These playful creatures are perfectly adapted for life in the water. They have sleek bodies, small heads, and a long tail. They also have webbed feet with short claws; perfect for swimming. River otters have dark brown fur that looks black when wet; it keeps them warm in frigid waters. If you see one in a river, you could confuse them with a small seal, even though seals and otters are not closely related. River otters seem always on the move and they are especially known for their playfulness. They slide in mud and snow slides along river banks and seem to have great fun!

A pair of river otters, courtesy U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service