 |
Maximilian Sunflower (Helianthus maximiliani) |
The one on the right is our blooming poverty weed.
Included the boring image below just to show the low-water level now. This is adjacent to the Beer-Rock.
 |
| Ragged looking Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) |
 |
| Sesbania pods. |
 |
| Fine bunch of switchgrass. |
 |
| Sycamore. |
Curlytop Gumweed (Grindelia nuda) and the stubborn beauty of a palafoxia.
I'm not sure about it, but this black scat looks like the waste of a persimmon fruit meal left behind (from the behind) by a coon or fox. Probably a raccoon. These black piles of seeds are all up and down the Creek and into the Stonefield.
Below are two images of a flowering plant we found October 27 in all the stones just up on the Creek's high bank downstream of the Pool and before Walter's Place. We had difficulty in identifying it until Harlin responded via email from his high mountain home in Southern Colorado: False Pennyroyal or Fluxweed (Trichostema brachiatum), in the family Lamiaceae (the Mint Family).
 |
| Trichostema brachiatum |
 |
| Trichostema brachiatum |
 |
| Dried out walnut seeds looking ghostly. |
 |
| A morning view up-Pond towards the Tatums and the elusive river otters |
 |
| Looking down-canyon at 8:36 am October 27. |
River Otter (Lutra canadensis)
This nighttime video of river otters beside The Creek is a first for us. Earlier in the year we reported on seeing what looked like a beaver eating a fish on the opposite bank of the Pond. The dusky light was too poor to be sure just what we were looking at, but now it appears we had seen an otter back then. (There's a bit of an article on river otters at the bottom of this page, but one of the most informative websites is https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/41777-Lontra-canadensis We would suggest going here first for a fine summary of river otter.)
--Thank you, Tatums, for the video.
Harlin sent us a reminder of the list of flowering Creek plants he found and identified and catalogued a while back.
(Thank you, friend.)
Generic name
|
specific epithet
|
English name
|
Family
|
|
1
|
Cheilanthes
|
tomentosa
|
Wooly lip fern
|
Polypodiaceae
|
2
|
Pellaea
|
ovata
|
Zigzag cliffbrake
|
Polypodiaceae
|
3
|
Juniperus
|
ashei
|
Ashe Juniper
|
Cupressaceae
|
4
|
Cephalanthus
|
Button Bush
|
Acanthaceae
|
|
5
|
Ruelia
|
Acanthaceae
|
||
6
|
Siphonoglossa
|
pilosella
|
Tube Tongue
|
Acanthaceae
|
7
|
Yucca
|
rupicola
|
Twisted Leaf Yucca
|
Agavaceaea
|
8
|
Yucca
|
treculeana
|
Spanish Dagger
|
Agavaceaea
|
9
|
Cooperia
|
Rain-Lily
|
Amaryllidaceae
|
|
10
|
Rhus
|
aromatica
|
Fragrant Sumac
|
Anacardiaceae
|
11
|
Rhus
|
lanceolata
|
Lance-leaved Sumac
|
Anacardiaceae
|
12
|
Rhus
|
toxicodendron
|
Poison Ivy
|
Anacardiaceae
|
13
|
Chaerophyllum
|
tainturieri
|
Chervil
|
Apiaceae
|
14
|
Cyclospermum
|
leptophyllum
|
Apiaceae
|
|
15
|
Daucus
|
pusillus
|
Rattlesnake Weed
|
Apiaceae
|
16
|
Eryngium
|
leavenworthii
|
Eryngo
|
Apiaceae
|
17
|
Hydrocotyle
|
umbellata
|
Water Pennywort
|
Apiaceae
|
18
|
Torilis
|
arvensis
|
Hedge Parsley
|
Apiaceae
|
19
|
Matelea
|
reticulata
|
Pearl Milkweed
|
Asclepiadaceae
|
20
|
Amblyolepis
|
Huisache Daisy
|
Asteraceae
|
|
21
|
Ambrosia
|
psilostachya
|
Perennial Ragweed
|
Asteraceae
|
22
|
Ambrosia
|
trifida
|
Giant Ragweed
|
Asteraceae
|
23
|
Baccharis
|
neglecta
|
Roosevelt-Weed
|
Asteraceae
|
24
|
Calyptocarpus
|
vialis
|
Lawn flower
|
Asteraceae
|
25
|
Centaurea
|
cyanus
|
Cornflower
|
Asteraceae
|
26
|
Centaurea
|
melitensis
|
Maltese Star Thistle
|
Asteraceae
|
27
|
Chaptala
|
texana
|
Silver Puff
|
Asteraceae
|
28
|
Cirsium
|
texanum
|
Texas Thistle
|
Asteraceae
|
29
|
Conyza
|
canadensis
|
Horse Weed
|
Asteraceae
|
30
|
Corepsis
|
Asteraceae
|
||
31
|
Engelmannia
|
pinnatifida
|
Engelman Daisy
|
Asteraceae
|
32
|
Erigeron
|
modestus
|
Plains Fleabane
|
Asteraceae
|
33
|
Eupatorium
|
serotinum
|
Fall Boneset
|
Asteraceae
|
34
|
Gaillardia
|
pulchella
|
Firewheel, Indian Blanket
|
Asteraceae
|
35
|
Grindelia
|
nuda
|
Gumweed
|
Asteraceae
|
36
|
Gutierrezia
|
Broomweed
|
Asteraceae
|
|
37
|
Hedypnois
|
cretica
|
Asteraceae
|
|
38
|
Heterotheca
|
subaxillaris
|
Camphor Weed
|
Asteraceae
|
39
|
Hymenopappus
|
scabiosaeous
|
Old Plainsman
|
Asteraceae
|
40
|
Lactuca
|
serriola
|
Prickly Lettuce
|
Asteraceae
|
41
|
Lindheimera
|
texana
|
Texas Star
|
Asteraceae
|
42
|
Lygodesmia
|
texana
|
Skeleton plant
|
Asteraceae
|
43
|
Palafoxia
|
Asteraceae
|
||
44
|
Pinaropappus
|
roseus
|
White Rock Lettuce
|
Asteraceae
|
45
|
Ratibida
|
Mexican Hat
|
Asteraceae
|
|
46
|
Rudbeckia
|
hirta
|
Blackeyed Susan
|
Asteraceae
|
47
|
Senecio
|
ampullaceus
|
Texas Groundsel
|
Asteraceae
|
48
|
Solidago
|
nemoralis (?)
|
Goldenrod
|
Asteraceae
|
49
|
Sonchus
|
asper
|
Sow Thistle
|
Asteraceae
|
50
|
Sonchus
|
oleraceous
|
Sow Thistle
|
Asteraceae
|
51
|
Symphyotrichum
|
subulatum
|
Hierba del Marrano
|
Asteraceae
|
52
|
Tetraneuris
|
linearifolia
|
Bitterweed
|
Asteraceae
|
53
|
Verbesina
|
encelioides
|
Cowpen Daisy
|
Asteraceae
|
54
|
Verbesina
|
virginica
|
Frostweed
|
Asteraceae
|
55
|
Vernonia
|
baldwinii
|
Western Ironweed
|
Asteraceae
|
56
|
Viguera
|
dentata
|
Golden-Eye
|
Asteraceae
|
57
|
Wedelia
|
texana
|
Hairy Zexmenia
|
Asteraceae
|
58
|
Xanthisma
|
texanum
|
Sleepy Daisy
|
Asteraceae
|
59
|
Xanthium
|
strumarium
|
Cocklebur
|
Asteraceae
|
60
|
Berberis
|
trifoliata
|
Agarita
|
Berberidacaea
|
61
|
Campsis
|
radicans
|
Trumpet Creeper
|
Bignoniaceae
|
62
|
Buglossoides
|
arvensis
|
Boraginaceae
|
|
63
|
Heliotropium
|
tenellum
|
Pasture Heliotrope
|
Boraginaceae
|
64
|
Onosmodium
|
bejariense
|
Flase Gromwell
|
Boraginaceae
|
65
|
Arabis
|
petiolaris
|
Rock-cress
|
Brassicaceae
|
66
|
Capsella
|
bursa-pastoris
|
Sheperd's Purse
|
Brassicaceae
|
67
|
Draba
|
cuneifolia (?)
|
Whitlow-Grass
|
Brassicaceae
|
68
|
Lepidium
|
virginicum
|
Virginia Pepper-Grass
|
Brassicaceae
|
69
|
Lesquerella
|
recurvata
|
Slender Bladderpad
|
Brassicaceae
|
70
|
Rapistrum
|
rugosum
|
Annual Bastardcabbage
|
Brassicaceae
|
71
|
Opuntia
|
Pickly Pear
|
Cactaceae
|
|
72
|
Opuntia
|
Pencil Cactus
|
Cactaceae
|
|
73
|
Echinocereus
|
reichenbachii
|
Lace Cactus
|
Cactaceae
|
74
|
Echinocereus
|
triglochidiatus
|
Claret Cup Cactus
|
Cactaceae
|
75
|
Triodanis
|
Venus' Looking Glass
|
Campanulaceae
|
|
76
|
Polanisia
|
dodecandra
|
Clammy Weed
|
Capparaceae
|
77
|
Stellaria
|
media
|
Common Chickweed
|
Caryophyllaceae
|
78
|
Chenopodium
|
berlandieri
|
Stinkweed
|
Chenopodiaceae
|
79
|
Commelina
|
erecta
|
Dayflower
|
Commelinaceae
|
80
|
Tinantia
|
anomala
|
False Dayflower
|
Commelinaceae
|
81
|
Tradescantia
|
gigantea
|
Giant Spiderwort
|
Commelinaceae
|
82
|
Convolvulus
|
equitans
|
Bindweed
|
Convolvulaceae
|
83
|
Cuscuta
|
Dodder
|
Convolvulaceae
|
|
84
|
Evolvulus
|
sericieus
|
Silver Dwarf Morning-Glory
|
Convolvulaceae
|
85
|
Ipomoea
|
cordatotriloba
|
Torrey's Tievine
|
Convolvulaceae
|
86
|
Cucurbita
|
foetidissima
|
Stinking Gourd
|
Cucurbitaceae
|
87
|
Cladium
|
jamaicense
|
Sawgrass
|
Cyperaceae
|
88
|
Fuirena
|
simplex
|
Western Umbrella Grass
|
Cyperaceae
|
89
|
Schoenoplectus
|
pungens
|
common threesquare
|
Cyperaceae
|
90
|
Diospyros
|
texana
|
Texas Persimmon
|
Ebenaceae
|
91
|
Acalypha
|
phleoides
|
Lindheimer's Copperleaf
|
Euphorbiaceae
|
92
|
Chamaesyce
|
maculata
|
spotted sandmat
|
Euphorbiaceae
|
93
|
Chamaesyce
|
nutans
|
Eyebane
|
Euphorbiaceae
|
94
|
Cnidoscolus
|
texanus
|
Texas Bullnettle
|
Euphorbiaceae
|
95
|
Croton
|
fruticulosus
|
Encinilla
|
Euphorbiaceae
|
96
|
Croton
|
lindheimerianus
|
Three-Seed Croton
|
Euphorbiaceae
|
97
|
Croton
|
monanthogynus
|
Doveweed, Prarie-Tea
|
Euphorbiaceae
|
98
|
Euphorbia
|
cyathophora
|
Euphorbiaceae
|
|
99
|
Euphorbia
|
dentata
|
Toothed spurge
|
Euphorbiaceae
|
100
|
Euphorbia
|
marginata
|
Snow-on-the-mountain
|
Euphorbiaceae
|
101
|
Tragia
|
Noseburn
|
Euphorbiaceae
|
|
102
|
Astragalus
|
nuttallianus
|
Vetch
|
Fabiaceae
|
103
|
Desmanthus
|
acuminatus
|
Fabiaceae
|
|
104
|
Indigofera
|
lindheimeriana
|
Lindheimer's indigo
|
Fabiaceae
|
105
|
Lupinus
|
texensis
|
Bluebonnet
|
Fabaceae
|
106
|
Medicago
|
minima
|
Least Bur Clover
|
Fabaceae
|
107
|
Melilotus
|
indicus
|
Sour Clover
|
Fabiaceae
|
108
|
Mimosa
|
borealis
|
Catclaw
|
Fabiaceae
|
109
|
Prosopis
|
glandulosa
|
Mesquite
|
Fabaceae
|
110
|
Sesbania
|
drummondii
|
Rattlebush
|
Fabaceae
|
111
|
Sesbania
|
herbacea
|
Bigpod Sesbania
|
Fabaceae
|
112
|
Sesbania
|
vesicaria
|
Bagpod Sesbania
|
Fabaceae
|
113
|
Sophora
|
affinis
|
Eve's Necklace
|
Fabiaceae
|
114
|
Sophora
|
secundiflora
|
Texas Mountain Laurel
|
Fabiaceae
|
115
|
Strophostyles
|
helvola
|
Wild Bean
|
Fabiaceae
|
116
|
Vicia
|
ludoviciana
|
Deer Pea Vetch
|
Fabaceae
|
117
|
Quercus
|
Live Oak
|
Fagaceae
|
|
118
|
Corydalis
|
curvisilliqua
|
Scrambled Eggs
|
Fumariaceae
|
119
|
Erodium
|
cicutarium
|
Pin Clover
|
Geraniaceae
|
120
|
Erodium
|
texanum
|
Texas Storksbill
|
Geraniaceae
|
121
|
Nama
|
hispidum
|
Sandbells
|
Hydrophllaceae
|
122
|
Nama
|
jamaicense
|
Hydrophllaceae
|
|
123
|
Phaecelia
|
congesta
|
Blue Curls
|
Hydrophllaceae
|
124
|
Sisyrinchium
|
biforme (?)
|
Blue-Eyed Grass
|
Iridaceae
|
125
|
Juglans
|
microcarpa
|
River Walnut
|
Juglandaceae
|
126
|
Hedeoma
|
acinoides
|
Lamiaceae
|
|
127
|
Lamium
|
amplexicaule
|
Henbit
|
Lamiaceae
|
128
|
Monarda
|
citriodora
|
Lemon Beebalm
|
Lamiaceae
|
129
|
Salvia
|
farinacea
|
Mealy sage
|
Lamiaceae
|
130
|
Scutellaria
|
drumondii
|
Drummond's Skullcap
|
Lamiaceae
|
131
|
Teucrium
|
canadense
|
American Germander
|
Lamiaceae
|
132
|
Smilax
|
bona-nox
|
Greenbriar
|
Liliaceae
|
133
|
Alium
|
canadense
|
Onion+many others
|
Liliaceae
|
134
|
Alium
|
dummondii
|
Onion+many others
|
Liliaceae
|
135
|
Nolina
|
lindheimeriana
|
Devil's Shoestring
|
Liliaceae
|
136
|
Nothoscordium
|
bivalve
|
Crow Poison
|
Liliaceae
|
137
|
Mitreola
|
petiolata
|
Lax Hornpod
|
Loganiaceae
|
138
|
Mentzelia
|
albescens
|
Wavyleaf blazingstar
|
Loasaceae
|
139
|
Mentzelia
|
oligosperma
|
Chickenthief
|
Loasaceae
|
140
|
Lagerstroemia
|
indica
|
Crape (crepe?) Myrtle
|
Lythraceae
|
141
|
Abutilon
|
fruticosum
|
Indian Mallow
|
Malvaceae
|
142
|
Callirhoe
|
involucrata
|
Low Winecup
|
Malvaceae
|
143
|
Pavonia
|
lasiopetala
|
Rock Rose, Rose Pavonia
|
Malvaceae
|
144
|
Rhynchosida
|
physocalyx
|
Malvaceae
|
|
145
|
Sida
|
filicualis
|
Malvaceae
|
|
146
|
Wissadula
|
holosericea
|
Velvetleaf Mallow
|
Malvaceae
|
147
|
Melia
|
azedarach
|
Chinaberry Tree
|
Meliaceae
|
148
|
Cocculus
|
carolinus
|
Carolina Moonseed
|
Menispermiaceae
|
149
|
Boerhavia
|
coccinea
|
Scarlet Spiderling
|
Nyctaginaceae
|
150
|
Forestiera
|
pubescens
|
Elbow Bush
|
Oleaceae
|
151
|
Menodora
|
heterophylla
|
Redbud
|
Oleaceae
|
152
|
Gaura
|
brachycarpa (?)
|
Onagraceae
|
|
153
|
Gaura
|
parviflora
|
Velvetleaf Gaura
|
Onagraceae
|
154
|
Oenothera
|
kunthianna
|
Kunth's Evening Primrose
|
Onagraceae
|
155
|
Oenothera
|
laciniata
|
Cutleaf Evening Primrose
|
Onagraceae
|
156
|
Oenothera
|
triloba
|
Stemless Evening Primrose
|
Onagraceae
|
157
|
Oxalis
|
Stricta
|
Yellow Wood Sorrel
|
Oxalidaceae
|
158
|
Argemone
|
albiflora
|
Texas Prickly Poppy
|
Papaveraceae
|
159
|
Glaucium
|
corniculatum
|
Red Horned-Poppy
|
Papaveraceae
|
160
|
Rivina
|
humilis
|
Pigeon Berry
|
Phytoloccaceae
|
161
|
Plantago
|
rhodosperma
|
Plantain
|
Plantaginaceae
|
162
|
Plantago
|
wrightiana
|
Plantain
|
Plantaginaceae
|
163
|
Plantanus
|
occidentalis
|
American Sycamore
|
Plantanaceae
|
164
|
Andropogon
|
glomeratus
|
Bushy Bluestem
|
Poaceae
|
165
|
Aristida
|
purpurea (?)
|
Purple Three-Awn
|
Poaceae
|
166
|
Avena
|
fatua
|
Wild Oats
|
Poaceae
|
167
|
Bouteloua
|
curtipendula
|
Sideoats Grama
|
Poaceae
|
168
|
Bothriochloa
|
ischaemem
|
King Ranch Bluestem
|
Poaceae
|
169
|
Bothriochloa
|
laguroides
|
Silver Bluestem
|
Poaceae
|
170
|
Bromus
|
japonicus
|
Japanese Brome
|
Poaceae
|
171
|
Bromus
|
uniloides
|
Rescue Grass
|
Poaceae
|
172
|
Cenchrus
|
spinifex
|
Southern Sandbur
|
Poaceae
|
173
|
Chloris
|
cucullate
|
Hooded Windmill Grass
|
Poaceae
|
174
|
Chloris
|
verticillata
|
Windmill Grass
|
Poaceae
|
175
|
Cynodon
|
dactylon
|
Bermuda Grass
|
Poaceae
|
176
|
Dicanthelium
|
oligosanthes
|
Rosette Grass
|
Poaceae
|
177
|
Digitaria
|
cognata
|
Fall Witchgrass
|
Poaceae
|
178
|
Elymus
|
canadensis
|
Canada Wildrye
|
Poaceae
|
179
|
Elymus
|
virginicus
|
Virginia Wildrye
|
Poaceae
|
180
|
Hordeum
|
leporinum
|
Hare Barley
|
Poaceae
|
181
|
Limnodea
|
arkansana
|
Ozark Grass
|
Poaceae
|
182
|
Lolium
|
perenne
|
Ryegrass
|
Poaceae
|
183
|
Lolium
|
temulentum
|
Darnel
|
Poaceae
|
184
|
Nassella
|
leucotricha
|
Texas Wintergrass
|
Poaceae
|
185
|
Panicum
|
coloratum
|
Klien Grass
|
Poaceae
|
186
|
Panicum
|
hillmanii
|
Poaceae
|
|
187
|
Panicum
|
miliaceum
|
Broomcorn Millet
|
Poaceae
|
188
|
Panicum
|
virgatum
|
SwitchGrass
|
Poaceae
|
189
|
Paspalum
|
pubiflorum
|
Hairyseed Paspalum
|
Poaceae
|
190
|
Paspalum
|
urvillei
|
Vasey's Grass
|
Poaceae
|
191
|
Phalaris
|
caroiniana
|
CanaryGrass
|
Poaceae
|
192
|
Polypogon
|
monspeliensis
|
Rabbitfoot grass
|
Poaceae
|
193
|
Polypogon
|
viridis
|
Bent Grass
|
Poaceae
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194
|
Setaria
|
viridis (?)
|
Green Bristlegrass
|
Poaceae
|
195
|
Setaria
|
parviflora (?)
|
March Bristlegrass
|
Poaceae
|
196
|
Sorghum
|
halepense
|
Johnson Grass
|
Poaceae
|
197
|
Tripsacum
|
dactyloides
|
Eastern Grama Grass
|
Poaceae
|
198
|
Tridens
|
texanus
|
Texas Tridens
|
Poaceae
|
199
|
Gilia
|
incisa
|
Polemoniaceae
|
|
200
|
Phlox
|
Phlox
|
Polemoniaceae
|
|
201
|
Anagallis
|
arvensis
|
Scarlet Pimpernel
|
Primulaceae
|
202
|
Samolus
|
ebracteatus
|
Limerock Brookweed
|
Primulaceae
|
203
|
Samolus
|
valerandi
|
Thin-leaf Brookweed
|
Primulaceae
|
204
|
Clematis
|
drummondii
|
Old Man's Beard
|
Ranunculaceae
|
205
|
Delphinium
|
carolinianum
|
Carolina Larkspur
|
Ranunculaceae
|
206
|
Ranunculus
|
macranthus
|
Showy Buttercup
|
Ranunculaceae
|
207
|
Ranunculus
|
sardous
|
Hairy Buttercup
|
Ranunculaceae
|
208
|
Colubrina
|
texensis
|
Hog Plum
|
Rhamnaceae
|
209
|
Condalia
|
hookeri
|
Brasil
|
Rhamnaceae
|
210
|
Rubus
|
Dewberry
|
Rosaceae
|
|
211
|
Galium
|
aparine
|
Bedstraw
|
Rubiaceae
|
212
|
Galium
|
virgatum
|
Southwest Bedstraw
|
Rubiaceae
|
213
|
Stenaria
|
nigricans
|
Diamondflowers
|
Rubiaceae
|
214
|
Ptelea
|
trifoliata
|
Wafer Ash
|
Rutaceae
|
215
|
Sideroxylon
|
lanuginosum ssp. Rigidum
|
Coma, Gum Bumelia
|
Sapotaceae
|
216
|
Ungnadia
|
speciosa
|
Mexican Buckeye
|
Sapindaceae
|
217
|
Bacopa
|
monnieri
|
Water-Hyssop, Brahmi
|
Scrophulaceae
|
218
|
Mimulus
|
glabrata
|
Monkey Flower
|
Scrophulaceae
|
219
|
Verbascum
|
thapsus
|
Common Mullein
|
Scrophulaceae
|
220
|
Veronica
|
persica
|
Persian Speedwell
|
Scrophulaceae
|
221
|
Veronica
|
anagallis-aquatica
|
Water Speedwell
|
Scrophulaceae
|
222
|
Nicotiana
|
repanda
|
Wild Tobacco
|
Solanaceae
|
223
|
Solanum
|
triquetrum
|
Texas Nightshae
|
Solanaceae
|
224
|
Solanum
|
Nightshade
|
Solanaceae
|
|
225
|
Celtis
|
laevigata
|
Hackberry
|
Ulmaceae
|
226
|
Ulmus
|
Elm
|
Ulmaceae
|
|
227
|
Valerianella
|
stenocarpa
|
Corn salad
|
Valerianaceae
|
228
|
Aloysia
|
gratissima
|
Bee Brush
|
Verbenaceae
|
229
|
Lantana
|
horida
|
Lantana
|
Verbenaceae
|
230
|
Phyla
|
nodiflora
|
Frog Fruit
|
Verbenaceae
|
231
|
Verbena
|
brasiliensis
|
Vervain
|
Verbenaceae
|
232
|
Verbena
|
halei
|
Vervain
|
Verbenaceae
|
233
|
Verbena
|
scabra
|
Rough Vervain
|
Verbenaceae
|
234
|
Verbena
|
Vervain
|
Verbenaceae
|
|
235
|
Vitex
|
agnus-castus
|
Chaste Tree
|
Verbenaceae
|
236
|
Phoradendron
|
tomentosum
|
Mistletoe
|
Viscaceae
|
237
|
Cissus
|
incisa
|
Cow Itch
|
Vitaceae
|
238
|
Vitis
|
mustangensis
|
Mustang Grape
|
Vitaceae
|
The Mammals of Texas - Online Edition
River OtterOrder Carnivora : Family Mustelidae : Lutra canadensis (Schreber)
Description. A large, dark brown "weasel" with long, slender body; long, thick, tapering tail; webbed feet; head broad and flat; neck very short; body streamlined; legs short, adapted for life in the water; five toes on each foot, soles more or less hairy; pelage short and dense; upperparts rich, glossy, dark brown, grayish on lips and cheeks; underparts paler, tinged with grayish. Dental formula: I 3/3, C 1/1, Pm 4/3, M 1/2 X 2 = 36. External measurements average: total length, 1,168 mm; tail, 457 mm; hind foot, 124 mm. Weight, 6-7 kg, occasionally as much as 10 kg.
Distribution in Texas. Presently known only from eastern one-fourth of state in major watersheds; probably extirpated from the Panhandle, north-central, and southern Texas.
Habits. River otters are largely aquatic and frequent lakes and the larger streams. In the Gulf Coast region, marshes, bayous, and brackish inlets afford suitable range. They are expert swimmers and divers and can remain underwater for several minutes if necessary. They are not bound to water, however, and when occasion demands they do not hesitate to travel overland from one body of water to another. Their movements on land appear awkward. The long body is arched and supported by four short legs and reminds one somewhat of a "measuring" worm.
The slides and apparent playfulness of otters are well-known. The slide, situated on some steep clayey bank, seems to be used chiefly for "recreational" purposes. The otters play "follow the leader" in tobogganing, with front legs folded back, from the top of the slide into the water below.
Otters are notorious wanderers in their chosen habitat and an animal may range over several kilometers of a waterway. For this reason they are never abundant in any locality. They are ordinarily shy, unobtrusive creatures that are seldom seen even though they are active throughout the year.
The den varies with the locality and availability of sites. Most otters locate their dens in excavations close to water under tree roots, rock piles, logs, or thickets. The hollow bases of cypress trees and tupelo gums are especially popular. Occasionally, they will take over beaver lodges or muskrat dens for their own use after killing the occupants. A typical den consists of a hole leading into a bank, with the entrance below water level. Otters may occupy two dens, one as a temporary resting den and the other as a permanent nesting den.
Otters are not specific in their food habits. Their main diet consists of fish, crustaceans, mollusks, amphibians, reptiles, invertebrates, birds, and mammals. One of their choicest morsels is crayfish, and where they are abundant, an otter will consume a tremendous number annually. The fish they eat are primarily rough fish.
Virtually nothing is known about their reproduction in Texas. They probably breed in fall, but males do not generally mate until they are four years of age, and females rarely breed before two years. Males typically engage in fierce combat during the mating season, and they are believed to be solitary except when accompanying estrous females. Estrous lasts 40-45 days, and the female is receptive to the male at about six-day intervals. Mating usually occurs in the water. Delayed implantation results in the gestation period extending to as much as 270 days. Litter size varies from one to five, with two about average. Females may mate again as soon as 20 days following birth, which means that otters may remain continuously pregnant once they reach sexual maturity.
Newborns are about 275 mm in total length and weigh about 130 g. They are fully furred, but the eyes are closed and none of the teeth are erupted. Their eyes open at 22-35 days, and they are weaned at 18 weeks. The adult waterproof pelage appears after about 3 months.
