kiver Otters
Kathy Hufford
The North American river otter is found in the United States
and Canada The river otter is a member of the weasel family
it is equally at home in the water and on land An adult river
otter can weigh between ten and thirty pounds Because the
otter spends much of its time in the water, it is protected and
ansulated by a thick coat of water-repellent fur
River otters live in underground burrows close to the water's
edge The river otter's home is called a den. The den has many
tunnel openings One of these openings will lead directly into a river, lake, or other body of water. Female
otters give birth to their young in these dens
River otter babies are called pups A litter of river otter babies usually consists of one to six pups The
pups remain in the den until they are ten to twelve weeks old. At this time, the mother begins to teach them
to swim and hunt for food on their own
River otters prefer to eat fish, but they will also consume vanous amphibians, turtles, and sometimes small
mammals such as mice Bobcats, coyotes, and foxes may occasionally prey upon young otters, but
because river otters spend most of their time underground or in the water, they have few natural predators
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What would be the BEST group of headings to go along with the parts of the passage?
A
C
D
Range, Reproduction, Nutritional value when eaten as food
Habitat, How much they weigh, Where they live
Habitat, Rearing Young, Food
Range, Swimming Techniques. What they eat