---
title: "North American River Otter"
description: "Lontra canadensis — Mamíferos. The North American river otter, 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."
canonical: https://animalchecklist.com/pt/animal/north-american-river-otter
last_updated: 2026-09-20
---

# North American River Otter

> Lontra canadensis — Mamíferos. The North American river otter, 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.

- Scientific name: *Lontra canadensis*
- Category: `mammals` (Mamíferos)
- Habitats: `freshwater` (Lagos e rios)
- iNaturalist observations: 39056
- Wikidata: [Q327028](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q327028)
- iNaturalist taxon: [41777](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/41777)

## Names

- en: North American River Otter
- de: Nordamerikanischer Fischotter
- es: Nutria de río norteamericana
- fr: Loutre du Canada
- nl: Rivierotter
- pl: Wydrak kanadyjski

## Countries with the most observations

US (23608), CA (8453)

## Summary

The North American river otter, 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.

Text: Wikipedia (en), CC BY-SA 4.0 — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_river_otter

## Photo

![North American River Otter](https://animalchecklist.com/img/animals/north-american-river-otter/medium.jpg)

Photo: Adam Jackson · CC0 · inaturalist — https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/41777

## Machine access

`GET https://animalchecklist.com/api/v1/animals/north-american-river-otter?lang=pt` — see [openapi.json](https://animalchecklist.com/openapi.json).