Which animals are common prey for river otters?

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Sea otter — otter A sea otter (*Enhydra lutris*) eating a crab.

River otters are opportunistic predators that feed on a variety of prey depending on local availability and seasonal changes. Their common diet includes:

Fish: They are proficient swimmers and often prefer slow-swimming species.12
Crayfish and crabs: Otters use their manual dexterity to dislodge these from under rocks.12
Mussels: These are frequently consumed as part of their foraging habits.12
Frogs: These are also a common component of their diet.12

Because they are opportunistic, river otters will consume whatever prey is most easily obtained in their freshwater ecosystems, and they may hunt in rivers, on land, or in coastal environments.12