BE A PART OF IT...OTTER KIT SEASON
by Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Otter Kit Season
Clearwater Marine Aquarium is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of multiple aquatic life, including North American river otters! Watch the video above and see how we responded to three orphaned otter kits last spring.
North American river otters are part of the weasel family and a separate species from sea otters. They are found in most states from Alaska to Florida, living near streams, lakes, wetlands, and marine coasts. Their diet consists of fish, amphibians, crustaceans, turtles, birds, and eggs.
River otters usually breed between the months of March-April, and pregnancy lasts 11-12 months. Baby otters are called kits and females usually have 1-3 kits per litter. Mother otters have to teach their kits how to swim and hunt. Kits are weaned at 14 weeks, but can stay with their mothers for up to a year.
When encountering young river otter kits, the public is advised to view from afar and to not interact with the animal. Often times, an otter mother will leave her kit for a period of time to forage. Furthermore, otters are potential carriers for rabies. If the animal seems distressed, immediately contact Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s Emergency Stranding Hotline at 727-441-1790 Ext. 234.