West Brighton on Staten Island in Richmond County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
North American River Otters
Photographed By Larry Gertner, August 2012
1. North American River Otters Marker
Habitat: Shores of rivers, marshes and bays
Range: North America
Status: Threatened
Slip Slidin’ Away
The streamlines form and webbed feet combined with the thick, tapered and muscular tail lends for speedy swimming. Otters mostly forage in the water, but are comfortable traveling on land as well. One fascinating method of catching prey involves swimming in circles, which creates a whirlpool that brings up fish and crustaceans.
Why We Otter Save Them
The North American River Otter, like most other species, are threatened primarily by fur trapping, as well as habitat destruction, over fishing and water pollution. Zoos and conservation centers continue to work tirelessly to save these amazing animals.
Did you know North American River Otters…
. can reach maximum speeds up to 18 mph while running?
. is both a social and vocal animal, communicating with whistles, twitters, and chirps?
. males can locate a female in estrous (heat) from over 5 miles away?
Erected by Richmond County Savings Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Environment • Industry & Commerce.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Woodchuck, a.k.a. Groundhog (within shouting distance of this marker); Powered by the Sun (within shouting distance of this marker); Vanishing Cats (within shouting distance of this marker); Ducks (within shouting distance of this marker); Cape Barren Goose (within shouting distance of this marker); Vietnamese Pot Bellied Pig (within shouting distance of this marker); Mangalitsa Pig (within shouting distance of this marker); Australia (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Staten Island.
Also see . . . North American river otter. Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on April 16, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Larry Gertner, August 2012
2. The Otter Pond
Photographed By Larry Gertner, August 2012
3. One of the otters
Photographed By Larry Gertner, August 2012
4. The Staten Island Zoo layout
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 31, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 221 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 31, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
