Utah DWR is asking the public to report otter sightings

North American river otter in Utah. Photo: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is asking the public to report any otter sightings in the state.

“The data from these sightings will help us update the state river otter management plan,” said DWR Non-game Mammals Coordinator Kim Hersey.

If you see a river otter, or its tracks or feces, email a picture or video to utahotters@gmail.com.

It’s quite common for people to mistake otters for beavers or muskrats.

“Although there are many differences between the species — and it is easy to tell them apart out of water — when you just see a brown, furry face swimming, it can be quite easy to misidentify the species,” said Hersey.

River otters are distinguished from beavers and muskrats by several characteristics:

• Longer and leaner
• More agile
• Fast swimmers
• Have long, round tails covered in fur

Minks are often confused with otters as well. The biggest difference between the two is their size. A mink is much smaller, similar in size to a ferret. Otters are much larger, over 2 feet long, and roughly 20 pounds. Otters also have rounded noses, while mink’s faces are more pointy.