• Home
  • WHO WE ARE
  • Mammals
  • Birds
  • Animal Groups
  • Reptiles
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
Wild Letter | The What's What In Wildlife
Logo
Mammals

Are Otters Predators?

Mac Montoya
No Comments
December 27, 2021
3 Mins read
nature animal cute fur

Are otters predators?

Do they eat other animals?

We’ll gladly answer that question: yes, they do.

Otters are predators just like many other mammals.

They use their claws to help them hunt and feed on fish, crabs, turtles, clams, mollusks, insects, birds, and even large mammals such as deer.

Which Otters Are Predators?

There are two species of otter that are classified as predators: the North American river otter and the sea otter.

The sea otter feeds on shellfish which can include crabs, clams, and mussels.

They will also eat a variety of animals including worms, snails, sea urchins, and dead animals from the ocean floor.

The North American river otters have been known to feed on frogs, salamanders, small fish, and insects.

In some cases, they have been known to eat very large animals such as ducks, chickens, and even the occasional beaver.

How Do Otters Hunt?

an otter close up
Say cheese, otter!

They will hunt in a variety of ways including playing with their prey by tossing it into the air.

They will also poke at them with their paws or drag them underwater until they drown.

Once dead, it will be eaten right away or stored for later consumption.

They also use their very powerful tail to propel themselves through the water faster and more efficiently.

They have been clocked going up to about 12 miles per hour using this technique!

That is a lot of speed for a predator that weighs only 10 pounds!

Otters use their whiskers to tell how fast the current is.

They will rub them together to get a sense of the speed and direction of the water flow so they know which way to go without having to look at it directly.

They also rely on their whiskers and nose when hunting for food.

When the whiskers hit the prey, the otter knows it is time to pounce!

The river otters can consume up to one-quarter of their body weight in food each day.

This means they are always hunting for something tasty and fresh.

They have an excellent sense of smell which helps them find prey in the water even when it is hiding.

They typically hunt alone because they are territorial creatures.

Do Otters Attack Outside of Animals?

an otter swimming through the water
A swimming otter

When friends and family members get together it is usually for the purpose of play.

They generally do not pose any threat to humans that are in the water or on land.

The only exception may be if the otter feels its territory is being invaded by a larger animal such as a human, bear, or wolf.

In that case, it may attack to protect its territory.

They usually become a threat when they consider the water from their habitat as something that is accessible for them to use.

They will then go after unsuspecting swimmers in the same way that they would hunt fish.

If this happens, it is best to get out of the water and away from the otter as quickly as possible.

Check out our other animal FAQs here:

  • Where Do Snow Leopards Live?
  • Are Pandas Bears?
  • Why Are Kangaroos So Buff?

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
mammals otter wildlife
Shares
Written by

Mac Montoya

Mac is a writer who loves everything and anything creative under the sun. From anime to animals, he'll get giddy at the sight of perfect color combinations, goosebump-inducing scenes, and a long list of synonyms.
Write Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Previous Post

Are Hummingbirds Territorial?

Next Post

What Do Possums Eat?

Featured Posts
Mammals

Are Pigs Smarter Than Dolphins? The Surprising Answer

November 1, 2022
Mammals

How Does A Dugong Protect Itself? The Sea Cow’s Secret Weapon

October 28, 2022
Mammals

What Are Springbok Predators? The Hunters Of These Antelopes

October 26, 2022
You might also like
black and brown reptile on green grass
Reptiles

Are Dragons Real?

3 Mins read
January 13, 2022
photography of monkey
Animal Groups

Top 10 Smartest Animals

3 Mins read
December 31, 2021
penguin on top of snow wildlife photography
Birds

How Many Species of Penguins Are There? A Guide on These Waddling Birds

5 Mins read
April 11, 2022
close up photo of eagle
Birds

Smartest Birds in the World

4 Mins read
January 23, 2022
tilt shift lens photography of gray bird flying on top of gray rocks
Birds

Osprey: The Ultimate Guide to the Mysterious Bird of Prey

6 Mins read
September 28, 2022
small squirrel on tree trunk
Mammals

Where Do Squirrels Sleep?

3 Mins read
February 16, 2022
© 2022 Wild Letter. All Right Reserved.
Logo
  • WHO WE ARE
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
Logo
  • Home
  • WHO WE ARE
  • Mammals
  • Birds
  • Animal Groups
  • Reptiles
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
Our site uses cookies. Learn more about our use of cookies: cookie policy
I accept use of cookies