River Otter Diet

There are 11 varieties of river otters, including the North American river otter. These mostly aquatic animals live near waterways in North America and Canada and are a member of the weasel family. River otters are not recognized on the endangered species list but are becoming threatened due to human impact on their natural habitat. River otters spend a lot of time in the water, but are equally as comfortable on land. These animals find their food in rivers and along the banks of their locale.

What River Otters Eat

River otters are carnivorous, meaning they eat meat. Fish found in the rivers near their homes are the staple of their diet. According to the Department of Environmental Conservation, they hunt crayfish, mollusks, crabs, frogs, snakes and lizards. They will also eat aquatic insects birds, rodents (mice and moles), eggs and rabbits. Different species of otter's diets may vary due to the food available in their location.

How Much They Eat

Otters eat about 15 to 20 percent of their body weight each day. The average-sized otter is about 20 pounds; therefore the average otter eats about three to four pounds of food each day. River otters are extremely active and often live in cold waterways so their metabolic rate is very high. They must eat a lot to obtain the necessary energy to play, hunt and swim.

How They Hunt and Eat

River otters spend a lot of their waking time in play. They wrestle each other and play with rocks. All of this helps the otter practice hunting. The animals are most actively hunting during the night, from dusk until dawn. Otters will capture the prey in the jaws of their mouth and use their claws and paws to grasp onto food. They generally eat their prey head first. When eating fish, an otter tosses the fins of the fish aside.