Mother River Otter builds her den (holt) along the shore of a wooded stream. In her holt, She gives birth and watches her Pups for about six months, alone. Then Father Otter rejoins Her and helps with their Pups.
Mother and Father River Otter teach ingenuity to their Children. Mother River Otter punches holes into Beaver's dams and when the water recedes, wades in and feasts on the trapped Fish and Frogs. Father River Otter teaches the Pups how to launch a submarine attack on a sleeping Duck. The entire River Otter Family spends a lot of time playing, sliding down muddy hills or diving for pebbles. Play helps their Pups to learn to hunt and live an independent life.
River Otter teaches the value of play. Through play, She learns how to swim and hunt. River Otter chases her Friends in the water and dives for rocks with Them. River Otter repeatedly slides down a muddy riverbank to learn how to travel in snow.
Play serves to teach as well as to have fun. Let River Otter teach you how to play well.
River Otter’s Teachings Include:
“Baby otters aren’t born knowing how to swim; their parents teach them. So we can learn to swim playfully and joyously in the flow of life.” Copyright: Beyond the Rainbow (Constance Barrett Sohodski).
“Otter is always on the move and is very curious. Unlike other animals, Otter will not start a fight unless attacked. This joyful little creature is adventuresome and assumes other creatures are friendly, until proven otherwise.” Copyright: “Medicine Cards”, David Carson and Jamie Sams.
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Conservation Note: River Otter is protected in the United States.
The difference between River Otter and European Otter is that River Otter is sociable, while European Otter is solitary. River Otter is also called Northern River Otter, Canadian Otter, Land Otter, and Fish Otter.
Photo of River Otter courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Va. Carper
January 25, 2007