River otter
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Conservation Status: Least Concern (Population Increasing in Maine)
Photo Credit: Yellowstone NPS/Creative Commons
Facts: When you hear that Maine has otters, you might think of the iconic creatures that float on their backs in large rafts in the ocean. However, in Maine we have a different species of otter known as the river otter. The river otter has adapted for semi aquatic livingβmeaning it lives on land and spends a lot of its time in the water. They are playful creatures and can be seen sliding in snow and mud, playing in the water, burrowing in the snow and even chasing their tails.
How do these creatures live in such cold Maine weather? They have two layers of thick, protective fur that helps keep them warm in the water. The under fur is made of dense short hairs, which trap warm air against their body. The second layer is made up of coarse, oily guard hairs that repel the cold water off of their body and keep the underfur dry.
On the refuge: You can find these creatures hunting for prey, which include fish, crayfish, crabs and frogs. They eat frequently and can be found hunting many of the species we have mentioned or will be mentioning in our Exploring Natureβs Connections posts! If you are lucky, you might even see them running back to their dens, which are found either in abandoned burrows or empty hollows.
Sources: https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Mammals/north-american-river-otter, https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/north-american-river-otter