Ecologists have long observed that when food becomes scarce, animal populations exploit a wider range of food sources. So scientists studying southern sea otters at different sites in California’s ...

Sea otters are often portrayed as lovable and relaxed animals that spend their time goofing around. Or, simply floating on their backs in the water with their special rock. While this image is ...

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. North American river otters can grow to four feet long from tip to tail. The phrase “this place is a pigsty” might need to be ...

North American river otters have lived for a long time in Chesapeake Bay, yet relatively little is known about how their surroundings impact them. So what does daily life for river otters on the ...

1. Otter ecology and its background -- 2. Pen pictures. Thirteen otters of the world : some natural history -- Europe -- Common or Eurasian otter, Lutra lutra -- North America -- River otter, or North ...

In a new study published in Frontiers in Mammal Science, Smithsonian scientists analyzed the otters' diets and "latrine" habitats in the Chesapeake Bay for the first time. They discovered river otters ...

What animal is cute, fuzzy and found on almost every continent (except Australia and Antartica)? Otters, of course. Part of the weasel family, these mammals are divided into 13 existing species. Some ...

Scientists know little about the elusive river otters living along the East Coast, but a new study inspired by one bizarre, smelly poop offers some much-needed insight. Reading time 3 minutes ...

Three North American river otters play in the snow on the docks of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. Detected with SERC’s night-vision wildlife cameras. North American river otters have ...