North American River Otters in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex
It may be something of a surprise to learn that we have a population of North American River Otters living among us right here in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. If that bit of information is not news, there might still be room for surprise when you discover just how common otters appear to be throughout the metroplex. And if that isn’t enough, maybe I can get you by sharing more about the unexpected urban habitats where River Otters have been found around DFW.
Consider this distribution map from Wikipedia. As you can see, it suggests that River Otters do not even range into the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Fortunately, River Otters cannot read range maps!
Now have a look at this informal River Otter sightings map that I have put together covering just the DFW metroplex. The points on this map were compiled from verified sighting reports, including those shared with me by readers of this blog, observations I have made myself, and those recorded in other reputable wildlife observation catalogs.
In Dallas/Fort Worth, River Otters are expected along the Trinity River, its major tributaries, and in the wetlands that form in the river bottoms. Somewhat surprisingly, they have also been observed in a number of more unexpected places such as farmland cattle tanks, business park water features, ponds and small lakes in residential subdivisions, golf course water hazards, and small suburban creeks.
Evidence suggests that North American River Otters are capable of making their way anywhere there is a system of water features in close proximity to each other. If these ponds, lakes, and other similar water ways provide an adequate food supply, then River Otters can call them home. Crayfish, freshwater mussels, and slow-moving, non-game fish are all favorites.
Recently, I discovered a well-worn game trail connecting a pair of small lakes in just such a system of water features. Sign of otter activity was abundant at this location, so I left behind a couple of trail cameras to record the goings on. It didn’t take long for the local otters to make their first appearance.
One of my objectives with this trail camera set was to attempt to get a rough estimate of the number of River Otters present at this location. Fortunately, when the otters would appear in front of the camera, it was not uncommon for them to spend the better part of the day there. Once out of the water, the otters would spend extended periods of time playing chase or lounging in the sun. Then it would be back into the water for a while, before hauling out to do whole thing all over again. The end result was many, many candid photos of metroplex River Otters!
Here are some examples of what I recorded… The first group of otters to come out of the water at this location was a mother and her two pups. The youngsters wrestled and swam, while mom otter looked on disapprovingly.
A few days later a second group made an appearance in front of my camera. This time it was a mother with her four offspring . They also made a day of playing and resting in front of the trail camera.
four rambunctious youngsters tagging along
and the other begins in some of these pictures!
Finally, there was this pair of young adult otters doing what every they are doing. All together that adds up to an informal total of ten River Otters at just this one location. Pretty amazing!
When considered in total, the evidence suggest that River Otters might actually be very common in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. But if that is the case, why are they not seen more frequently? That is something of a difficult question.
In my experience, River Otters are not terribly shy about being observed. I’ve even had a couple of encounters where–after the initial surprise of being discovered and resulting flight–the curious otter would turn and come back to have a second look at me. I’ve heard similar reports from others.
It may just be that the otter’s nocturnal and aquatic habits make it easy for these charming creatures to be missed on a day-to-day basis. Another possible factor may be that they never seem to stay in one place for long. Reports of repeated observations at the same location are rare. A final thing to consider is that River Otters are clever critters… They may only be seen when they want to be seen!
Before I close, let me share a few more pictures with you. The game trail at this location was very busy. It was frequented by every imaginable North Texas forest creature. There was a lot of coming and going all day and night.
I placed a second trail camera at near ground level, just a little further away from the water’s edge. My hope was to get some nice shots of these critters as they came over a small rise on the path. A sampling of the pictures that were recorded follows…
Chris,
Don’t believe everything you read as “gospel” in Wikipedia.
I have a range map published in the Field Guide to The Mammals in 1952 which shows they were prevalent throughout east Texas, down to the Gulf.
Thanks for your great picture posts.
My husband just saw 2 otters in creek behind our house! Garland near Firewheel golf course. Brand and Campbell area.
I just spotted one in DeSoto swimming along the edge of Heath creek. It went on shore and stared up at me for about ten seconds, then disappeared into the foliage. I even snapped a pic before it vanished. Thank you for the great story and pics!!
I just saw one in Canyon Creek (north Richardson) swimming close to the shoreline with a small fish in its mouth about an hour ago.
I seen one a few hours ago, here in Wylie Tx. Pretty darn cool
Another recent sighting at Kimzey Park in Colleyville, i had no idea they would range into suburban creeks and ponds – came across this page when trying to see if this was normal. Thanks for keeping up with this site Chris.
just found a dead otter in Frisco off of Lebanon road about 3/4 mile from closest water–Was definitely otter and not nutria or beaver
Thanks for the info. I photographed an otter at rest under a tree in The Lakes neighborhood a month ago. It wasn’t particularly concerned or frightened by my dogs and I.
Saw an otter yesterday swimming in a pond at Bridlewood Golf Club in Flower Mound. I’ve seen numerous beavers and nutria in years lol ast but never an otter!
Saw an otter this morning at mountain creek lake. It appeared to be crossing mountain creek parkway to access the under street flood tunnel from the Dallas Baptist side.
I just saw a dead on on the side of the road in Irving. Around where I saw a dead beaver last year. I thought I might have been mistaken and immediately Googled to see if they were in the area.
I just spotted one today swimming in a pond at North Lakes Park in Denton.
I spotted three of them on my way home just south of FM 1382 and I-20.
I hope there are more.
Saw one this morning at the south pond at Southlake Park in Denton. I’ve seen them in Hickory Creek of Veal Springs trail
Saw one yesterday in NW Denton County on the Cooke County line.
I have two on my trail camera at 5:00 am this morning 11/22/2022 at Trinity River near Hurst, Tx
I witnessed an otter at Mountain Creek Lake near the edge. It was swimming and went into a section of grass or reeds and popped back out for a minute before going back into the nest.
I saw and photographed a mother and two pups living in Cottonwood Creek in Wylie.
Just saw five otters come down the creek that runs through my apartment complex in DeSoto, just south of Dallas. Never heard of anybody seeing them in the Dallas area!
I saw a river otter up Denton Creek this morning. It was rolling around on the river bank.
Just saw an otter on our cam come to our pond! This was the first time we’ve seen it, we are in southwest Arlington West of Cooper! Didn’t know they lived around here until I read this article!
I saw an otter crossing Hackberry Road in Van Alstyne, this morning. He ran across the street into an open field.
We have been loosing large (12-15) Koi out of our pond downtown McKinney koi pond over the past month (From 9 down to 4). The only ones that have survived (so far) are the very large 24+inch koi. Caught a river otter on cam 2 nights ago entering the pond. (One less Koi the next morning). Saw Several possums same night – raccoons on other nights. Very sad because we have had them for 7+ years and previous owners for 10 or more before. Any ideas on how to discourage the otters from making our pond their home. We have a drainage creek behind the house that has water except in dry summer months that feeds town lake about a mile away. I would appreciate suggestions.