818 Life-histories of Northern Animals 



Length, about 40 inches (1,000 mm.); tail, I2§ inches 

 (317 mm.); hind-foot, 4 inches (102 mm.). 



A female collected by Dr. Merriam, on Birch Creek, 

 Ida.,' August 14, 1890, weighed 19 pounds (82 kilograms); 

 a young one with her weighed 10 pounds (42 kilograms); both 

 were fat. 



In general, the colour is dark rich glossy brown, becoming 

 paler and grayer below; the brown of the head and muzzle 

 changes on lips, cheeks, chin, and throat, rather abruptly, into 

 a pale brownish-gray, almost a grayish-white. Some specimens 

 are much paler. 



In the American Museum is an albino, or nearly white, 

 freak from Alaska. 



The following races are recognized: 



canadensis, the typical form. 



lataxina F. Cuvier, smaller. 



vaga Bangs, larger and redder than canadensis. 



pacifica Rhoads, pale in colour. 



sonora Rhoads, a large and yellowish race. 



Besides which are two closely allied insular forms: 



Lutra degener Bangs, very small; found in New- 

 foundland. 



Lutra periclyzomce Elliot, a large kind from Queen 

 Charlotte Islands. 



Life-history. 



RANGE The range of this species includes nearly the whole conti- 



nent. It is, or was, found in all parts of Manitoba, though its 

 numbers are greatly reduced there to-day. 

 ENVIRON- Frequenting invariably the water, or the vicinity of water, 



MENT ^j^g Otter finds its ideal surroundings in good-sized clear 



' N. A. Fauna, No. 5, July, icSpi, p. 82. 



