otter

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References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

Images, Videos & Interactives

Witness the playful gliding and fishing of river otters in a freshly thawed North American river

river otter and sea otter

Spotting wild otters in the Shetland Islands

River otter (Lutra canadensis).

For Students

River otter (Lutra canadensis).

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The Colosseum, Rome, Italy. Giant amphitheatre built in Rome under the Flavian emperors. (ancient architecture; architectural ruins)

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otter: Facts & Related Content

Written and fact-checked by The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

News •

Peterborough anglers wait for results on fish project at lake • Feb. 17, 2025, 9:58 PM ET (BBC)

Facts

Also Known As	Lutrinae

Photos and Videos

River otter (Lutra canadensis).

Witness the playful gliding and fishing of river otters in a freshly thawed North American river

Spotting wild otters in the Shetland Islands

See All Videos, Images and Interactives →

Topics

Lontra river otter clawless otter What’s the difference between river otters and sea otters?Congo clawless otter North American river otter African clawless otter Central American otter hairy-nosed otter speckle-throated otter badger weasel polecat

Quiz

Sea otter (Enhydra lutris), also called great sea otter, rare, completely marine otter of the northern Pacific, usually found in kelp beds. Floats on back. Looks like sea otter laughing. saltwater otters

Animal Group Names

Lion (panthera leo)

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vulture. An adult bearded vulture at a raptor recovery center. The Gypaetus barbatus also known as the Lammergeier or Lammergeyer, is a bird of prey and considered an Old World vulture.

Animal Factoids

Mute swan with cygnet. (birds)

Match the Baby Animal to Its Mama Quiz

Young chimpanzee dressed in a shirt and sweater vest, scratching his head thinking. (primates)

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Dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius). Animals, mammals.

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List

Portrait of western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla), Bayanga, Central African Republic

Gorilla gorilla, Sula sula, and Other Animals Whose Names Are Tautonyms—the Same for Genus and Species

animal. Amphibian. Frog. Anura. Ranidae. Frog in grass.

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cat. orange and white persian cat with long hair, snarl, growl, teeth

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