Alaska west across northern Canada and U.S. to Nova Scotia. South to California and sections of Arizona.
River otters are long, streamlined animals with a thick tapered tail and short legs.
They have a wide, rounded head, small ears, and nostrils that can be closed underwater. They also have long, thick whiskers. They are dark brown to almost black above and a lighter color ventrally. The throat and cheeks are usually a golden. Food Habits River otters eat mainly aquatic organisms such as amphibians, fish, crayfish, and other invertebrates.