Home
River Otter in Tennessee

River Otter in Tennessee

Lontra canadensis

River Otter in Tennessee — Quick Overview

There are 334 recorded sightings of River Otter in Tennessee, with 55 observations documented in the past 12 months. Local sightings are most frequently reported in November through February.

When to See River Otter in Tennessee

Most often reported in November through February.

Monthly sightings distribution for River Otter in Tennessee
MonthRecorded SightingsPeak Month
January44Yes
February41Yes
March31No
April0No
May0No
June17No
July25No
August22No
September26No
October38No
November31Yes
December32Yes

Compared With Other Regions

Explore how River Otter sightings in Tennessee compare to other North American hubs:

A sleek, semiaquatic mammal with dense brown fur, a long, tapering tail, webbed feet and a small, rounded head. It lives in rivers, lakes, marshes and coasts across Canada and the United States, eating fish, crayfish and frogs. It loves to play, sliding down muddy and snowy banks. Watch for it at dawn or dusk, and look for slides, tracks and scat piles at waterside logs.

Other Wildlife to Look for in Tennessee

Live Field Tracking

Track River Otter in Tennessee

See where River Otter was reported near you — get alerts when wildlife is spotted nearby.

Download on App Store

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to see a River Otter in Tennessee?

River Otter is most often reported in Tennessee in November through February, based on GBIF records. Reports partly reflect when more people are outdoors, so sightings in other months are possible.

Where can I see a River Otter in Tennessee?

There are 334 documented River Otter records in Tennessee. Parks, refuges and protected areas with suitable habitat are the best places to start; the charts above show when it's reported most.

How can I find River Otter sightings near me in Tennessee?

Use the WildMap app on iOS to see recent reports within 100 km from the past 7 days for free (WildMap Pro: 200 km and 30 days), and turn on alerts for sightings near you in Tennessee.