River Otter in Arkansas. IV. Winter Food Habits in Eastern Arkansas

Authors

C. Renn Tumlison, Oklahoma State UniversityFollow
Anthony W. King, Oak Ridge National LaboratoryFollow
V. Rick McDaniel, Arkansas State University

Abstract

Stomachs and intestines of 89 river otters (Lutra canadensis) collected in eastern Arkansas during the trapping seasons (December- January) of 1978-1983 were examined for food remains. Fish (primarily centrarchids, catostomids, and clupeids) dominated the diet (71.2%). The next most abundant prey was crayfish (18.3% of the diet). Other foods included gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), wood duck (Aixsponsa), snakes (Thamnophis proximus), frogs (Ranidae and Hylidae), and beetles (Coleoptera).

Recommended Citation

Tumlison, C. Renn; King, Anthony W.; and McDaniel, V. Rick (1986) "River Otter in Arkansas. IV. Winter Food Habits in Eastern Arkansas," Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science: Vol. 40, Article 25.
Available at: https://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaas/vol40/iss1/25