North America

North America is home to 2 species of otters

Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris) - Conservation status - Endangered

North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis) - Conservation status - Least concern

Sea otters were hunted to the brink of extinction during the height of the fur trade. Since then, a concerted effort to recover populations has been made and have been relatively successful. Although populations have increased since that time, the number of Sea otters haven’t reached the levels once were. This is due to a number of factors including their absence has meant that the habitats that they rely on have been majorly depleted, meaning that recovery is very difficult.

Unfortunately, the lessons learned from the Sea otter and the fur trade, haven’t been transferred to the North American River Otter. This species also suffered from the fur trade and has made a relative recovery. Large conservation efforts were made to aid in this recovery but unfortunately, river otters population increase has been met with a trapping season across much of its range.

North American River Otters are listed to have a “stable” population, but populations are largely unknown and with this large trapping season, it is impossible to say whether they are stable, or not.

©Samantha Hamilton

  • Species: North American River Otter and Sea Otter

    The North American River Otter is found across every province in Canada, with the exception of Prince Edward Island, although individuals have been seen.

    The Sea Otter only lives on the Pacific coast and, therefore, only in British Columbia.

    Legal protection: Sea otter is protected but North American River otter is legally trapped across all provinces present.

    Threats: Legal trapping, habitat loss

  • Species: North American River Otter and Sea Otter

    The North American River Otter is found across every state in the US, bar Hawaii.

    The Sea Otter lives across the Pacific coasts with stronger populations in California and Alaska. Washington has isolated populations and sightings in Oregon are sporadic.

    Legal protection: Sea otter is protected but North American River otter is legally trapped across all states with the exception of four (Arizona, California, Colorado and Wyoming).

    Threats: Legal trapping, habitat loss

Learn about Trapping

Read IOSF’s most recent report on the legal trapping of otters in North America, in IOSF OTTER Journal: Volume 7.