These adaptations are particularly important because they eat mostly fish. Their fur is waterproof, insulating them and ensuring warmth on even the coldest of fishing trips. Their eyes are adjusted for underwater viewing, leaving them near-sighted when they are out of water. Research shows that without these vibrasse, their hunting success can drop as much as 20 percent in the dark nighttime water, proving the vibrasse are instrumental to feeding. During their frequent trips underwater, otters close their nose and ears to prevent water from entering.
Otters are well known for their playful antics.
These games are actually a part of the process of learning survival skills. The mother will often catch and release fish to show her pups how to hunt for food. Although a majority of their diet consists of fish, northern river otters also rely on crayfish and crabs, and an occasional waterbug, young waterfowl, snake, frog, or mussel to balance their diet. Pickering Creek provides an ample amount all of these creatures for the otter. The undeveloped shoreline and unpolluted water makes the creek a great habitat for the otter.