Otter Power! was originally published in the BFEC Newsletter, Vol. 15/No. 2, Spring 2011.
If there’s anything to reincarnation and I can’t come back as something care-free like a tapeworm, the fun-loving spirit and amphibious antics of the river otter seem appealing as a backup. Simply put: otters have more fun. The river otter is one of six members of the carnivorous weasel (Mustelidae… "weasel," cleverly, in Latin) family found in central Ohio. Its local relatives include the weasel, mink and badger.
By the beginning of the 20th century, habitat loss and over-exploitation had all but eliminated otters from Ohio’s rivers. Thanks in large part to the Ohio Division of Wildlife, today otters are back and thriving in many of Ohio’s watersheds including the Kokosing. These playful creatures live in family groups of four to six and spend the majority of their time frolicking or feasting on a variety of prey including fish, snakes, frogs, muskrats and even the occasional duck. Their torpedo-like shape and broad, webbed feet help make them agile both in and out of the water. Oil-secreting glands maintain healthy skin and fur and ensure a sleek appearance under all conditions.