Canadian, or North American, River Otters are playful little creatures. These active little otters can be seen in the wild by people living in inland North America, and can be seen in zoos and parks in other areas of the world.

Solitary animals, Canadian River Otters usually mark off their territory using scent glands. They dig dens into the riverbank, where they may remain during inclement weather. Sometimes, nests built out of leaves or sticks are located inside these dens. Canadian River Otters, unlike many otter species, are quite agile when they are out of the water. They can run quickly and it has been reported that they can even climb trees! Although they may be active during both day and nighttime hours, Canadian River Otters are more active at night. They can make a variety of sounds, from growls and clucking noises to whistles. Normally, a loud coughing noise indicates surprise or fear, while a softer, clucking cough indicates friendliness. Chirping is another friendly noise, and squeaking or grunting usually accompanies mating or fighting behaviors. Playful and active, they have been noted sliding down muddy banks. They acquire some of their food underwater and eat a variety of aquatic invertebrates. They also eat small reptiles, birds, amphibians, and mammals. Canadian River Otters are most often found in coastal areas or near freshwater ponds, streams, or other waterways.

The average Canadian River Otter is about 15 to 52 inches (46 to 131 centimeters) long. The tail is usually between 12 and 21 inches (30 and 54 centimeters) long, and these otters usually weigh between 6 and 39 pounds (3 to 18 kilograms). Most Canadian River Otters are brown in color. Often the belly, throat, chin, and cheeks are tan. They can close off their ears and nostrils underwater. The feet are webbed, and Canadian River Otters have two to four inch long whiskers. Their heads are relatively broad and short, and the body is long and tapering. The Canadian River Otter has five toes on each foot.

Sadly, Canadian River Otters have been hunted for their fur. Their natural ranges have been reduced due to human development and also due to water and air pollution. Canadian River Otters are found throughout most of Canada and range down south through the United States.

In captivity, Canadian River Otters will require plenty of space with both land and water areas.

Most Canadian River Otters reach sexual maturity between two and three years of age. Usually mating occurs in the spring for Canadian River Otters, and is monogamous. Receptiveness to mating is often indicated by a musk released from scent glands. Males will fight for a female, and the mating pair will show a playful and active courtship. Canadian River Otters can show delayed implantation for periods between 51 and 76 days. Including this delay, the gestation period lasts between 245 and 380 days. In preparation for birth, the Canadian River Otter will line its den or nest with vegetation. Litters usually contain between one and five young, which are blind and helpless at birth. Although the father is driven away, he usually returns within a few weeks to aid in raising the young. By the time they are three to four months old, Canadian River Otters are weaned, and both parents will teach them to hunt. Often they remain with their parents until they are about eight months old.