• Scientific name: Lutra canadensis
• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Mammalia
• Order: Carnivora
• Family: Mustelidae
• Genus: Lutra
• Species: L. canadensis

Fun Facts

• River otters are very sensitive to environmental pollution.
• They were once considered endangered in Illinois, but due to cleanups of our rivers and streams they have made a come back, and no longer are threatened.
• They eat fish, amphibians, turtles and crayfish.
• They live 10 to 15 years.
• An otter can weigh anywhere from 11 to 30 pounds.