Otters & Possums

by Paul
(Barrie, Ontario, Canada)

Location: South Barrie, Ontario.
We have lots of animals such as Coyotes, White Tailed Deer, Foxes, rabbits, and others like that. What is more exciting is that we have seen Otters in the creek! Not just one or two, but a group of about four.

Our neighbours have seen them too - I think they are quite rare. Just tonight we saw our first Possum - that's not such good news, but we're on the edge of a large meadow, bordered by large trees on the one side, the creek and then a large wooded area that the city keeps naturalized.

Paul
(Barrie)

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This submission is from a reader in Barrie, Ontario, who has seen the elusive North American River Otter, Lontra canadensis.

The North American River Otter, which is a member of the Weasel family, hunts during dark of night, and they prey upon fish, various amphibians, turtles, and crayfish, when available. Otters are typically nocturnal, however, they seem to be more active during the day in winter-time.

The otter digs a burrow and builds a den close to the water's edge in a river, swamp or lake. The den may have several tunnel openings, one of which usually allows the otter direct access to the water. In these burrows underground, female Otters give birth to their litters of between one and six babies.

Thank you Paul for sending us this information about the Otters!

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