River otter mother ignores her three full-of-beans pups. (Video by K James)
River Otter Ecology Project
@riverotterecology.bsky.social
We work to create lasting protections for local waterways using community science, research, education, and advocacy. Our ambassador is the North American River Otter – an indicator of healthy waters. Otters for Waters https://riverotterecology.org/
Our research into river otter predation of brown pelicans is highlighted in SF Gate today. www.sfgate.com/local/articl...
River otters are hunting and drowning pelicans in a Bay Area lagoon
"It's a lot of bang for their buck."
sfgate.com
River otter basics: Mother, pup, fish. (note the paws on the pup!) Video by K James
First river otter pup of the year seen on one of our research cameras! Mom says, "Come along now."
Something new. This river otter carcass was found on the shoreline of an estuary in Northern California. The purplish coloring on the teeth occurs post-mortem, likely from the carcass being submerged for some time. The color on only the top teeth indicates dorsal recumbency (floating on its back).
Here's a romp of river otters romping around. (video by the great K James)
Here's an interesting river otter sighting for #WorldOtterDay. A mother otter with her piebald pup. Photo by Susan Asaturian.
To learn more about weird otters of the past (and present), read Romp!, a fantastic book about otters I edited that I will be flogging anytime it's relevant for the foreseeable future. www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/775730...
Romp! by Heide Island, PhD: 9780593855034 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books
An expert on otters dives into their wild and wondrous world You’ve heard of a murder of crows and a pride of lions—but what about a romp of otters? In this informative and entertaining book,...
penguinrandomhouse.com
Jess Nevins@jessnevins.bsky.social · 4mo agoTIL that on the Italian island of Sardinia in the Late Pleistocene there lived Megalenhydris barbaricina (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megalen...), an otter that could grow to more than 2 meters (6.6 ft) long. (Sardinia also had 1.4m/4.6ft tall dwarf mammoths. I bet kids rode them).
You can be an Otter Spotter! Here's how...
Now is a good time to get a Resist tee shirt or hoodie! Our sale ends Monday morning.
Happy book birthday to Romp! by otter scientist Heide Island, a delightful dive into everything you ever wanted to know about otters and a perfect gift for any animal lover (or Taylor/Travis fan)! Buy it here: www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/775730...
Our new Resist tees are here! Available for 1 week only. Support democracy, otters, and our shared waterways.
A bit of joy on #EarthDay. River otters are indicators of waterway health and symbols of the success humans can achieve in restoring ecosystems for all species, including ourselves. youtu.be/FfPxL9L4gs4
Two otters playing are more fun than one.....
YouTube video by River Otter Ecology Project
youtu.be
“We need people to understand you never save a place. It’s always being saved. Whether it’s a national park, or a reserve, or a Marine Protected Area, they require constance vigilance in order to maintain that protection. Be informed. Be involved. And never give up.” —Peter M. Douglas 🌎🌊
SB 954 restores the most essential public health and environmental safeguards removed by SB 131 last year. Contact your legislator and urge them to support SB 954 and push for strong limits on toxic industry near neighborhoods: findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov
This bunny and snake video seems appropriate for today...
We're one month out from the publication of ROMP! Everything you ever wanted to know about otters! Preorder here! www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/775730...
Romp! by Heide Island, PhD: 9780593855034 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books
An expert on otters dives into their wild and wondrous world You’ve heard of a murder of crows and a pride of lions—but what about a romp of otters? In this informative and entertaining book,...
penguinrandomhouse.com
Nice article about river otter recovery in the Great Lakes region (with a brief mention of our work). "What matters is simple: otters are back. And their presence proves something worth remembering. Healing is possible. Ecosystems can recover." www.rewildingmag.com/the-river-ot...
The River Otter's Remarkable Comeback
In North America’s Great Lakes region, river otters are coming back from the brink thanks to decades of effort on both sides of the border.
rewildingmag.com
River otter comedy troupe... (video by Curtis C)
Nice article abut some fantastic, low-tech wildlife crossing infrastructure built by Dr Randy Chambers, Director of the Keck Environmental Field Lab at College of William & Mary (our alma mater). "One animal in particular spurred this project — the river otter." news.wm.edu/2025/11/19/a...
A safer passage for wildlife
A team of William & Mary volunteers gets creative to help animals cross Jamestown Road.
news.wm.edu
A bald eagle considers its options after trying, unsuccessfully, to steal the river otter's fish. (Photo and Otter Spotter report by G Kitts)
As a supporting organization of the Save Newark Wetlands initiative, we thank @sfbaykeeper.bsky.social and Citizens Committee to Complete the Refuge for challenging the reckless approval of this development proposal.
San Francisco Baykeeper@sfbaykeeper.bsky.social · 8mo agoWhy is Newark planning to build in a flood zone? The city has approved a proposal to build in an environmentally sensitive area that regularly floods--putting people & wildlife at risk. So we're taking action with Citizens Committee to Complete the Refuge: baykeeper.org/press_releas...
Cunning salmon eludes 3 river otters on the prowl for a meal. (Otter Spotter report and video submitted by G Hanly.)
New Year's day Otter Spotting... 6 river otters along a rushing urban stream. (Video and sighting report by C Chang)
We're honored that our very own Skipper (Facilities Manager) and Poppy (Incident Commander) are The Contrarian's Pets of the Week (#2 & #3). #CatsOfTheResistance contrarian.substack.com/p/contrarian...
Contrarian Pets of the Week, Holiday Edition Part 2
Meet Archer, Skippy, Poppy, Banshee, Bambina, Stevie, Lottie, Ollie, Louie, Carmie, Ellie, Radar, Caroline, Loki, and Susie Q!
contrarian.substack.com
Some river otter shenanigans, with gratuitous fish-stealing at the end. (Video by the endlessly wonderful K James)