In the winter they slide on their bellies on the ice to make travel much faster. Otters are part of the same family of animals as weasels, badgers, and pine martens known as mustelids. They have streamlined bodies that allow them to be excellent swimmers. They weigh between 11-30 pounds with the males weighing more than the females. Most of the otters in the Border Country do not exceed 20 pounds and 4 feet in length.
Otters are dark brown with paler brown bellies.
They have small eyes and ears and long tails. Their ears and noses have adapted to keep water out with valves that close when they are underwater. Otters have very noticeable whiskers that are long and white. River otters are found in lakes, streams, rivers, and ponds in forested areas. They also spend a lot of time on land.