River Otters in Texas are welcome sight in the coastal marshes and bayous of southeast Texas. Although the Texas river otter was heavily trapped and hunted in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, they are making a comeback across the state. The otter population in Texas is now doing well and their numbers are rising. Today, TPWD believes otters and their pups inhabit “every river system in East Texas”
The Texas river otter is long bodied, semi aquatic member of the weasel family. Adult river otters can be up to five feet long and weigh more than twenty-five pounds. Covered with a thick waterproof coat of dark brown hair, they are perfectly adapted to life in the water. Although called a river otter they are equally at home in freshwater and coastal marine environments.
Curious Otters
Texas River otters are predators. They feed most commonly on fish, but amphibians, crayfish and freshwater bivalves also make up the balance of their diet. Along with their superb agility in the water, the the river otter has long whiskers and sharp canines. The sensitive whiskers help them locate their prey in murky water and the inescapable canines make for highly successful predators.
Although the Texas River Otter is relatively common in Eastern Texas today, they are secretive and wary. They are quite active hunters, but rarely seen. I was lucky enough today to encounter a single otter along the coast in eastern Harris county. This individual was feeding in a freshwater pond located in a marshy area in close proximity to Galveston Bay. Recently I had a very brief sighing of an otter in this location before and was pleased to get a better look today and capture a few images.
When you are out and about in eastern Texas’ coastal environment, keep your eyes open. If you’re lucky, you just might catch a glimpse of this secretive predator. In case you do, enjoy the opportunity and this comeback success story.