Stats

Lifespan

8-13 yrs

Size

Medium

Diet

Carnivore

Activity

Crepuscular

Social

Family Group

Biome

Freshwater wetland

Range

North America

Movement

Swimming

Breeding

Live Birth

Defense

Speed

Status

Common

About

A sleek semiaquatic mustelid built for rivers and coasts, with dense double-layer fur that traps air for waterproof insulation. Its closeable nostrils and ears let it stay submerged for several minutes while hunting fish and crayfish.

Life cycle

1. 1.
   newborn

   A live-born newborn nurses on its mother's milk and depends on her for warmth and protection.
2. 2.
   juvenile

   A weaned juvenile begins eating solid food and learning from its parents or group.
3. 3.
   adult

   Fully grown at adult size.

Learn more

• View on iNaturalist →
• Watch on YouTube →

Taxonomy

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Mammalia

Order

Carnivora

Family

Mustelidae

Genus

Lontra

Species

Lontra canadensis