In the wild: 8 to 13 years

In human care: 20 to 25 years

In the wild: Fish, crayfish, amphibians, reptiles, and occasionally small birds and mammals.
At the Zoo: Bootie has special dietary needs, due to her sensitive stomach. She is given canned food, boneless fish filets, scallops, and shelled shrimp.

River otters inhabit both freshwater and marine environments, including rivers, lakes, streams, marshes, and ponds.

 Alaska to Florida, and across most of Canada

Duplo blocks, firehose toys/scratchers, scents, and puzzle feeders.

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Mammalia
• Order: Carnivora
• Family: Mustelidae
• Genus: Lontra
• Species: Lontra canadensis

You can spot Bootie swimming and playing in her habitat near the Train Whistle Café Plaza, directly across from our African Penguin habitat. Whether she’s diving, sliding, splashing, or snoozing—you’re in for a show!

Energetic, agile, and endlessly entertaining—Bootie is our resident North American River Otter, and she’s always ready to make a splash! With her sleek body, waterproof fur, and curious nature, Bootie is a fan favorite in the Train Whistle Café Plaza, located just across from our African Penguin habitat. Whether she’s zooming through the water or sliding belly-first across her enclosure, you’ll quickly see why river otters are some of the most captivating animals in North America.

Life in the Water

North American River Otters are semi-aquatic mammals, meaning they spend time both in and out of water—but they’re definitely built for the swim life:

• Webbed feet for powerful propulsion.
• A long, muscular tail that acts like a rudder.
• Dense, waterproof fur to keep their skin dry and insulated.
• Nostrils and ears that close when diving.
• Slightly nearsighted vision, perfect for seeing underwater.
• Sensitive whiskers (vibrissae) that help detect prey in dark or murky water.

Masters of Play and Survival

While Bootie might seem like she’s just having fun, otters’ playful behavior—like sliding, tumbling, and mock fighting—builds critical skills for hunting, social bonding, and muscle coordination. Otters can:

• Swim up to 7 mph.
• Hold their breath for up to 4 minutes.
• Thrive in cold climates thanks to thick fur and fast metabolisms.

They're incredibly intelligent and curious, and like many mustelids (the weasel family), they never seem to sit still for long!

What’s on the Menu?

Otters are opportunistic carnivores, meaning they’ll eat whatever they can catch in their aquatic environment. In the wild, that includes:

• Fish
• Mollusks, like clams and snails
• Crustaceans, like crayfish and crabs
• Amphibians
• Reptiles
• Occasionally small birds and mammals

Bootie is a special case. She has special dietary needs, due to her sensitive stomach. This diet includes:

• Canned food
• Boneless tilapia, shrimp, and scallops

A Sign of a Healthy Ecosystem

River otters are considered an indicator species—which means their presence signals that the surrounding environment is clean and healthy. Because they rely on clean waterways to survive, polluted or degraded habitats quickly drive them away.

Unfortunately, river otters were once in serious decline across the U.S. due to pollution, habitat destruction, and unregulated trapping. But thanks to conservation efforts, cleaner waterways, and reintroduction programs, otters are rebounding in many areas and are now listed as Least Concern.

Still, habitat protection and pollution control remain critical for keeping wild otter populations stable.

Not only are North American River Otters an indicator, but they are also a keystone species. A keystone species is an animal that many other plants and animals within their habitat rely on to keep the ecosystem balanced. They do this through population control of prey species. If prey species become too numerous, they can take over an ecosystem, causing overcrowding, resource depletion, and unchecked sickness.

Where Do They Live?

North American River Otters are incredibly adaptable and can be found in both freshwater and coastal environments throughout:

• The United States (Alaska to Florida!)
• Most of Canada
• Rivers, lakes, marshes, streams, and even coastal shorelines

They’re most active at night and during dawn or dusk (that makes them nocturnal or crepuscular, depending on opportunity), and they’re usually seen alone or in small family groups.

Otterly Amazing Facts

• Part of the Mustelid family (relatives include weasels, ferrets, and badgers).
• Can hold their breath for up to 8 minutes.
• Use whiskers to hunt in murky water.
• Need clean water to keep their fur waterproof.
• Fur contains 600,000+ hairs per square inch.
• Once threatened—now making a comeback thanks to conservation!