticides, including Hg, DDT, and metabolites, mirex reported from tissues, highly susceptible to overharvest as travel extensively in restricted avenues of waterways *57* Game mammal in MO code, although there is no open season *5293,6917* Status - 1
                               (DRAFT) - Distribution
                                Species otter, river
                                 Species Id M050045
                                   Date 26 AUG 96



DISTRIBUTION

References on County Occurrence - 001, 003, 007, 011, 025, 029, 031, 033, 036, 037, 041, 047, 049, 053, 057, 059, 061, 065, 069, 073, 075, 081, 083, 085, 087, 093, 095, 097, 099, 101, 103, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 117, 119, 125, 127, 131, 133, 135, 137, 143, 145, 147, 149, 153, 157, 159, 175, 177, 179, 181, 183, 193, 199, 550, 700, 735, 800 and 810 References on Seasonal Occurrence - Handley and Patton also note specimens from Amherst, Franklin, Patrick and Fairfax City, but this is 1947 information *152*; tracks in snow observed in Wise 1977, one trapped in Frederick 1977, no other recent records in western VA *154* References on County Abundance - 001, 003, 007, 011, 025, 029, 031, 033, 036, 037, 041, 047, 049, 053, 057, 059, 061, 065, 069, 073, 075, 081, 083, 085, 087, 093, 095, 097, 099, 101, 103, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 117, 119, 125, 127, 131, 133, 135, 137, 143, 145, 147, 149, 153, 157, 159, 175, 177, 179, 181, 183, 193, 199, 550, 700, 735, 800 and 810 REFERENCES FOR HYDROLOGIC UNIT CODES - 001, 003, 007, 011, 025, 029, 031, 033, 036, 037, 041, 047, 049, 053, 057, 059, 061, 065, 069, 073, 075, 081, 083, 085, 087, 093, 095, 097, 099, 101, 103, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 117, 119, 125, 127, 131, 133, 135, 137, 143, 145, 147, 149, 153, 157, 159, 175, 177, 179, 181, 183, 193, 199, 550, 700, 735, 800 and 810 REFERENCES FOR OTHER DISTRIBUTION - D Distribution - 1
     

HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS

U_S. FOREST SERVICE FOREST SIZE CLASS Unstocked Seedling Sapling Seedling/Sapling Pole Mature Over Mature REFERENCES FOR FSIZE - 6917 REFERENCES FOR SAF TYPE - 6917 LAND USE - Forest Land Deciduous Forest Land Evergreen Forest Land Mixed Forest Land Water Streams and Canals Lakes Reservoirs Bays and Estuaries Wetland Forested Wetland Nonforested Wetland REFERENCES FOR LAND USE - 132, 154, 152, 57, 215, 196 and 133 NATIONAL WETLAND INVENTORY CODES NWI NWICLS NWIMOD NWISPEC Lacustrine, limnetic FO2 Lacustrine, littoral FO1 Palustrine SB3 Marine Estuarine, subtidal Estuarine, intertidal Riverine, tidal Riverine, lower perennial Riverine, upper perennial Riverine, intermittent Lacustrine REFERENCES FOR NWI - 6037, 6917, 5517, 132, 45, 154, 152, 57, 46, 196 and 133 COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS - 'Semi-aquatic' *154*; 'almost entirely aquatic' *57*; though mostly aquatic may travel miles overland with same locomotion as terrestrial carnivores *57,46,133* ANIMAL/PLANT SPECIES ASSOCIATIONS - Trematodes: Alaria canis Baschkirovitrema incrassatum Nanophytes salmincola Habitat Associations - 1 Telorchis sp. Cestodes: Diphyllobothrium mansonoides Liguia intestinalis Proteocephalus perplexus Schistocephalus solidus Nematoda: Capillaria plica Crenosoma geglei Dirofilaria lutrae Draeunculus insignis D. lutrae D. sp. Eustrongyloides spp. Filaroides canadensis Gnathostoma miyazakii Physaloptera sp. Spinitectus gracilis Skrjabingylus lutrae Strongyloides lutrae Soboliphyme baturini Uncinaria stenocephala Acanthocephalans: Acanthocephalus spp. Letorhynchoides spp. Metachinorhynchus lateralis Neoechinorhynchus spp. Paracanthocephalus rauschi Pophorhynchuys sp. *57,110,97* REFERENCES FOR SPECIES ASSOCIATIONS - 57, 110 and 97 COMMENTS ON SPECIES ASSOCIATIONS - Parasites/disease no severe impacts on populations; Gnathostoma miyazakii and Stongyloides lutrae only 2 parasites with noted potential for pathological damage *57* POTENTIAL NATURAL VEGETATION - 101 Oak - Hickory - Pine Forest (Quercus-Carya-Pinus) 103 Southern Floodplain Forest (Quercus-Nyssa-Taxodium) REFERENCES FOR PNV - 154, 134, 152 and 215 ECOREGION - Appalachian Oak forest: Plains with High Hills Appalachian Oak Forest: Open Low Mountains Appalachian Oak Forest: Irregular Plains Southeastern Mixed Forest: Plains with High Hills Southeastern Mixed Forest: Plains with Low Mountains Southeastern Mixed Forest: Open Low Mountains Southeastern Mixed Forest: Flat Plains Southeastern Mixed Forest: Irregular Plains Southeastern Mixed Forest: Irregular Plains, slight rel Southeastern Mixed Forest: Open Hills Southeastern Mixed Forest: Plains with Hills REFERENCES FOR ECOREGION - 154, 134, 152 AND 215 Habitat Associations - 2
                                (DRAFT) - Food Habits
                                Species otter, river
                                 Species Id M050045
                                   Date 26 AUG 96



FOOD HABITS

TROPHIC LEVEL - Carnivore REFERENCES FOR TROPHIC LEVEL - 32, 234, 90, 154, 57, 196 and 133 LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART General Animals Egg/Fetus stage General Animals Juvenile stage General Animals Adult stage General Annelids Adult stage General Molluscs Adult stage General Snails Adult stage General Malacostraca Adult stage General Insects Adult stage General Coleoptera Adult stage General Osteichthyes Adult stage General Salmoniformes Adult stage General Cypriniformes Adult stage General Siluriformes Adult stage General Perciformes Adult stage General Amphibia Adult stage General Caudata Adult stage General Salientia Adult stage General Mammalia Juvenile stage General Mammalia Adult stage General Leporidae Juvenile stage General Cricetidae Adult stage General Aves Egg/Fetus stage General Aves Juvenile stage General Aves Adult stage General Anseriformes Adult stage General Anatidae Adult stage General Gruiformes Adult stage General Rallidae Adult stage General Carrion Fruit/Seeds General See Comments; Food See Comments Important Malacostraca Adult stage Important Osteichthyes Adult stage Important Cypriniformes Adult stage Important Siluriformes Adult stage Important Animals Adult stage Important See Comments; Food See Comments Juvenile See Comments; Food See Comments Juvenile Salientia Not Specified Juvenile Perciformes Not Specified Adult Animals Egg/Fetus stage Adult Animals Adult stage Adult Animals Juvenile stage Adult Annelids Adult stage Adult Molluscs Adult stage Adult Snails Adult stage Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits Species otter, river Species Id M050045 Date 26 AUG 96 LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART Adult Malacostraca Adult stage Adult Insects Adult stage Adult Coleoptera Adult stage Adult Osteichthyes Adult stage Adult Salmoniformes Adult stage Adult Cypriniformes Adult stage Adult Siluriformes Adult stage Adult Perciformes Adult stage Adult Amphibia Adult stage Adult Caudata Adult stage Adult Salientia Adult stage Adult Mammalia Juvenile stage Adult Mammalia Adult stage Adult Leporidae Juvenile stage Adult Cricetidae Adult stage Adult Aves Egg/Fetus stage Adult Aves Juvenile stage Adult Aves Adult stage Adult Anseriformes Adult stage Adult Anatidae Adult stage Adult Gruiformes Adult stage Adult Rallidae Adult stage Adult See Comments; Food See Comments Adult Salientia Not Specified Adult Perciformes Not Specified Adult Caudata Not Specified Adult Testudines Not Specified Adult Serpentes Not Specified Adult Insects Larva stage Adult Oligochaetes Not Specified Adult Osteichthyes Not Specified Adult Aves Not Specified Adult Hemiptera Not Specified Adult Coleoptera Not Specified Adult Diptera Not Specified Adult Odonata Adult stage Adult Odonata Larva stage Adult Mammalia Not Specified Adult Snails Not Specified Adult Carrion Not Applicable REFERENCES FOR GENERAL FOOD - 154, 57, 196 and 133 REFERENCES FOR IMPORTANT FOOD - 154, 57, 196 and 133 REFERENCES FOR ADULT FOOD - 5337, 6037, 5318, 5509, 5197, 154, 57, 196 and 133 REFERENCES FOR JUVENILE FOOD - 5337 and 57 COMMENTS ON FOOD - 9999S=not a significant predator of muskrat *154*; birds Food Habits - 2 (DRAFT) - Food Habits Species otter, river Species Id M050045 Date 26 AUG 96 occasionally, usually carrion; boon to fishermen: prey primarily on non-game fish -- especially slow moving fish, bottom dwelling/'rough' fish, secondarily on fish in abundance/large schools *154,57,133*; insects: mostly large aquatic *154,57*; high metabolic rate, efficient digestive system *57*; crayfish important in diet *154,57,133* COMMENTS ON ADULT FOOD - 9999S=not a significant predator of muskrat *154*; birds occasionally, usually carrion; boon to fishermen: prey primarily on non-game fish -- especially slow moving fish, bottom dwelling/'rough' fish, secondarily on fish in abundance/large schools *154,57,133*; insects: mostly large aquatic *154,57*; high metabolic rate, efficient digestive system *57*; crayfish important in diet *154,57,133* COMMENTS ON JUVENILE FOOD - 9999S=parents devoted, teach young to forage *57* Food Habits - 3
                         (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
                                Species otter, river
                                 Species Id M050045
                                   Date 26 AUG 96



ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS

G = General A = Adult LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae L = Larvae E = Egg RL = Resting Larvae FL = Feeding Larvae
LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS G Water Temperature: Specified in Comments G Water pH: Specified in Comments G Total Dissolved Solids: Specified in Comments G Bottom Type [Aquatic]: Mud or silt G Bottom Type [Aquatic]: Sand G Bottom Type [Aquatic]: Pebble G Bottom Type [Aquatic]: Gravel G Bottom Type [Aquatic]: Rooted aquatic vegetation G Flow: Less than 5 cfs mean annual flow G Flow: Small streams [5-50 cfs mean annual flow] G Flow: Medium streams [50-1000 cfs mean annual flow] G Flow: Large streams [1000-5000 cfs mean annual low] G Flow: Rivers [greater than 5000 cfs mean annual low] G Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: Specified in Comments G Water Level: Permanently flooded areas G Water Level: Semi-permanently flooded areas G Water Level: Seasonal/Alternatiely flooded areas G Water Level: Semi-permanently exposed G Elevation: Specified in Comments G Terrestrial Features: Burrows G Terrestrial Features: Specified in Comments G Aquatic Features: Pool areas G Aquatic Features: Stream weed beds G Aquatic Features: Lake weed beds G Inland Wetlands: Seasonally flooded lands with emergent vegetation G Inland Wetlands: Inland deep fresh marshes G Inland Wetlands: Inland open fresh water G Inland Wetlands: Shrub swamps G Inland Wetlands: Wooded swamps G Inland Wetlands: Inland saline marshes G Coastal Wetlands: Coastal shallow fresh marsh G Coastal Wetlands: Coastal deep fresh marshes G Coastal Wetlands: Coastal open fresh water G Coastal Wetlands: Coastal salt meadows G Coastal Wetlands: Regularly flooded salt marshes G Tree Cavities: Cavities in dead/dying trees G Tree Cavities: Specified in Comments G Aquatic/Terrestrial Ecotones: Woodland/water G Human Association: National parks/historic landmarks G Human Association: Wildlife refuges/sanctuaries Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations Species otter, river Species Id M050045 Date 26 AUG 96 LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS G Human Association: Specified in Comments LIM Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: Specified in Comments FJ Bottom Type [Aquatic]: Specified in Comments BA Snags: Specified in Comments FA Bottom Type [Aquatic]: Specified in Comments FA Gradient: Specified in Comments RA Gradient: Specified in Comments REFERENCES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 154, 152, 12, 57, 46, 196 and 133 REFERENCES FOR LIMITING ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 154 REFERENCES FOR FEEDING ADULT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 5517, 6037, 133 and 5055 REFERENCES FOR RESTING ADULT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 5517, 6037, 133 and 5055 REFERENCES FOR BREEDING ADULT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 5337, 6037, 5517, 133 and 6917 REFERENCES FOR FEEDING JUVENILE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 5517, 6037 and 133 REFERENCES FOR RESTING JUVENILE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 5517, 6037 and 133 COMMENTS ON ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS - 00020S=may travel on ice in winter or swim long distances under it *154,57*; 00040S=absent in waters altered by acidic mine drainage *57*; water quality in general: 'little work done on identifying range of water quality tolerated' *57*; 00060S=otter habitat destruction from increased siltation *57*; 00170S=need stretches of water with flow swift enough to remain open in winter *154*; 00300S=from marine environment to high mountain lakes; more abundant in food-rich coastal areas/lower parts of streams, rivers *57*; 00410S=drift piles, logjams *57*; 00540S=among tree roots *154*; 00900S=occasionally use duck blinds, abandoned boat houses *57* Environment Associations - 2
                               (DRAFT) - Life History
                                Species otter, river
                                 Species Id M050045
                                   Date 26 AUG 96



LIFE HISTORY

ORIGIN: native *90,154,152*; DESCRIPTION: large weasel-like, body long and slender, small eyes, ears and head, short legs, webbed toes, tapering tail (very thick at base); fur dense, soft, short, rich brown above, paler below (esp. lips, throat); much paler than L.c. canadensis; total length 900-1270 mm; wt 5-13.7 kg/10-25 lbs., males larger than females *154,152,57,46*; REPRODUCTION: sexual maturity both sexes 2 yrs., males may not breed successfully until 5-6 yrs; breeding season about 3 mos., late winter-early spring; estrus 42-46 days; delayed implantation, gestation period, 'confusion in literature' 288-375 days/about 12 mos.; females breed annually, shortly after parturition, litter size 1-6, usually 2-4; peak parturition Mar.-Apr., in natal dens (overhanging banks, tree knots, abandoned streambank burrows-does not dig own), approx. wt. 132 g., length 275 mm, blind but fully furred; male avoids area of birth but rejoins family while young learn to swim; forage when old enough to leave den *154,12,57,46,196,133*; BEHAVIOR: young grow rapidly, eyes open 21-35 days, introduced to water by 48 days, venture from den on own 59-70 days, solid food 63-76 days but weaning about 91 days; family group stays together for 6 mos.-1 year; active any hour (peak feeding dawn-midmorning, evening) and season; home range: depends on prey abundance--10-100 miles of stream, can cover up to 25 miles in a week, 10-100 sq. miles in a year; territories delineated by marks, signs; female and male may overlap, but not male--male or female-- female; barriers to dispersal=arid areas, mtn. ranges; mud and snow slides characteristic of species, also 'haul-outs' or 'rolling sites': travel alone or in groups of 2-5 *227,154,57,74,46,196,133*; POPULATION PARAMETERS: tentative trend (1982-1983) is stable *4298*; sex ratios 1:1 but most of harvest samples more males-range more widely; lived 14 1/2 yrs. in captivity *57,46*; AQUATIC/TERRESTRIAL ASSOCIATIONS: only serious predator is man, but reported to have been killed by: bobcat, dog, coyote, fox, alligator, cougar, wolf, black bear, crocodile, large raptors (probably take mostly young, adults on land) *154,57,133* REFERENCES FOR LIFE HISTORY- 227, 45, 90, 154, 152, 12, 57, 46, 196, 133 and 4298 Life History - 1
                           (DRAFT) - Management Practices
                                Species otter, river
                                 Species Id M050045
                                   Date 26 AUG 96



MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE Beneficial Regulating harvest of species being described Beneficial Maintaining wilderness environment Beneficial Developing/maintaining stream bank vegetation Beneficial Maintaining/protecting riparian habitats Beneficial Stocking captive-reared wild-strain animals Beneficial Restricting/regulating human use of habitats Beneficial Maintaining undisturbed/undeveloped areas Beneficial Maintaining unique or special habitat features [wetlands, caves, Beneficial Developing/maintaining water holes, ponds, potholes, etc. Beneficial Maintaining dead/downed woody materials Beneficial Developing/maintaining submerged brush, timber, debris, etc. Beneficial Maintaining large trees for denning, nesting, or roosting Beneficial Developing/maintaining suitable pH Beneficial Developing/maintaining brackish marsh Beneficial Developing/maintaining saline marsh Beneficial Developing/maintaining freshwater marsh Beneficial Developing/maintaining/protecting wetlands Beneficial Controlling sedimentation Beneficial Controlling pollution [thermal, chemical, physical] Beneficial Segregating and treating toxic materials Beneficial Excluding livestock from banks and water Beneficial Other management practices [specified in comments] Adverse Applying herbicides Adverse Applying pesticides Adverse Applying insecticides Adverse Applying fertilizers Adverse Other management practices [specified in comments] Adverse Draining wetlands, marshes, ponds, lakes Adverse Construction of navigational improvements [dams, locks, etc.] Adverse Constructing/maintaining bulkheads, seawalls, and dikes Adverse Dredging Adverse Underwater explosions Adverse Underwater mining Adverse Surface mining Adverse Clean farming Adverse Stream bank protection - gabion matting or riprap Existing Regulating harvest of species being described REFERENCES FOR BENEFICIAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES - 132, 45, 90, 154, 152, 57, 46, 196 and 133 REFERENCES FOR ADVERSE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES - 6917, 6037, 5517, 132, 45, 90, 154, 57, 46, 196 and 133 REFERENCES FOR EXISTING MANAGEMENT PRACTICES - 154 and 57 COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES - Absent in waters altered by acidic mine drainage *57*; Otter habitat destruction from increased siltation *57*. Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices Species otter, river Species Id M050045 Date 26 AUG 96 Scarce where waters polluted, residues of pesticides, including Hg, DDT, and metabolites, mirex reported from tissues, highly susceptible to overharvest as travel extensively in restricted avenues of waterways *57* 999(B)=much research needed *154,57*; first priority-review status east of Blue Ridge; trapping season should be earlier-when extends to Feb. 28, overlaps birth, mating seasons-wipe out 3 generations when capture mated female with litter in den; educate fishermen, pond owners about food habits, value of otter; remove and relocate from fish hatcheries, areas where unwanted, polluted waters *154*; 999(A)=industrial pollution, intensive recreational development, urban or agrarian development, creation of surburban residential areas *132,45,90,57* Management Practices - 2
                                   (DRAFT) - References
                                   Species otter, river
                                    Species Id M050045
                                      Date 26 AUG 96



     

References

12* Anderson, S., Jones,, Jr. J.K. (ed.)1967. Recent Mammals of the World, a Symposia of Families. Ronald Press Co. New York, New York:453. 32* Knudsen, G.J., Hale, J.B. 1968. Food habits of otters in the Great Lakes region. J. Wildl. Manage. 32:89-93. 45* Burt, W.H. 1969. Mammals of the Great Lakes Region. Univ. of Michigan Press Ann Arbor, Mich:246. 46* Burt, W.H. 1964. A field guide to the mammals. The Riverside Press Cambridge, Mass:284. 57* Chapman, J.A., Feldhamer, G.A. (ed.)1982. Wild Mammals of North America. Biology, Management, and Economics. Johns Hopkins Univ. Press Baltimore, Md:1147. 74* Coues, E. 1877. Furbearing animals: A monograph of North American Mustelidae. Misc. Publ. 8, Reprint 1970. U.S. Dep. Inter. Washington, D.C:348. 90* Doutt, J.K., Heppenstall, C.A., Guilday, J.E. 1977. Mammals of Pennsylvania. Penn. Game Comm. Harrisburg, Penn:282. 97* Erickson, A.B. 1946. Incidence of worm parasites in Minnesota Mustelidae and host lists and keys to North American species. Am. Midl. Natl. 36(2):494-509. 110* Fleming, W.J., Dixon, C.F., Lovett, J.W. 1977. Helminth parasites of river otters (Lutra canadensis) from southeastern Alabama. Proc. Helminothol. Soc. of Washington 44(2). Helminothol. Soc. Washington, D.C:131-135. 132* Grimm, W.C., Whitebread, R. 1952. Mammal survey of northeastern Pennsylvania. Pittman-Robertson Project 42-R. Penn. Game Comm. Harrisburg, Penn:82. 133* Haley, D. 1975. Sleek and Savage, North America's Weasel Family. Pacific Search Books Seattle, Washington:128. 134* Hall, E.R. 1981. The Mammals of North America. 1,2. John Wiley and Sons New York, New York:1271. 152* Handley, C.O., Jr., Patton, C.P. 1947. Wild Mammals of Virginia. Virginia Commission of Game and Inland Fisheries Richmond:220. 154* Handley, C.O., Jr., Gordon, L.K. 1979. River otter. Proc. Symp. on Endangered and Threatened Plants and Animals of Virginia Linzey, D.W. Ext. Div., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Univ. Blacksburg, Va:522-526665. References - 1 (DRAFT) - References Species otter, river Species Id M050045 Date 26 AUG 96 196* Leopold, A.S., Gutierres, R.J., Bronson, M.T. 1981. North American Game Birds and Mammals. Charles Scribners Sons New York, New York:198. 215* Meanley, B. 1971. Great Dismal Swamp mammals. Atlantic Natl. 26(1):17-18. 227* Palmer, R.S. 1954. The Mammal Guide. Doubleday and Co., Inc. Garden City, New York:384. 234* Poole, E.L. 1954. The otter-Pennsylvania's rarest furbearer. Penn. Game News 25(3):4-9. 4298* Gwynn, J.V. 1984. Furbearer harvest investigations. Virginia Wildl. Investig. Ann. Report, June 1, 1983 - July 30, 1984. Virginia Comm. Game and Inland Fish VA:330-354. 4344* Conservation, Missouri Dept. 1984. Checklist of rare and endangered species of Missouri. MO Dept. Conserv. Jefferson City, MO:17. 5055* Choromanski, J.F., Fritzell, E.K. 1982. Status of the river otter in Missouri. Trans. MO Acad. Sci. 16:43-48. 5197* Greer, K.R. 1955. Yearly food habits of the river otter in the Thompson Lakes region, northwestern Montana, as indicated by scat analysis. Amer. Midl. Nat. 54(2):299-313. 5293* (ed.)1981. Wildlife Code of Missouri.:112. 5318* Lagler, K.F., Ostensen, B.T. 1942. Early spring food of the otter in Michigan. J. Wildl. Manage. 6:244-254. 5337* Liers, E.E. 1951. Notes on the river otter. J. Mammal. 32(1):1-9. 5509* Wilson, K.A. 1959. The otter in North Carolina. SE Assoc. Game and Fish Commis. Proc. 13:267-277. 5517* Yeager, L.E. 1938. Otters of the delta hardwood region of Mississippi. J. Mammal. 19:195-201. 5668* Hall, E.R. 1981. The Mammals of North America, 2nd Ed.. John WI Sons, Inc. NY:1181. 6037* Schwartz, C.W., Schwartz, E.R. 1981. The Wild Mammals of Mississippi (2nd Ed.). Univ. MO Press & MO Conserv. Dept. Columbia, MO:356. 6917* Erickson, D.W.. UNPB., MO Dept. Conservation.. References - 2