Scientists discovered that river otter droppings contain large numbers of parasites that infect the animals’ prey, indicating that otters may play a significant role in shaping local food webs.

North American river otters eat, play and defecate in the same place. And their unhealthy habits make them ideal for detecting future health threats in the environment. Kristen Goodhue A North ...

North American river otters have lived for a long time in Chesapeake Bay, yet relatively little is known about how their surroundings impact them. So what does daily life for river otters on the ...

North American river otters, known as cute and playful swimmers, once lived in every major river system in Pennsylvania. But because of development, agriculture and industrialization, otters had ...

I’m sure you could guess the most prevalent difference between river otters and sea otters. Yes, one species lives in freshwater, while the other lives in marine environments. But did you know that ...

Three North American river otters play in the snow on the docks of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. Detected with SERC’s night-vision wildlife cameras. North American river otters have ...

FOREST KNOLLS, Calif. -- River otters used to be in almost every creek in the Bay Area, but they were driven out decades ago by water pollution, hunting, and the loss of wetland habitat. Now, thanks ...

PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) — The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission plans to ban trapping of beavers throughout the Black Hills area where their populations have declined, while also allowing more ...