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Every week there are new marvels to look for in the outdoors, and Discover Nature highlights these attractions. The Missouri Department of Conservation’s Josh Hartwig brings us the stories of river otters, luna moths, red buds, and other actors as they take center stage in nature’s theater.You can hear Discover Nature, Mondays at 7:42 a.m. and 5:18 p.m.

Discover Nature: River Otters Showcase Their Swimming Prowess

Missouri Department of Conservation.
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KRCU

His streamlined body maneuvers through the barely moonlit water as he extends those sensitive cat-like whiskers from a silvery muzzle searching for a suitable midnight snack.

He is a river otter, who just a century ago, you wouldn’t have seen in or near Missouri waterways. Otters were nearly eliminated in Missouri because of unregulated harvest. Thanks to restoration efforts in the 1980s and early 1990s otters are once again found throughout most of our state.

This time of year, in the third week of March, young river otters are in dens near Missouri lakes and streams.  There are usually two to five young per litter of otters.

These graceful, powerful swimmers are mostly nocturnal and active throughout the year and can stay submerged under water for three to four minutes because their nose and ears naturally close when they go underwater.

Measuring up to 53 inches long, a river otter is perfectly designed for its aquatic lifestyle with webbed feet, a long tapered tail, dense, oily fur and heavy layers of body fat for insulation. They live near streams, rivers and lakes and their burrows may be under large tree roots, beneath rocky ledges, under fallen trees, or below thickets.

Otters use their whiskers to feel around underwater and find food, which is usually fish and aquatic invertebrates, but may include mussels, frogs, turtles, aquatic insects and other small animals. 

A social animal, the otters live in family groups, vocalizing through chirps, grunts and snarls.

To keep track of current natural events like when to watch for young river otters around your local waterway, you can get your own Natural Events Calendar from the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Candice Davis is the former host of Discover Nature on KRCU. Her goal is to help people to discover nature and learn to appreciate the many outdoor opportunities Missouri has to offer. Candice knows that people who spend time in the outdoors are generally less stressed, more thankful, healthier and more successful in life. Children who spend time outdoors have better grades and are more physically active. It’s Candice’s goal to inspire Missourians to discover nature in their everyday lives through stories of butterflies, elk, tupelo trees, alligator gar and other marvels of nature on KRCU’s Discover Nature program.
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