NPSpecies

Present within the park on Mount Desert Island (Dubuc et al. 1988).

Native to New England (Whitaker and Hamilton 1998). Native to Maine (Palmer 1937).

Dubuc et al. (1988): Otter sign observed on 25 of 39 watersheds studied on MDI.

Park Species Detail: Whitaker and Hamilton (1998) New World Otters are thought to be distinct from Old World Otters, and some authors resurrect the old genus name Lontra for this New World species. Diachun (1998) Lists the river otter presence/absence for watersheds on MDI during the summer and winter of 1985-87, and also 1992 surveys and 1998 surveys. Dubuc et al. (1988): For 1985-87, river otter regularly used 11 watersheds, occasionally used 7 watersheds, rarely used 7 watersheds, and 14 watersheds were not used; Some otter sign encountered on 25 of the 39 watersheds studied on MDI. Coman (1987) reported this species at The Tarn; suggests that they were rare until the 1960s and have increased since; reported a pair at The Tarn, also reports their dens often along brooks or pond shores. Estimated between 30 and 34 pairs on MDI in 1978 and 1979. Coman (1981) estimated between 20 and 30 pairs on MDI (in the late 1970's?); observed 11 within the past 5 years and had reports of many more. Acadia National Park (1976): reported as rare on MDI during years reported between 1942 through 1976. Manville (1942): species is scarce if not extinct on MDI; last reported in March 1935. Last reported on 11 March 1935 in the Western Mountains region. Fresh slides and possibly young reported at Aunt Bettys Pond (Bailey 1925); observed at New Mill Meadow about 1929 (O. Thompson). Manville (1942) warned that River Otters might be extinct on Mount Desert Island. Coman (1987) suggests that they were rare until the 1960s and have increased since., Park Species Data Source: Diachun (1998); Dubuc et al. (1988); Coman (1987); Manville (1942)