The Living Landscape: The rascally river otter
- Kathleen Scavone
- Posted On
"We live on the leash of our senses." – Diane Ackerman
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Gliding down the silky waters of Cache Creek, its banks are alive with a rich, new-tide scent.
The creek banks sport spring's shrubby growth below, and evidence of a boisterous heron rookery above.
The landscape here is untamed enough to support crawdads, fish of all description, frogs, raccoons, mink and more.
It's a given that no two hikes, bike rides or kayak trips are alike here in our wild county. There is always something new to observe, whether it's a new bloom, a bird or a larger critter, like a river otter.
River otters can be spotted frolicking on the shores of Clear Lake, or on the banks of our county's many creeks, such as Cache Creek.
According to wildlife biologists, river otters are making a comeback in the Bay Area due to conservation and restoration projects, but here on Clear Lake and its environs, where fish are plentiful, otters are, too.
Prior to the 1960s otters were hunted in California for their fur, but thankfully, that sport has ceased to exist.
River otters eat more than other mammals of comparable size – around 12 percent of their 20-pound body weight. They consume crawdads, frogs, birds and shellfish, but they prefer fish.
Crafty and streamlined creatures, otters are adept at fishing and can chase or even ambush their prey. Once otters track a fish, they may remain submerged for around four minutes.
River otters seem to dine on small fish near the surface of the water, and eat larger catches on the shore.
River otters employ scent-marking as a means of communication. They are adept at marking their territory with urine, scat or musk scent, with the musk being secreted when agitated.
Another form of communication is the otter's hiss or growl, which they can emit if disturbed or distressed.
Springtime is when they find a den to give birth to their kits.
The den, or holt, as the home is called, is actually an unused home of another animal. The protective den will be enhanced with moss, hair or leaves for the nest-chamber.
The female otter can produce up to five, but most often between one and three young.
When the pups or kits are born they only weigh about 5 ounces and already sport fur, but are born blind.
After a month, the kits can see and they gain their sense of play not much later, at 5 or 6 weeks, when they tumble around with their siblings.
When they are nearly 2 months old, mama otter takes them to the water where they are natural swimmers.
One more reason to love Lake County – playful and cute otters!
Be sure to watch for them sliding down the wet banks of waterways with their agile and flexible brown-furred bodies, or as they dine on a fresh catch on someone's pier.
Kathleen Scavone is a writer and retired teacher. She lives in Middletown, Calif.