What are freshwater otters?

Freshwater otters do not live in oceans. Instead they live in the rivers of North America and are found on every continent except Australia and Antarctica. Freshwater otters that live in the United States do not live in deserts or in the Florida Keys.

Otters live in small familial groups and need both land and water for a habitat. Therefore they stay fairly close to their territory at all times and fiercely protect it. River otters keep their young on dry land until they are old enough to be introduced to the water. Their habitat must provide sufficient vegetation to shelter to their young from predators. River otters can also use rock shelters as dens.