North American River Otter

LONTRA CANADENSIS

These otters swim by propelling themselves with their powerful tails and flexing their long bodies. They also have webbed feet, water repellent fur to keep them dry and warm, and nostrils and ears that close in the water.

River otters are members of the weasel family. They hunt at night and feed on whatever might be available. Fish are a favorite food, but the also eat amphibians, turtles, and crayfish.

They remain active in winter, using ice holes to surface and breath. They can hold their breath underwater for up to eight minutes.

Otters are very sensitive to water pollution and are often the first indicators of poor water quality.

Length: 3.7 ft. (males; 3.2 ft. (females)
Weight: 11-30 lbs.
Lifespan: Up to 14 years in the wild; Up to 25 years in captivity.

Click HERE for a River Otter Activity Sheet for older kids!

Click HERE for a River Otter Activity Sheet for younger kids!

Our Current Residents

Benjamin – Male, Born February, 2009 (estimated)

Amelia – Female, Born February, 2009 (estimated)

Ben and Amelia were relocated to ZooMontana in 2009 as pups due to issues with a local fishery. Neither of them knew how to swim when they arrived and the Zoo Keepers had to teach them. Ben especially enjoys training sessions with Zoo Keepers and his favorite treats are carrots, green peppers, and crayfish. Their favorite enrichment items (play things) include puzzle feeders that they have to work to open, logs from other zoo animal habitats with different animal scents, ice blocks, and feathers.

Sam - Male, Born 2018

Sam was born to Ben and Amelia and was one of the 'fab four' otters born unexpectedly in 2018. They had been abandoned by Amelia and hand raised by zookeepers. Sadly, one of them passed, while the other two are on loan at the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone. Sam remains at ZooMontana and has become a well know ambassador.

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Mustelidae
Genus: Lontra
Species: Lontra canadensis

Animal Facts

Carnivore
Common
Semi-Aquatic
Diurnal

Our Animals

Alpaca

Both of our Alpacas were donated to ZooMontana after being retired from the show circuit. They both enjoy being goofy in the barn pasture, often sparring with one another.

American Badger

Uki was brought to ZooMontana by the state in 2019. She was found next to her mother who had been shot. She quickly imprinted on her caregivers during the rehab process, deeming her unreleasable.

American Mink

Ivy came to ZooMontana as a rescue from a fur farm. She loves playing in buckets of ice cubes or snow and sleeping with her stuffies.

Amur Tiger

Sofi and Jasmine are sisters that were born in Florida in 2012 and were raised together. They moved to the Zoo in the early summer of 2014. Whether we are in the middle of a blizzard or a heat wave, t...

Bald Eagle

Emelio came to us from a rehab center in Anchorage, Alaska, and Tokata came to us because she hit a power line with the tip of her wing, breaking her wrist.

Ball Python

Hana came to ZooMontana in 2023 from the Colorado Reptile Humane Society, where she was a pet surrender.

Bearded Dragon

Moana was donated to ZooMontana by a volunteer in May, 2020. Bearded dragons are opportunistic omnivores but Moana loves to eat a variety of vegetables and insects.

Bison

Bert came to ZooMontana in 2018 after suffering a broken leg. Bert and Nellie then had a calf, Jay, in June 2021.

California Kingsnake

Taco came to ZooMontana in 2018 as a pet surrender. Taco is now an ambassador animal used for educational programming.

Canada Lynx

Fierca came to ZooMontana in 2014 from a private owner.

Cane Toad

Cheech was a pet surrender and was brought to ZooMontana in 2016 as a young toad. She can often be seen in the later afternoons as she searches out her food.

Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula

Taboo came to ZooMontana in 2015 as a pet surrender. She enjoys afternoon walks with her keepers.

Chinchilla

Both Minnie and Daisy are pet surrenders who came to ZooMontana in 2019. They can often be seen either on the highest point of the exhibit, or down low in their log.

Colombian Red-Tailed Boa Constrictor

Leroy lived a tough life before coming to ZooMontana. He was rescued from inadequate care after being found living in squalor.

Common Garter Snake

The Common Garter snake is one of the the most common and familiar snakes in North America.

Domestic Chicken

With a population of over 25 billion, chickens are the world's most populous bird.

Eastern Screech Owl

Scout came to ZooMontana in 2015 after a car strike blinded him in his left eye. Scout's calm demeanor makes him a popular education ambassador.

Flemish Giant Rabbit

Agnes was donated to ZooMontana in 2017 after being raised through the 4-H program. Walter was donated in 2020 from a local family.

Golden Eagle

Oro came to the Zoo in 2007 after being hit by a car. The impact left him with a permanent wing injury.

Green Iguana

Kuzco came to ZooMontana as a pet surrender. He's a handsome devil that enjoys walks in the Zoo's plaza.

Grey Wolf

Onyx and Simpson make up the wolf pack at ZooMontana.

Grizzly Bear

Ozzy, George and Willie are all at ZooMontana due to human conflict in their natural habitat.

Hoffman's Two Toed Sloth

Winston is the darling Sloth of Montana. He arrived at ZooMontana in June of 2020 to the delight of many.

Koi

ZooMontana has over 70 Koi. The Koi pond is cared for through the generosity of the Billings Water Skipper Pond Club.

Laughing Kookaburra

Sydney came to ZooMontana from a facility in Tennessee. She enjoys her travels with the Zoo's education crew and loves to laugh. See if you can get her to laugh at the Zoo!

Leopard Gecko

Steve the Gecko is a pet surrender. She very much enjoys a stroll around the Zoo with her keepers.

Madagascar Day Gecko

Both Geckos came to ZooMontana in 2015 through a breeder. They are quick little critters and can usually be seen clinging to the walls of their habitat.

Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches

ZooMontana has hundreds of cockroaches, too many to name! The Zoo manages a breeding colony.

Merriam's Turkey

The Merriam's Turkey is the largest game bird in North America and can most often be found within the Ponderosa Pine's of the West.

Miniature Donkeys

Lucy and Ethel came to ZooMontana is 2020 from a private ranch. They quickly acclimated to ZooMontana and can now be seen, and heard at the Zoo's barn.

Nigerian Dwarf Goat

Both goats were donated to ZooMontana from a local breeder. They love their treats and eagerly await guests.

North American Porcupine

Lander came to ZooMontana in 2019 after she was found next to her mother, who had been shot. She was raised here at the Zoo and is quickly becoming a guest favorite.

North American River Otter

Ben and Amelia were relocated to ZooMontana in 2009 as pups due to issues with a local fishery.

Peacock

ZooMontana is currently home to three free ranging Peafowl.

Red Panda

Red pandas prefer bamboo and will only eat the the youngest, most tender shoots and leaves. They eat many other foods as well, including fruit, acorns, roots, and eggs.

Red-tailed Hawk

Red-tailed hawks are the most widespread hawks in North American, often seen soaring above the landscape.

Savannah Monitor

Jack the is a pet surrender. He came to the Zoo as a young lizard in 2018 and is slowly becoming more visible in his habitat. He can most often be seen by looking through the tree hole near his ha...

Sichuan Takin

Khan and Griff came to ZooMontana from the Pueblo Zoo in Colorado. They incredibly curious and can often be seen playing soccer in their habitat.

Three Banded Armadillo

Dahlia came to the Zoo in 2022. She has a lot of energy and loves moving around her habitat discovering the new goodies the care staff place for her.

Three Toed Box Turtle

Both of our box turtles are pet surrenders. They live side by side, but cannot be placed together due to aggression towards one another.

Tiger Salamander

Sally and Simon were donated to ZooMontana as pet surrenders. They have been at the Zoo since 2019.

Turkey Vulture

Turkey Vultures eat carrion, or dead animals, which they find largely by their excellent sense of smell. Mostly they eat mammals but are not above snacking on reptiles, other birds, amphibians, fish,...

Vietnamese Walkingstick

ZooMontana currently has dozens of walkingsticks of various ages. Have fun finding them!

Western Hognose Snake

The hognose snake is named after its hog like snout.

White's Tree Frog

The White's Tree Frog is native to Australia and southern New Guinea. They range in color from light blue to emerald green.

Wolverine

Sid and Ahmari came to ZooMontana in 2017 from Sweden to take part in a crucial breeding program to create a genetically pure line of Wolverines.