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Published on 1/8/09
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Otter
Lontra canadensis
Description About four feet long, with short legs and a long tail
Habitat Fox and Des Plaines Rivers, though in May an otter was spotted in Burnham Harbor. See them in March and April when they’re out breeding and snacking.
Notes Nearly extinct from Illinois since the mid-1800s, river otters started showing up around Chicago after the Illinois Recovery Program of the mid-’90s, where otters were released into the Illinois River (and other waterways) downstate and made their way to the Des Plaines River. Today, there are at least 10,000 river otters in the state, according to Bob Bluett, wildlife biologist with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, making the otter’s return to the lower Midwest one of the most successful animal restorations.
Dave Odd
Fri, Jul 04, 08, at 3:26am
The nests you are seeing are not in Rosemont, they are off of 90 in Busse Woods near Arlington Heights, and they are mostly Great Blue Herons along with a few other species.
Dave Odd
Fri, Jul 04, 08, at 3:21am
Bats aren't rodents.
Jamie
Thu, Jun 19, 08, at 4:04pm
This Place is a Zoo -- Big Brown Bat...Did your writer really think that bats are rodents? They are mammals and are closer related to humans genetically than they are to mice. I could see if there was a ha ha in the little write-up after it says flying rodents, but looks like he/she was serious. I think if Larry Heaney, who is quoted in the article, ever sees this he'll be pretty ashamed and upset to be associated with such a misconception.
Pattie
Thu, Jun 19, 08, at 2:26pm
I have often noticed a rookery of nests close to Rosemount, IL. Does anyone know if these are eagles or a type of heron?
