Otters - Otter trapping, removal, exclusion and damage control in Richmond and Charlottesville, Virginia

Virginia Professional Wildlife Removal Services provides nuisance otter trapping and removal
services for the following areas of Virginia - Albemarle, Goochland, Fluvanna, Orange, Powhatan,
Louisa, Henrico, and Hanover Counties as well as the Cities of Charlottesville and Richmond, and
the towns of Mineral, Gordonsville, Earlysville, and Keswick.

River otters (Lutra canadensis) are best known for their continuous and playful behavior, their
aesthetic value, and the value of their durable, high-quality fur. They have long, streamlined bodies,
short legs, and a robust, tapered tail, all of which are well adapted to their mostly aquatic habitat.
They have prominent whiskers just behind and below the nose, thick muscular necks and houlders,
and feet that are webbed between the toes. Their short but thick, soft fur is brown to almost black
except on the chin, throat, cheeks, chest, and occasionally the belly, where it is usually lighter,
varying from brown to almost beige.

Adult males usually attain lengths of nearly 48 inches (122 cm) and weights of about 25 pounds
(11.3 kg), but may reach 54 inches (137 cm) and 33 pounds (15 kg). Their sex can be readily
distinguished by the presence of a baculum (penile bone). Females have 4 mammae on the upper
chest and are slightly smaller than males. Female adults measure about 44 inches (112 cm) and
weigh 19 pounds (8.6 kg). The mean weights and sizes of river otters in southern latitudes tend to
be lower than those in latitudes farther north. Animal Removal Services of Virginia provides
nuisance otter trapping services in Virginia. Call us today and we will be happy to come out and help
you with your unwelcome guests.

Damage and Damage Identification

The presence of river otter(s) around or in a fish hatchery, aquaculture, or fish culture facility is a
good indication that a damage problem is imminent. Otter scats or toilets that contain scales,
exoskeletons, and other body parts of the species being produced is additional evidence that
damage is ongoing. Uneaten parts of fish in shallow water and along the shore is evidence that fish
are being taken. Otters usually eat all of a small catfish except for the head and major spines,
whereas small trout, salmon, and many of the scaled fishes may be totally eaten. Uneaten
carcasses with large puncture holes are likely attributable to herons. River otters can occasionally
cause substantial damage to concentrations of fishes in marine aquaculture facilities. Often
the damage involves learned feeding behavior by one or a family of otters.
(Source: Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage, 1994)