Scientists discovered that river otter droppings contain large numbers of parasites that infect the animals’ prey, indicating that otters may play a significant role in shaping local food webs.

Biologists and ecologists have long wished to gather high-quality data on exactly what the animals they study are eating, but how can such observations be made without disturbing the natural patterns ...

New research from the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Edgewater on river otter feces in the Chesapeake Bay makes revelations about the animal’s diet, the ecological role of parasites and ...

North American river otters have lived for a long time in Chesapeake Bay, yet relatively little is known about how their surroundings impact them. So what does daily life for river otters on the ...

North American river otters eat, play and defecate in the same place. And their unhealthy habits make them ideal for detecting future health threats in the environment. Kristen Goodhue A North ...

Three North American river otters play in the snow on the docks of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. Detected with SERC’s night-vision wildlife cameras. North American river otters have ...

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1. Otter ecology and its background -- 2. Pen pictures. Thirteen otters of the world : some natural history -- Europe -- Common or Eurasian otter, Lutra lutra -- North America -- River otter, or North ...