Pamiuqtuuq • River Otter

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

The North American river otter, a member of the subfamily Lutrinae in the weasel family (Mustelidae), is equally versatile in the water and on land. It establishes a burrow close to the water's edge in river, lake, swamp, coastal shoreline, tidal flat, or estuary ecosystems. The den typically has many tunnel openings, one of which generally allows the otter to enter and exit the body of water. Female North American river otters give birth in these burrows, producing litters of one to six young.

North American river otters, like most predators, prey upon the most readily accessible species. Fish is a favored food among the otters, but they also consume various amphibians (such as salamanders and frogs), freshwater clams, mussels, snails, small turtles and crayfish. The most common fish consumed are perch, suckers, and catfish. Instances of North American river otters eating small mammals, such as mice and squirrels, and occasionally birds have been reported as well. 

Description Source: Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_river_otter)

 

Innu-aimun Common Additional Terms

Napeiatshikᵘ; Napeutshikᵘ Male otter
Ishkueiatshikᵘ; Nusheiatshikᵘ Female otter

Nitshikuss Young otter (less than 1 year old)

Nusheiatshikᵘ Female otter (during reproductive years)

Uishakuatshikᵘ Male otter in rut
Nipinatshikᵘ Otter in summer coat
Patatshikᵘ; Patatshikuss Two-year old otter

Takuakatshikᵘ; Takutshinatshikᵘ Otter in fall, autumn coat

Minushkamatshikᵘ Otter in early summer (May-June)

Pipunatshikᵘ Otter inwinter coat

Nutshishkutimueiatshikᵘ Small otterwith very fine hairs

Source:  Les Éditions Tshakapesh, 2018. Uashat, Quebec

Main Photo Credit: River Otter by Jon Nelson, 2019. https://wordpress.org/openverse/image/61389f4c-5cf6-4f3c-9277-e9247823bf82. Licenced with CC BY-NC-SA 2.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0.
Second Photo Credit: North American River Otters by Dmitry Azovtsev (http://www.daphoto.info), 2005. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_river_otter#/media/File:LutraCanadensis_fullres.jpg. Licenced with CC BY-SA 3.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0.