Diet of a Recently Reintroduced River Otter (Lontra Canadensis) Population in Taos County, New Mexico

River otters reintroduced to New Mexico after a nearly 60-year absence primarily consume crayfish (66.2%) and fish (61.8%), with significant seasonal variation in their diet. The study, the first of its kind in New Mexico, analyzed 877 scat samples from Taos County, revealing that Salmonidae and Catostomidae were the most frequently identified fish families. This research provides critical insights for otter management in the state and aligns with dietary patterns observed in other U.S. studies.

Wolf-Gonzalez, Gabriela Alexandra. (2020). DIET OF A RECENTLY REINTRODUCED RIVER OTTER (LONTRA CANADENSIS) POPULATION IN TAOS COUNTY, NEW MEXICO. University of Kentucky Libraries. https://doi.org/10.13023/ETD.2020.107