Thursday, July 26, 2018

Otters in New Jersey



The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis), also known as the northern river otter or the common otter, is a semiaquatic mammal endemic to the North American continent found in and along its waterways and coasts.

As sometimes happens, a reader of this blog will ask me to identify a bird or animal they spotted or send a photo of what they consider a rare siting. A number of readers have reported seeing fishers in NJ, for example. Recently I had no inquiries asking first if NJ has otters living here and another sending photos of some otters at play.

Yes, we do have otters. They are not endangered or even that rare, but they are elusive and won't be wandering into your suburban backyard like deer and wild turkeys.
The river otter (Lontra canadensis) was once found in virtually all streams, rivers and larger lakes of New Jersey, including tidewaters. Although they were and still are trapped in New Jersey for their fur, habitat loss is the main reason they are less common than they used to be.

Development and environmental degradation of waterways have led to population declines not just in New Jersey, but all over the country.

River otters have made a comeback since the mid 1900’s thanks to conservation and reintroduction efforts and tougher water pollution regulations.

An adult North American river otter can weigh between 5.0 and 14 kg (11.0 and 30.9 lb). The river otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur.






Otters are the most aquatic member of the mustelid family, a group of mammals that includes weasels, mink and skunks.

They’re highly social animals, and form family groups centered around a female and her young. However, both parents will take care of the young.

A river otter’s diet consists mostly of fish, though they will eat reptiles, amphibians, crustaceans, mollusks, insects and even small birds and mammals. They utilize their long stiff whiskers to help find prey and with the use of special flaps they close off their nostrils and ears and are able to remain submerged underwater for up to eight minutes on one breath.

From spring to fall, they tend to be nocturnal. In winter, they tend to be more active during the day in preparation for breeding season.

They are one of the mammals that live in the Pine Barrens.  In both fresh and brackish waters, they most often are reported in the lower stretches of rivers flowing into the Atlantic coast estuaries, but might also be seen in cranberry bogs and reservoirs in the heart of the Pine Barrens.

Given their secretive habits, one is far more likely to see otter-signs, such as the slides they wear into stream banks, than to catch sight of an otter itself.

Have you seen, photographed or caught some video of an otter in New Jersey?



44 comments:

Eljae said...

Saw a family of river otters in the Shark River inlet this past August 2018 in the early morning. We were kayaking near the Shark River Hill boat docks when four otters popped their heads up about ten feet from our boats and followed us for a minute. They seemed as curious about us as we were about them.It was an awesome experience and the first time we ever saw otters in those waters and we're in our fifties and grew up the hills, playing in and fishing those waters our whole lives. Is their presence possibly a sign of cleaner water? I hope. I know otters can be a nuisance but the experience of being face to face with them was beautiful. They were very cute! Wondering if there have been more sightings...

Unknown said...

I was walking my dog today and saw 2 bald eagles dive bombing something in pine lake today this the first time I personally have seen bald eagles around the lake. I grabbed my phone and took a picture but it was some distance away. When I looked at the picture it almost looked like a log? I ran home grabbed my binoculars and scanned the area sure enough it was an otter. Watched it for about 10 minutes and it actually investigated me at one point even giving me a few grunts its was pretty wild. Had no idea there were otters in the area

Unknown said...

My grandparents have recently seen an otter in the Shepard's Pond down here in South Jersey.

Anonymous said...

Just saw an otter in a pond in Monroe NJ. I have never seen one in the wild before. It was pretty cool. I have had muskrats in the pond in back of my house in East Windsor many times. (They build their "houses" out of the pussy willows that grow on the ponds edge) but never an otter.

Unknown said...

I'm in Egg Harbor Township, NJ and unfortunately saw a dead otter yesterday near the corner of Ridge and W. Jersey Avenue.

There's a small stream only about 10 yards from where he was (apparently) struck by a car.
It's a shame the only time I've seen one is when they've been killed by a driver.

It makes sense if they are nocturnal during this time of year.
That would explain the otter crossing the road at night.
:(

GeorgeL said...

I've owned a small house on a brackish tidal creek in Cedar Run NJ for 18 years and for the first time this past summer saw a family of about 5 otters in the creek about 10 pm. They slid down the opposite bank and then two of them swam almost to my dock and then returned, arching half out of the water dolphin-like. Never having seen otters before they looked like small seals to me, but I know there aren't seals that far inland; we're about 1 mile upstream from Barnegat Bay. Amazing little animals!

Unknown said...

just saw a river otter in the rockaway river off Jackson ave in rockaway boro

Anonymous said...

I've seen them around Berlin Park, first time probably about 15 years ago.

CosmicBull said...

Saw an otter in my backyard very early this morning, just after midnight. It came in through a hole under the fence created by groundhogs many years ago. He looked around and appeared to realize he was in the wrong place and back through the hole he went. We live 50 yards from a tidal creek in Navesink and had no idea there were otters about.

Anonymous said...

I saw two river otters while on a walk today in East Vineland. They were on the stream bank and slid into the water as I walked by.

Jd said...

Saw an otter on my early morning bike ride in Northern Hunterdon county this morning. He crossed the road 20 yards in front of me heading towards a small stream. Also saw a pair Of otters a few years ago when I lived in West Milford they were by a small pond in my back yard.

Jd said...

I saw an Otter on my early morning bike ride today in Northern Hunterdon County. It crossed the road 20yrds in front of me heading towards a small stream.I also saw a pair of them 12 yrs ago in West Milford by a small pond in my back yard

Robiannelli said...

Just watched an Otter swim yesterday. I was in Mullica Hill fishing around 6am, and I heard a splash right next to me. He slid right on in the water ands started swimming around. Well while he sawm he/she never stopped looking at me and makind snorting noises and super cute squeaks. This when on for about and hour. I jumped in my little plastic bass boat and paddled out as well. Keeping a healthy distance, I just watched my new buddy squeak around the water. It was pretty awesome.

CosmicBull said...

That sounds so cool. You're so lucky.

Unknown said...

My daughter just saw an otter on our property sitting in the shallow end of a stream in Jefferson Township

Unknown said...

Just saw a family of 3 otters at Arbor Lake in Vineland! Right off of Delsea Drive. So cool to see!

Anonymous said...

Was duck hunting off Dennis Creek last Saturday and had an otter be very inquisitive about our decoy spread. He/she hung around for nearly a half hour often swimming in our decoys but more often just watching our boat blind. When we were calling ducks he/she stood upright on the bank and literally gave a us a guttural hiss/grunt. Very cool observation which actually was the highlight of our morning.

Anonymous said...

Otter spotted in Echo Lake Park, Mountainside yeserday.

Anonymous said...

River otter spotted yesterday along the Neshanic Creek, Flemington. Gorgeous deep brown against the snow. What a surprise! This is not exactly out in the sticks.

Unknown said...

Just spotted an otter today, in the pond behind my house. Very cool. Another creature added to the long list inhabited by the pond.

Dumb dumbs said...

I have lived in New Jersey my whole life, fish up to 80 hours a week, I have seen giant octopus, great white sharks, tiger sharks on the beach, orcas chasing seals, sea monsters and UFOs, I've never seen a sea otter

Ken Ronkowitz said...

Well, this article is about river otters.
I've never seen a porcupine in the wilds of NJ - but they are out there.

I saw dead otter on 295 said...

Today coming back from Delaware across the DE/NJ 295 Bridge and going north at mile marker 8.4 I saw a dead animal that had a long tail on the berm of 295. I went back and pulled over and there was a large dead otter...brown fur..long tail..round tail that was fat near the body and tapered off about 14 inches long. The Otter was run over and a couple of hundred yards away from Old Man Creek 295 Crossing. I would say the otter was 20 to 25 lbs and it was not skinny at all. Not fat..but just round..maybe 10 inches in diameter. I took a video of the body... he looked like he was hit yesterday or the day before. I drove up Monday and did not see the body. What caught my attention was the long tail.. not a woodchuck..not a beaver. It had webbed back paws..and smaller front feet. It was absolutely Beautiful..Magnificient animal. So sad it got run over. It's right the 8.4 mile marker..north bound..right side berm..you can't miss it.. it's good size. About 200 yards north of the carcass the Old Man's Creek 295 crossing where there is construction work there. Friggin NJ... I see dead red Foxes.. all types of road kill means rich in nature.

Mike said...

Yeah I saw like four or five otters one time, in Holland township nj, in a small stream while I was fishing.

Anonymous said...

Saw a mother with three pups playing on my dock in the Shark River Belmar NJ this evening. First time. Very cool to see.

Unknown said...

I saw 3 otters today by Main St Bridge, Shark River.

Anonymous said...

Saw an otter early in the morning last weekend near the 5th ave fishing pier and playground in seaside park on the Barnegat Bay side. It appeared wounded on its side - maybe a boat prop? It was trying to clean itself off and rest/sleep.

Anonymous said...

Saw three otters this morning in Mill Creek, Beach Haven West, NJ

Anonymous said...

One hit overnight by a car west of the turnpike on East Wolfert Station Road in Mickleton June 18/19 2022.

I saw dead otter on 295 said...

So sad when they get run over. Ohhh what a bummer. Hopefully a few of them in Mickleton. I drive down 295 going into Wilmington DE and a couple years ago I saw a fox in the median a little North of Wilmington... and I would occassionally see a dead red fox in the location. I have not seen any this year and I hope the tribe was not wiped out. Animals and cars... UG.!

Anonymous said...

Saw a river otter swim by me while kayaking in the Delaware near Bulls Island (Frenchtown NJ)

Anonymous said...

We saw 6 on the dock last night Shark River Hills...so sweet!!

Anonymous said...

Fly fishing in the Ramapo river near Tuxedo NY last year large Otter almost blond colored beautiful

Anonymous said...

A pair was playing on the ice on a lagoon in Toms River this morning g at 6:30 AM. They quickly went under the boat dock when I opened the slider to take a closer look.

Anonymous said...

Saw 2 otter in our lagoon Toms River 3:10am . When my dog was breaking at them. This is the second time saw the pair. It’s so nice to see them .

Anonymous said...

Spotted an otter crossing a small bridge on 47 south, had to Google if otters live in jersey and now im here.

Anonymous said...

Saw a otter in little egg Harbour in the lagoon behind my house had to be a state record size at least 40 LBs !!

Anonymous said...

I saw an adult otter catch a sunfish in Lafayette NJ last week. Very cool. Now I have a new excuse for not catching fish!

Anonymous said...

I just saw an otter on the south side of the arboretum at Holmdel park not far from the pond. Very dark brown - the tail differentiated it from a groundhog.

Anonymous said...

Can you send me a pinpoint location to where exactly that is?
I would love to see that.

Anonymous said...

On May 11 2023 While trout fishing on the Manasquan river on Hospital Road I was confronted by a very protective mother otter and her two pups. She hissed and barked at me then grabbed her pups by the nape of their necks and took them down stream. I was a park ranger for ten years and an avid outdoorsman all of my life but this experience is one I will never forget.

Anonymous said...

I just saw one today when leaving the scuptural gardens dead on the side of the road....so sad.

Anonymous said...

I saw two river otters playing with each other yesterday morning in the Delaware Raritan canal just north of Titusville. I stopped to observe them and they stopped to look at me, before scampering up the far bank. I have seen mink along the canal before but never river otters.

Deedra said...

I just saw an otter in the Maurice River at Port Norris yesterday and then again this evening.
A beautiful animal.