River Otters like this mated pair are being seen more commonly around Seattle. Given proper habitat, River Otters can live throughout much of North America. Almost any lake, river or wetland will do. Otters are reclusive, but even if you don't see the otter, you can often find its "slide" along the shore or bank. People who see River Otters in saltwater areas such as our beach often think they've seen a Sea Otter, but they're different. River Otters are long and slender, with pointed tails,and never swim on their back, while Sea Otters are much stockier and spend most of their time floating on their backs. Sea Otters can be seen along rocky coves at the ocean, but not on inland waters such as Puget Sound. River Otters are playful, peculiar animals that seem to live in a world of their own. They are very talented at catching small fish, and those that live near here especially like flatfish such as starry flounder. Seeing more River Otters, even in an urban place like Seattle, is a sign that we are making progress in cleaning up our planet and making it a better place for all creatures to live.
Here's a story about one encounter with a River Otter...
The Otter's Repast...
Standing by the window this dark night, I am drawn outside, to the beach. I feel that something is out there, beneath the silent sea. At first, the lapping waves are featureless; then, a slight ripple suggests an underwater presence. Suddenly, a small flat head appears, followed by a long, undulating back. It is a River Otter, swimming toward the shore. Soon it waddles onto the beach and lies in the gently rolling surf while munching on a small flounder it has caught. The otter is thus absorbed for several minutes, until a glance down the beach reveals some unseen danger, causing it to slip back into the sea. I walk down to examine the remains of its abandoned meal, and catch the briefest glimpse of the fish's strange sideways face before, without warning, large waves begin to break, and the little flounder, too, is gone...