A series of photos posted on the Facebook page for Florida’s Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge depicting a river otter feasting on an alligator have been causing quite a stir on the internet, with skeptics proclaiming that the images must have somehow been doctored.
But as unlikely as it may seem that a river otter would conquer and dine on such an imposing creature, they are, in fact, apex predators of many freshwater ecosystems.
The North American river otter: Overview
North American river otters, like the one featured in this gruesome display of nature, live on land and water, giving them eminent status within their environment. Researchers often use the population density of river otters as an indicator of the water quality and overall health of an ecosystem. Like sharks in the sea, the more otters there are in a particular ecosystem, the more that ecosystem flourishes. They are ultimately responsible for controlling populations of smaller animals that would otherwise take over an ecosystem and throw it out of balance.
The North American river otter: Diet
The North American river otter feeds primarily on fish, aquatic invertebrates, and crustaceans. However, it is not uncommon for them to turn their sights to birds, amphibians, and reptiles as a secondary means of nutrition. This is particularly the case in the spring and summer months when temperature and water levels are ideal for their prey. Other large mammals, such as raccoons, beavers, and rabbits occasionally make it on the menu as well, but in much rarer circumstances.
The North American river otter: Hunting habits
In the case of alligators, a seemingly unbeatable match for the diminutive mammal, the slaughter is enacted by mounting the reptile’s back and sinking their razor-sharp teeth into a soft point on its neck. The otter then endures a period of thrashing and rolling behavior the alligator employs to defend itself, until its muscles are filled with lactic acid and can no longer function. With its prey now disabled, the otter drags the alligator to shore and begins tearing through its armored skin to get to the flesh. The alligator dies not from being eaten alive, but from overproduction of lactic acid.
It may seem strange that a river otter would be capable of besting such a formidable foe, but it actually has very few aquatic predators. Once the river otter sets foot on land, however, the number of natural predators increases significantly. In fact, one of the greatest threats to the North American river otter is human activity, as they are very susceptible to pollution and degradation of their habitat. Fortunately, conservationists working ardently to preserve and restore the natural habitat of river otters has resulted in healthy populations in 29 US states and all Canadian provinces except for Prince Edward Island.
So the next time you spot a cute and cuddly North American river otter in the wild, make sure you give it the respect it deserves as an unlikely, but very real apex predator.
Featured Image from M Rose/Shutter Stock
