River otters are a favorite animal around our house and this week’s nature study is going to introduce you to this active and entertaining animal. We frequently see them along our local river and are amazed at how fast they can swim! Check your local resources (nature centers, aquariums, or zoos) for a place to view river otters on your next field trip.
In the meantime, use the information in the Outdoor Hour Challenge to learn more about river otters and follow up with a nature journal page. I’ve listed a few activities below to get you started, but please remember that members have access to the full and complete challenge in the High Desert ebook.
Here are a few ideas to get you started with a river otter nature study:
- Here are some YouTube videos to watch: North American River Otter and (warning: intense and a little violent) River Otter vs. Coyote.
- For younger children, listen to chapter 25 in the Burgess Animal Book for Children, featuring the otter.
Please note that I won’t be posting the complete challenge here on the blog, but you will find the detailed challenge in the High Desert ebook that’s available both in the Ultimate Naturalist and Journey level memberships. Sign into your account and download the ebook for the details, more links, and notebook pages.
Alternate study: Outdoor Hour Challenge-Beavers
If you don’t have a membership yet, you can click the graphic above and join today for immediate access to the 25 ebooks and so much more! Remember that all levels, even the Discovery level membership, include access to all of the archived newsletters!
Topics in this ebook include:
- Bitterbrush
- Sagebrush
- Greater sage-grouse
- Succulents
- Mountain Lion
- Coyote
- Pocket Gopher
- Bristlecone Pine
- Elk
- Turkey Vulture
- Juniper
- Snowberry
- Golden Mantled Ground Squirrel
- River Otter
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