iN PHOTOS: How playful otters adapt to icy conditions in Kamloops, Okanagan

River otters are lively members of the weasel family and no matter how cold the winter months can get, the critters can be spotted playing on icy lakes and rivers in Kamloops and the Okanagan. They wily animals don’t hibernate and have fascinating ways to thrive in freezing...

iN PHOTOS: How playful otters adapt to icy conditions in Kamloops, Okanagan
River otters are lively members of the weasel family and no matter how cold the winter months can get, the critters can be spotted playing on icy lakes and rivers in Kamloops and the Okanagan. They wily animals don’t hibernate and have fascinating ways to thrive in freezing temperatures and icy water, including a specialized coat of fur. Stiff guard hairs keep out the elements, while wavy underfur traps in warm air, and oil on the hairs repels water, according to reptileknowledge.com. https://www.reptileknowledge.com/reptile-pedia/where-do-river-otters-go-in-the-winter When lakes freeze over the otters dig tunnels and feeding dens in the snow where fluctuations in water levels leave cracks for them to come and go. They will find dens and nooks near open water to sleep in and line them with leaves, moss and grass. The otters are known to be intelligent with tight social bonds, communicating amongst themselves with chirps, growls, whistles and body language. READ MORE: iN PHOTOS: Pileated woodpeckers caught on camera in Kamloops, Okanagan https://infotel.ca/newsitem/in-photos-pileated-woodpeckers-caught-on-camera-in-kamloops-okanagan/it108013 The semi-aquatic species is most active between dusk and dawn, but area photographers were able to get some photos of them during daylight this winter. One frosty looking otter was spotted on an iced over lake in the higher elevations of Kamloops. A couple of others were photographed diving into Loon Lake west of Kamloops and another was spotted in the snow on a lake in the South Okanagan. If you take interesting photos of wildlife and want to share them, send them to news@infonews.ca mailto:news@infonews.ca To contact a reporter for this story, email Shannon Ainslie mailto:sainslie@infonews.ca  or call 250-819-6089 or email the editor mailto:news@infonews.ca . You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom mailto:tips@infonews.ca  and be entered to win a monthly prize draw. We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. SUBSCRIBE to our awesome newsletter here https://infotel.ca/newsletter .