{"id":10878,"date":"2018-04-23T06:33:57","date_gmt":"2018-04-23T10:33:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/?p=10878"},"modified":"2018-04-23T09:58:43","modified_gmt":"2018-04-23T13:58:43","slug":"take-5-otter-overload","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-otter-overload\/","title":{"rendered":"Take 5: Otter Overload"},"content":{"rendered":"

River otters\u00a0were once a rare sight in Massachusetts, but thanks to better wetland conservation, pollution reduction, and habitat creation thanks to those industrious beavers, their numbers are on the rise. And thank goodness for that! With their playful, athletic nature, otters can be a lot of fun to watch as they body-surf down icy hills and generally use nature as their personal playground.<\/p>\n

These semi-aquatic carnivores love\u00a0marshes, lakes, rivers, swamps, and estuaries that provide an ample\u00a0supply of fish\u2014the foundation of their diet. Otters have been spotted at numerous Mass Audubon properties, including Broadmoor, Canoe Meadows, Barnstable Great Marsh, Stony Brook, Tidmarsh, and more, and although they are active day and night, your best chance to spot them is around dawn or dusk.<\/p>\n

Here are five photos of river otters from our Picture This: Your Great Outdoor<\/a>s photo contest. The 2018 contest opens in early summer, so keep your eyes peeled for updates!<\/p>\n

\"River

River otter \u00a9 Joseph Cavanaugh<\/p><\/div>\n

\"River

River otter \u00a9 Ashley Gibbs<\/p><\/div>\n

\"River

River Otter \u00a9 Sarah Hatton<\/p><\/div>\n

\"River

River otter \u00a9 Allison Coffin<\/p><\/div>\n

\"River

River otter \u00a9 Jim Renault<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

River otters\u00a0were once a rare sight in Massachusetts, but thanks to better wetland conservation, pollution reduction, and habitat creation thanks to those industrious beavers, their numbers are on the rise. And thank goodness for that! With their playful, athletic nature, otters can be a lot of fun to watch as they body-surf down icy hills […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":68,"featured_media":10880,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[158],"tags":[226,83,84,227],"class_list":["post-10878","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-take-5","tag-otters","tag-photo-contest","tag-photography","tag-river-otters"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/04\/562JosephCavanaugh1799_fi.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t87A-2Ps","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":13377,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-mink-outside-the-box\/","url_meta":{"origin":10878,"position":0},"title":"Take 5: Mink Outside the Box","author":"Ryan D.","date":"December 16, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"American Minks are members of the weasel family, averaging between 2 and 3.5 pounds, smaller than some of their cousins, Fishers and River Otters, but larger than others, such as ermine or long-tailed weasels. They share many traits with otters, including webbed feet and a coating of oil to keep\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/general\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"American Mink \u00a9 Mark Lotterhand","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/12\/1579Mark_Lotterhand24296.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/12\/1579Mark_Lotterhand24296.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/12\/1579Mark_Lotterhand24296.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/12\/1579Mark_Lotterhand24296.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16653,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/my-funny-nature-valentines-2022\/","url_meta":{"origin":10878,"position":1},"title":"My Funny {Nature} Valentine\u2019s 2022","author":"Ryan D.","date":"February 13, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Happy Valentine\u2019s Day from Mass Audubon! Show your nature-loving sweetheart how much you care with one of these \u201cpunny\u201d nature valentines\u2014or better yet, share some love for our mission to protect the nature of Massachusetts for people and wildlife with a donation. Share this blog, save the image you like\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/general\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/02\/2022-Valentines-Day-eCards-Bunnies.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/02\/2022-Valentines-Day-eCards-Bunnies.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/02\/2022-Valentines-Day-eCards-Bunnies.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/02\/2022-Valentines-Day-eCards-Bunnies.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7359,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/5-fun-facts-about-arcadia\/","url_meta":{"origin":10878,"position":2},"title":"5 Fun Facts About Arcadia","author":"Hillary T.","date":"April 11, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"By Jonah Keane, Sanctuary Director Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary in Northampton and Easthampton is Mass Audubon\u2019s flagship sanctuary in the Connecticut River Valley. Sandwiched between the two cities\u2019 downtown areas, its 700+ acres of forest, river, wetlands, and\u00a0restored grasslands are remarkably\u00a0diverse and easily accessible. Even though the wildlife sanctuary has been\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sanctuaries 100"","block_context":{"text":"Sanctuaries 100","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/sanctuaries-100\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/04\/accessible.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/04\/accessible.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/04\/accessible.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4482,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/mass-audubon-by-the-numbers-2014\/","url_meta":{"origin":10878,"position":3},"title":"Mass Audubon By the Numbers: 2014","author":"Hillary T.","date":"December 9, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"This holiday season we\u00a0have much to celebrate! This was a great year for wildlife and wild lands in Massachusetts because of people like you. Here, a look at the past year by the numbers. For more on the year's accomplishments, check out our Annual Report. #1 is Mass Audubon's ranking\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Stuff We Love"","block_context":{"text":"Stuff We Love","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/stuff-we-love\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/12\/Stony-Brook_Camp_2014_Heather-Cooper-7.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/12\/Stony-Brook_Camp_2014_Heather-Cooper-7.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/12\/Stony-Brook_Camp_2014_Heather-Cooper-7.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16024,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-eager-beavers\/","url_meta":{"origin":10878,"position":4},"title":"Take 5: Eager Beavers","author":"Ryan D.","date":"July 12, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Aside from humans, beavers are the only mammal that alters their habitat to meet their needs, which they accomplish by damming streams to form ponds. This behavior actually benefits other species (including people) as well. Because of the flooding beavers create, trees often die off and the dead \"snags\" provide\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Take 5"","block_context":{"text":"Take 5","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/take-5\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Beaver \u00a9 Lori Lynes","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/07\/178Lori_Lynes20709-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/07\/178Lori_Lynes20709-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/07\/178Lori_Lynes20709-2.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/07\/178Lori_Lynes20709-2.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7557,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/5-fun-facts-about-wachusett-meadow\/","url_meta":{"origin":10878,"position":5},"title":"5 Fun Facts About Wachusett Meadow","author":"Hillary T.","date":"May 9, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Located in the bucolic Central Massachusetts town of Princeton, Wachusett Meadow is a remarkably peaceful yet diverse wildlife sanctuary. Here, you can explore 12 miles of trails that traverse more than 1,000 acres of woodlands, wetlands, and meadows. But there\u2019s more to Wachusett Meadow than meets the eye. Teacher Naturalist\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sanctuaries 100"","block_context":{"text":"Sanctuaries 100","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/sanctuaries-100\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/05\/west-trail.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/05\/west-trail.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/05\/west-trail.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10878","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/68"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10878"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10878\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10903,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10878\/revisions\/10903"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10880"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10878"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10878"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10878"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}