river otter

American  

noun

1. a North American otter, Lutra canadensis, with brown and silver fur, native to streams and lakes in the U.S. and Canada.

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Etymology

Origin of river otter

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

river otter

Earlier this month, three women in southern Montana were attacked by at least one river otter, per the Associated Press.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2023

The particular subspecies involved, the northern river otter, is known to get as heavy as 20 pounds and to grow up to 47 inches in length.

From Washington Times ● Aug. 4, 2023

One is a kind of tortoise last seen in 1906, the other is a river otter that scientists thought no longer existed in Argentina.

From NewsForKids.net ● Dec. 8, 2022

The Potomac Conservancy offers more river otter fun facts at potomac.org/blog/2019/5/2/4-things-you-otter-know-about-river-otters.

From Washington Post ● Mar. 17, 2020

He is a shaman, and American Indians believe that his inspiration comes from the tongue of a mysterious river otter, caught by him.

From The Religion of the Ancient Celts by MacCulloch, J. A.