Critters of the Week

Photo by Dave Parrish

Photo by Dave Parrish

Last February the  James was at or above flood stage for quite a few days. As a result, an otter moved up to Forest Hill Park Lake. Despite my best efforts I never spotted the wily critter. Luckily friend of RVAHub, Dave Parrish had much better luck.

Where Spotted: Forest Hill Park Lake
Common Name:  North American River Otter
Scientific Name:Lontra canadensis
Body Length: 26 to 42 in
Tail Length: 12 to 20 in
Weight: 11.0 and 30.9 lb

Quick Facts From Maymont’s Otter Page (Maymont is home to two River Otters)

• There are 13 species of otters worldwide and are found on every continent except Australia and Antarctica.
• Otters have the thickest fur of any animal in the world with up to a million hairs per square inch. That’s 10 times what we have on our whole head!
• River otters can hold their breath underwater for up to 5 minutes.
• Baby otters are called cubs, pups or kits. They are born in the spring and can live up to 15 years in the wild and 25 years in captivity.
• Otters love tobogganing in the snow or mud. They slide down on their bellies into the water, jump out, run to the top of the slide, and go again.

Gumby at Richmond SPCA

Age: 1 year, 1 month
Gender: Spayed Female
Color: Grey
Declawed: No
ID: 42100500

Adopt Gumby at Richmond SPCA

Learn more about their adoption process.