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89-601: The zoo was formed some time around 1908. The earliest zoo record describes a collection consisting of two bears and around fifty birds of various species. According to the zoo's website, "bears, local cats , hoofstock , and birds were added to the Zoo and housed in log cabin type exhibits." The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) officially recognized the park opening in 1929 as the Roeding Park Zoo. Only few animals were seen, but that number would later rise. The year attendance

178-494: A "river otter", the North American river otter is found in a wide variety of aquatic habitats, both freshwater and coastal marine, including lakes, rivers, inland wetlands, coastal shorelines, marshes, and estuaries. It can tolerate a great range of temperature and elevations. Aquatic life ties North American river otters almost exclusively to permanent watersheds. Their main requirements are a steady food supply and easy access to

267-421: A body of water. However, it is sensitive to pollution, and will disappear from tainted areas. Like other otters, the North American river otter lives in a holt, or den, constructed in the burrows of other animals, or in natural hollows, such as under a log or in river banks. An entrance, which may be under water or above ground, leads to a nest chamber lined with leaves, grass, moss, bark, and hair. The diet of

356-426: A consequence of vision adapted for underwater sight . North American river otters have a transparent inner eyelid (called a nictitating membrane ) to protect their eyes while swimming. Most mustelids, including otters, have 36 specialized teeth, including sharp canines and carnassials that inflict lethal bites to prey. Also, North American river otters have large molars used for crushing hard objects, such as

445-550: A large area "themed after aspects of Ta Prohm, Angkor, Cambodia." The new exhibit will include habitats for "the Malayan Tiger , Indian Rhinoceros , Orangutans , Asian small-clawed otter , and Sloth Bear , song birds, bats, and more." The "Kingdom of Asia" exhibit opened in 2023, and features tigers, sloth bears, orangutans, and other Asian species. [REDACTED] Media related to Fresno Chaffee Zoo at Wikimedia Commons Bear Bears are carnivoran mammals of

534-804: A localized threat to otter populations, especially in coastal areas. Water pollution and other diminution of aquatic and wetland habitats may limit distribution and pose long-term threats if the enforcement of water quality standards is not upheld. Acid drainage from coal mines is a persistent water quality issue in some areas, as it eliminates otter prey. This dilemma prevents, and consequently inhibits, recolonization or growth of North American river otter populations. Recently, long-term genetic consequences of reintroduction projects on remnant North American river otter populations has been discussed. Similarly, many perceived threats to North American river otters, such as pollution and habitat alterations, have not been rigorously evaluated. Little effort has gone into assessing

623-552: A major dietary component. Mammals preyed upon by North American river otters are characteristically small or are a type species found in riparian zones . The few occurrences of mammals found in the North American river otter's diet include remains of the muskrat ( Ondatra zibethicus ); meadow vole ( Microtus pennsylvanicus ); eastern cottontail ( Sylvilagus floridanus ); and snowshoe hare ( Lepus americanus ). Records of North American otters preying upon North American beavers ( Castor canadensis ) vary; it has been reported in

712-536: A member of the subfamily Lutrinae in the weasel family (Mustelidae), is equally versatile in the water and on land. It establishes a burrow close to the water's edge in river, lake, swamp, coastal shoreline, tidal flat, or estuary ecosystems. The den typically has many tunnel openings, one of which generally allows the otter to enter and exit the body of water. Female North American river otters give birth in these burrows, producing litters of one to six young. North American river otters, like most predators, prey upon

801-567: A migration across the Bering Land Bridge , which existed off and on between 1.8 million and 10,000 years ago. The otters migrated to North America and southwards again across the Panamanian Land Bridge , which formed 3 Mya. Listed alphabetically: The North American river otter has long and thin whiskers that are used to detect prey in dark waters. An average adult male weighs about 11.3 kilograms (25 lb) against

890-400: A new attendance record with just under 1 million visitors. Attendance dropped significantly from 2016 to 2017, to 833,114 guests; 2018 saw another slight drop to 828,000 guests. While no major new exhibits opened in 2017, May 2018 saw the debut of a new children's water attraction named "Wilderness Falls." This new play area was designed to allow younger guests to "cool off and make a splash in

979-601: A river otter nicknamed Sutro Sam took up residence around the former site of the Sutro Baths in San Francisco , the first river otter sighting in that city since the 1950s. North American river otters occupy all Canadian provinces and territories, except, until recently, Prince Edward Island . Otters have recently began re-establishing themselves on Prince Edward Island. Historical records indicate North American river otters were once populous throughout most major drainages in

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1068-933: A significant component of their diets. They are less likely to be prey for the North American river otters since they are fast-swimming and can find good escape cover. However, river otters will prey on trout, pike, walleye ( Sander vitreus vitreus ), salmon ( Oncorhynchus spp.), and other game fish during spawning . Otters have been found to consume invasive Asian carp. Adult North American river otters are capable of consuming 1 to 1.5 kilograms (2.2 to 3.3 lb) of fish per day. A study conducted on captive otters revealed they preferred larger fish, ranging from 15 to 17 centimeters (5.9 to 6.7 in), more than smaller fish, ranging from 8 to 10 centimeters (3.1 to 3.9 in), and they had difficulty catching fish species less than 10 centimeters (3.9 in) or larger than 17 centimeters (6.7 in). Otters are known to take larger fish on land to eat, whereas smaller fish are consumed in

1157-440: A study conducted in a central California marshland indicated crayfish formed nearly 100% of the river otter's diet at certain times of the year. However, North American river otters, as foragers, will immediately take advantage of other prey when readily obtainable. Other prey consumed by North American river otters includes fruits , aquatic plants , reptiles , amphibians , birds (most especially moulting ducks which render

1246-758: Is closely controlled. The North American river otter is considered a species of least concern according to the IUCN Red List , as it is not currently declining at a rate sufficient for a threat category. By the early 1900s, North American river otter populations had declined throughout large portions of their historic range in North America. However, improvements in water quality (through enactment of clean water regulations) and furbearer management techniques have permitted river otters to regain portions of their range in many areas. Reintroduction projects have been particularly valuable in restoring populations in many areas of

1335-524: Is from the Proto-Indo-European word *ǵʰwḗr- ~ *ǵʰwér "wild animal". This terminology for the animal originated as a taboo avoidance term: proto-Germanic tribes replaced their original word for bear— arkto —with this euphemistic expression out of fear that speaking the animal's true name might cause it to appear. According to author Ralph Keyes , this is the oldest known euphemism . Bear taxon names such as Arctoidea and Helarctos come from

1424-931: Is warranted prior to reintroduction of otters to a watershed. A North American river otter can have a territory as large as 78 square kilometres (30 sq mi). However, their usual territory is about 3 to 15 square miles (7.8 to 38.8 km ). This can change during mating seasons, but that topic is up for debate. Although North American river otters are known to be social animals, they can also survive by themselves. Their bodies allow them to avoid predators quite effectively since they can dive, burrow, twist, and turn their bodies for evasive techniques, enabling them to survive independently. North American river otters famously love to play together, which creates strong social bonds, improves hunting skills, and marks territory. North American river otters are not aggressively territorial, but frequently scent-mark certain spots to make their presence known. Delayed implantation distinguishes

1513-771: The American Bicentennial Celebration , the park's grizzly bear facility was expanded. In 1978, the Park Zoo Trust Fund (distinct from the Zoo Admissions Trust Fund) was established to make sure a portion of concession sales were used to improve the zoo. This freed the zoo from having to approve a budget with the City Council. In 1979, the zoo added the Edward A. Kane Reptile House, the world's first computer-controlled reptile habitat. In 1982, Nosey

1602-468: The American coot ( Fulica americana ). Although they consume birds, North American river otters do not feed on bird eggs. Aquatic invertebrates have been recognized as an integral part of the North American river otter's diet. Otters consume more aquatic insects in the summer as the populations increase and specific life stages heighten their susceptibility. Most aquatic invertebrates preyed upon by

1691-639: The Bering land bridge may have been possible during a major sea level low stand as early as the late Eocene (about 37 Mya) and continuing into the early Oligocene. European genera morphologically very similar to Allocyon , and to the much younger American Kolponomos (about 18 Mya), are known from the Oligocene, including Amphicticeps and Amphicynodon . There has been various morphological evidence linking amphicynodontines with pinnipeds , as both groups were semi-aquatic, otter-like mammals. In addition to

1780-564: The Isthmus of Panama . Their earliest fossil representative is Plionarctos in North America (c. 10–2 Ma). This genus is probably the direct ancestor to the North American short-faced bears (genus Arctodus ), the South American short-faced bears ( Arctotherium ), and the spectacled bears, Tremarctos , represented by both an extinct North American species ( T. floridanus ), and

1869-570: The Midwestern United States . Since their reintroduction to Kentucky in the early 1990s, the otters have recovered to the point that a trapping season was implemented in 2006, and the species is now found in all of the state's major waterways. In 2010, the Colorado Department of Wildlife reported the river otter, reintroduced to the state in the 1980s, was "thriving" and recommended its protection status be reconsidered. In late 2012,

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1958-623: The Miocene epoch 23.03 to 5.33 million years ago ( Mya ), which is "much earlier" than indicated in the fossil record. Fossils of a giant otter dating back 3.5 Mya (during the Pliocene ) have been found in the US Midwest; however, fossils of the modern river otter did not appear in North America until about 1.9 Mya. The New World river otters originated from the Old World river otters following

2047-838: The Pacific coast in North America. The species is also present throughout Alaska, including the Aleutian Islands , and the north slope of the Brooks Range . However, urbanization and pollution has resulted in a reduction in the otters' range in the United States. River otters are now absent or rare in Arizona, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee. Reintroduction projects have expanded their distribution in recent years, in West Virginia, and especially in

2136-735: The family Ursidae ( / ˈ ɜːr s ɪ d iː , - d aɪ / ). They are classified as caniforms , or doglike carnivorans. Although only eight species of bears are extant, they are widespread, appearing in a wide variety of habitats throughout most of the Northern Hemisphere and partially in the Southern Hemisphere. Bears are found on the continents of North America , South America , and Eurasia . Common characteristics of modern bears include large bodies with stocky legs, long snouts, small rounded ears, shaggy hair, plantigrade paws with five nonretractile claws, and short tails. While

2225-491: The northern river otter and river otter , is a semiaquatic mammal that lives only on the North American continent throughout most of Canada , along the coasts of the United States and its inland waterways. An adult North American river otter can weigh between 5.0 and 14 kg (11.0 and 30.9 lb). The river otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur. The North American river otter,

2314-533: The polar bear is mostly carnivorous , and the giant panda is mostly herbivorous , the remaining six species are omnivorous with varying diets. With the exception of courting individuals and mothers with their young, bears are typically solitary animals . They may be diurnal or nocturnal and have an excellent sense of smell . Despite their heavy build and awkward gait, they are adept runners, climbers, and swimmers. Bears use shelters, such as caves and logs, as their dens; most species occupy their dens during

2403-399: The spectacled bear ), and Ursinae (containing six species divided into one to three genera, depending on the authority). Nuclear chromosome analysis show that the karyotype of the six ursine bears is nearly identical, each having 74  chromosomes ( see Ursid hybrid ), whereas the giant panda has 42 chromosomes and the spectacled bear 52. These smaller numbers can be explained by

2492-1032: The Arctic region. Threats to North American river otter populations in North America vary regionally. North American river otter inhabitation is affected by type, distribution, and density of aquatic habitats and characteristics of human activities. Preceding the settlement of North America by Europeans, North American river otters were prevalent among aquatic habitats throughout most of the continent. Trapping, loss or degradation of aquatic habitats through filling of wetlands, and development of coal, oil, gas, tanning, timber, and other industries, resulted in local extinctions or population declines in North American river otter populations in many areas. In 1980, an examination conducted on U.S. river otter populations determined they were locally extinct in 11 states, and lost significant population in 9 other states. The most severe population declines occurred in interior regions where fewer aquatic habitats supported fewer otter populations. Although

2581-466: The Asian bile bear market. The IUCN lists six bear species as vulnerable or endangered , and even least concern species, such as the brown bear , are at risk of extirpation in certain countries. The poaching and international trade of these most threatened populations are prohibited, but still ongoing. The English word "bear" comes from Old English bera and belongs to a family of names for

2670-553: The Elephant's habitat was renovated and three new elephants were brought in. A red wolf exhibit known as Wolf Woods was added in 1984, and the Doris and Karl Falk Wildlife Education Center was completed, becoming part of the zoo's Educational Center. In 1985, the zoo's name changed from the Roeding Park Zoo to the Fresno Zoo. In 1988, the zoo's walk-through rainforest exhibit was added. 1989 saw

2759-502: The North American River otters is extensive and mostly consists of fish, frogs, crayfish, turtles, insects and some small mammals. They are known to hunt in pairs or alone and can hunt on both land and in the water. “The North American river otter ( Lontra canadensis ) is a predator adapted to hunting in water, feeding on aquatic and semi-aquatic animals. The vulnerability and seasonal availability of prey animals primarily determines

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2848-433: The North American river otter can be deduced by analyzing either stool obtained in the field, or gut contents removed from trapped otters. Fish are the primary component of the North American river otter's diet throughout the year. Every study done on the food habits of the North American river otter has identified varying fish species as being the primary component of its diet. For instance, an Alberta, Canada study involved

2937-765: The North American river otter during the spring and summer as a result of breeding activity, appropriate temperatures, and water supply for the prey. Waterfowl , rails , and some colonial nesting birds are preyed upon by North American river otters in various areas. Susceptibility of these species is greatest during the summer (when waterfowl broods are vulnerable) and autumn. The North American river otters have also been known to catch and consume moulting American wigeon ( Mareca americana ) and green-winged teal ( Anas crecca ). Other species of birds found within their diets include: northern pintail ( Anas carolinensis ); mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos ); canvasback ( Aythya valisineria ); ruddy duck ( Oxyura jamaicensis ); and

3026-540: The North American river otter has adapted to hunting in water, and eats aquatic and semiaquatic animals. The vulnerability and seasonal availability of prey animals mainly governs its food habits and prey choices. This availability is influenced by the following factors: detectability and mobility of the prey, habitat availability for the various prey species, environmental factors, such as water depth and temperature, and seasonal changes in prey supply and distribution in correspondence with otter foraging habitat. The diet of

3115-592: The North American river otter has been significantly reduced by habitat loss , beginning with the European colonization of the Americas . In some regions, though, their population is controlled to allow the trapping and harvesting of otters for their fur . North American river otters are very susceptible to the effects of environmental pollution , which is a likely factor in the continued decline of their numbers. A number of reintroduction projects have been initiated to help halt

3204-625: The North American river otter's diet. A study conducted on North American river otters in a southwestern Arkansas swamp identified a correlation between crayfish consumption, fish consumption, and water levels. During the winter and spring, when the water levels were higher, North American river otters had a greater tendency to prey upon crayfish (73% of scats had crayfish remains) rather than fish. However, when water levels are lower, crayfish will seek out shelter while fish become more highly concentrated and susceptible to predation. Therefore, fish are more vulnerable to being preyed upon by otters because

3293-497: The North American river otters' diets are those that are often plentiful and found in large schools: sunfish ( Lepomis spp.); darters ( Etheostoma spp.); and perches ( Perca spp.). Bottom-dwelling species, which have the tendency to remain immobile until a predator is very close, are susceptible to North American river otters. These include Central mudminnows ( Umbra limi ) and sculpins ( Cottus spp.). Game fish, such as trout (Salmonidae) and pike (Esocidae), are not

3382-602: The Pacific Coast, including the seashore and inland streams and lakes. However, river otters were scarce or absent in areas of Southern California such as the chaparral and oak woodlands and Mojave Desert seasonal waterway regions, or in the xeric shrubland regions in New Mexico, Texas, Nevada, and Colorado. In Mexico, North American river otters lived in the Rio Grande and Colorado River Deltas . Although commonly called

3471-425: The United States. However, North American river otters remain rare or absent in the southwestern United States. Water quality and development inhibit recovery of populations in some areas. The species is widely distributed throughout its range. In many places, the populations have re-established themselves because of conservation initiatives. Reintroduction of river otters may present a problem in that it may contaminate

3560-594: The addition of a large classroom wing, and the implementation of the Adopt-an-Animal fundraising program. Paul S. Chaffee, the zoo's director since 1965, died in 1990, and the Fresno Zoo was renamed the Chaffee Zoological Gardens of Fresno in his honor. In 1993, Nosey the elephant died at the age of 47. In 2004, "Measure Z" was passed by the voters (73%) in Fresno to raise money to expand the zoo, and to improve

3649-501: The ancient Greek ἄρκτος ( arktos ), meaning bear, as do the names " arctic " and " antarctic ", via the name of the constellation Ursa Major , the "Great Bear", prominent in the northern sky. Bear taxon names such as Ursidae and Ursus come from Latin Ursus/Ursa , he-bear/she-bear. The female first name " Ursula ", originally derived from a Christian saint 's name, means "little she-bear" (diminutive of Latin ursa ). In Switzerland,

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3738-416: The animal exhibits. The US$ 150 million project was contingent upon the submission and review of an environmental impact report. The name of the zoo was shortened to Fresno Chaffee Zoo in 2006. In 2007, a traveling "Stingray Bay" exhibit visited and attracted large crowds. Several stingrays were bred while they were visiting Fresno. In 2009, a permanent Stingray Bay exhibit was opened, funded by Measure Z. In

3827-756: The bear family with other carnivorans is shown in the following phylogenetic tree , which is based on the molecular phylogenetic analysis of six genes in Flynn (2005) with the musteloids updated following the multigene analysis of Law et al. (2018). Feliformia [REDACTED] Canidae [REDACTED] Ursidae [REDACTED] Pinnipedia [REDACTED] Mephitidae [REDACTED] Ailuridae [REDACTED] Procyonidae [REDACTED] Mustelidae [REDACTED] Note that although they are called "bears" in some languages, red pandas and raccoons and their close relatives are not bears, but rather musteloids . There are two phylogenetic hypotheses on

3916-463: The bear in Germanic languages , such as Swedish björn , also used as a first name. This form is conventionally said to be related to a Proto-Indo-European word for "brown", so that "bear" would mean "the brown one". However, Ringe notes that while this etymology is semantically plausible, a word meaning "brown" of this form cannot be found in Proto-Indo-European. He suggests instead that "bear"

4005-422: The birds flightless and thus makes them easier to capture), aquatic insects , small mammals , and mollusks . North American river otters are not scavengers; they avoid consuming carrion (dead animals). North American river otters do not generally handle prey of a large size relative to themselves but there are occasions where they have been observed ambushing and killing adult common snapping turtles while

4094-521: The brown bears (which includes the polar bear ). Modern brown bears evolved from U. minimus via Ursus etruscus , which itself is ancestral to the extinct Pleistocene cave bear . Species of Ursinae have migrated repeatedly into North America from Eurasia as early as 4 Mya during the early Pliocene. The polar bear is the most recently evolved species and descended from a population of brown bears that became isolated in northern latitudes by glaciation 400,000 years ago. The relationship of

4183-449: The collection and analysis of 1,191 samples of North American river otter scat (feces) collected during each season. Fish remnants were found in 91.9% of the samples. Moreover, a western Oregon study revealed fish remains were present in 80% of the 103 digestive tracts examined. Crustaceans ( crayfish ), where regionally available, are the second-most important prey for otters. Crustaceans may even be consumed more than fish. For example,

4272-496: The continental United States and Canada prior to European settlement. North America's largest North American river otter populations were found in areas with an abundance and diversity of aquatic habitats, such as coastal marshes, the Great Lakes region, and glaciated areas of New England . In addition, riverine habitats in interior regions supported smaller otter populations. The North American river otter existed on all parts of

4361-816: The crayfish have become more difficult to obtain. Amphibians, where regionally accessible, have been found in the North American river otter's diet during the spring and summer months, as indicated in many of the food habit studies. The most common amphibians and reptiles recognized were frogs ( Rana and Hyla ). Specific species of reptiles and amphibians prey include: boreal chorus frogs ( Pseudacris maculata ); Canadian toads ( Bufo hemiophrys ); wood frogs ( Rana sylvatica ); American bullfrogs ( Rana catesbeiana ); green frogs ( Rana clamitans ); northwestern salamanders ( Ambystoma gracile ); California giant salamander ( Dicamptodon ensatus ); rough-skinned newt ( Taricha granulosa ); and garter snakes ( Thamnophis ). Amphibians and reptiles are more obtainable by

4450-443: The distribution became reduced in some regions of southern Canada, the only province-wide extinction occurred on Prince Edward Island . During the 1970s, improvements in natural resource management techniques emerged, along with increased concerns about North American river otter population declines in North America. Consequently, many wildlife management agencies developed strategies to restore or enhance otter populations, including

4539-466: The early Pleistocene. By 3–4 Mya, the species Ursus minimus appears in the fossil record of Europe; apart from its size, it was nearly identical to today's Asian black bear . It is likely ancestral to all bears within Ursinae, perhaps aside from the sloth bear. Two lineages evolved from U. minimus : the black bears (including the sun bear , the Asian black bear, and the American black bear ); and

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4628-575: The enclosures. A 35-ft viewing glass allows guest to watch the sea lions underwater. This exhibit also includes Brown pelicans . This was the first major exhibit funded by Measure Z. The old sea lion enclosure was repurposed for river otters . In January 2014, ground was broken for the approximately 18-acre "African Adventure" expansion doubling the size of the zoo and including large animal exhibits such as lions , breeding elephants, cheetahs , rhinos, meerkats , hippos , gorillas , and penguins . Measure Z, which provided funding for capital zoo projects,

4717-1014: The extinct bear dogs of the family Amphicyonidae . Below is the cladogram based on McKenna and Bell (1997) classification: † Amphicyonidae [REDACTED] † Amphicynodontidae [REDACTED] Pinnipedia [REDACTED] † Hemicyoninae † Agriotheriinae † Ursavinae Ailuropodinae [REDACTED] Tremarctinae [REDACTED] Ursinae [REDACTED] Giant panda ( Ailuropoda melanoleuca ) [REDACTED] Spectacled bear ( Tremarctos ornatus ) [REDACTED] Sloth bear ( Melursus ursinus ) [REDACTED] Sun bear ( Helarctos malayanus ) [REDACTED] Asian black bear ( Ursus thibetanus ) [REDACTED] American black bear ( Ursus americanus ) [REDACTED] Polar bear ( Ursus maritimus ) [REDACTED] Brown bear ( Ursus arctos ) [REDACTED] Giant panda ( Ailuropoda melanoleuca ) [REDACTED] North American river otter The North American river otter ( Lontra canadensis ), also known as

4806-615: The father, until the following spring. Prior to the arrival of the next litter, the North American river otter yearlings venture out in search of their own home ranges. The North American river otter is found throughout North America, inhabiting inland waterways and coastal areas in Canada, the Pacific Northwest , the Atlantic states , and the Gulf of Mexico . They also inhabit the forested regions of

4895-476: The female's average of 8.3 kg (18 lb). Its body length ranges from 66 to 107 cm (26 to 42 in). About one-third of the animal's total length consists of a long, tapered tail. Tail lengths range from 30 to 50 centimetres (12 to 20 in). Large male North American river otters can exceed a weight of 15 kilograms (33 lb). It differs from the Eurasian otter by its longer neck, narrower visage,

4984-667: The food habits and prey preference of the river otter.” North American river otters consume an extensive assortment of fish species ranging in size from 2 to 50 centimeters (0.79 to 19.69 in) that impart sufficient caloric intake for a minute amount of energy expenditure. North American river otters generally feed on prey that is in larger supply and easier to catch. As a result, slow-swimming fish are consumed more often than game fishes when both are equally available. Slow-moving species include suckers ( Catostomidae ), catfish , sunfish and bass ( Centrarchidae ), daces, carp , and shiners ( Cyprinidae ). For instance, Catostomidae are

5073-560: The fusing of some chromosomes, and the banding patterns on these match those of the ursine species, but differ from those of procyonids, which supports the inclusion of these two species in Ursidae rather than in Procyonidae , where they had been placed by some earlier authorities. The earliest members of Ursidae belong to the extinct subfamily Amphicynodontinae, including Parictis (late Eocene to early middle Miocene , 38–18  Mya ) and

5162-454: The genus Ursavus during the early Oligocene (30–28 Mya); this genus proliferated into many species in Asia and is ancestral to all living bears. Species of Ursavus subsequently entered North America, together with Amphicynodon and Cephalogale , during the early Miocene (21–18 Mya). Members of the living lineages of bears diverged from Ursavus between 15 and 20 Mya, likely via

5251-668: The large turtles (which are roughly equal in average body weight to a North American river otter) are hibernating. Remains of the much larger North American beaver have been found in North American river otter scat in some regions, although most otter dietary studies in areas where otters and beaver live near each other do not show them to be regular predators of beavers (despite the claims of fur-trappers that otters frequently hunt beavers) and perhaps only young beaver kits may be attacked. When left unchecked, though, otters can be significant predators under certain circumstances (e.g. in hatcheries or other fish culture facilities). Likewise,

5340-646: The lone surviving representative of the Tremarctinae, the South American spectacled bear ( T. ornatus ). The subfamily Ursinae experienced a dramatic proliferation of taxa about 5.3–4.5 Mya, coincident with major environmental changes; the first members of the genus Ursus appeared around this time. The sloth bear is a modern survivor of one of the earliest lineages to diverge during this radiation event (5.3 Mya); it took on its peculiar morphology, related to its diet of termites and ants, no later than by

5429-418: The male first name "Urs" is especially popular, while the name of the canton and city of Bern is by legend derived from Bär , German for bear. The Germanic name Bernard (including Bernhardt and similar forms) means "bear-brave", "bear-hardy", or "bold bear". The Old English name Beowulf is a kenning , "bee-wolf", for bear, in turn meaning a brave warrior. The family Ursidae is one of nine families in

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5518-475: The most readily accessible species. Fish is a favored food among the otters, but they also consume various amphibians (such as salamanders and frogs ), freshwater clams , mussels , snails , small turtles and crayfish . The most common fish consumed are perch , suckers , and catfish . Occasional reports also show the river otter eating other small animals, such as mice, squirrels, birds, and even dogs that they've attacked and drowned. The range of

5607-409: The otters are from the orders Odonata ( dragonfly nymphs ), Plecoptera ( stonefly nymphs ), and Coleoptera ( adult beetles ). Invertebrates discovered within scats or digestive tracts could most likely be a secondary food item, first being consumed by the fish that are subsequently preyed upon by the North American river otters. Mammals are rarely consumed by North American river otters, and are not

5696-678: The potential predatory impact of otters may be considerable whenever fish are physically confined (most commonly in smaller ponds offering sparse cover or other escape options). To protect fish in these cases, the otters may need to be removed or relocated. Even in larger bodies of water, river otters may take disproportional advantage of any seasonal concentrations of fish when and where only very limited areas of suitable spawning, low-flow, or over-wintering habitat may exist. Even fast-swimming fish like trout slow down in extremely cold water, leaving them vulnerable. As such, careful consideration of any threatened, endangered, or fish species of special interest

5785-794: The primary dietary component of North American river otters in Colorado's Upper Colorado River Basin. Likewise, the common carp ( Cyprinus carpio ) is a preferred fish species for the North American river otter in other regions of Colorado. Fish species frequently found in the diets of the North American river otters include: Catostomidae, which consists of suckers ( Catostomus spp.) and redhorses ( Moxostoma spp.); Cyprinidae, made up of carp ( Cyprinus spp.), chubs ( Semotilus spp.), daces ( Rhinichthys spp.), shiners ( Notropis and Richardsonius spp.), and squawfishes ( Ptychocheilus spp.); and Ictaluridae , which consists of bullheads and catfish ( Ictalurus spp.). Other fish an integral part of

5874-425: The pups are about two months old and their coats grow in, their mother introduces them to the water. North American river otters are natural swimmers and, with parental supervision, they acquire the skills necessary to swim. The North American river otters may leave the den by eight weeks and are capable of sustaining themselves upon the arrival of fall, but they usually stay with their families, which sometimes include

5963-581: The rain forest exhibit, the former butterfly house (Maddis House) reopened as the Tropical Treasures exhibit in March 2009, with poison dart frogs and a sloth among other species. In August 2012, a very large Sea Lion Cove, designed after the Central Coast ’s Point Lobos , was opened. It contains 250,000 gallon saltwater tank with rock outcrops and islands, while preserving the redwood trees that surround

6052-538: The reduction in the overall population. The North American river otter was first described by German naturalist Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber in 1777. The mammal was identified as a species of otter and has a variety of common names, including North American river otter, northern river otter, common otter and, simply, river otter. Other documented common names are American otter, Canada otter, Canadian otter, fish otter, land otter, nearctic river otter, and Prince of Wales otter. The North American river otter

6141-628: The relationships among extant and fossil bear species. One is all species of bears are classified in seven subfamilies as adopted here and related articles: Amphicynodontinae , Hemicyoninae , Ursavinae , Agriotheriinae , Ailuropodinae , Tremarctinae , and Ursinae . Below is a cladogram of the subfamilies of bears after McLellan and Reiner (1992) and Qiu et al. . (2014): † Amphicynodontinae [REDACTED] † Hemicyoninae † Ursavinae † Agriotheriinae Ailuropodinae [REDACTED] Tremarctinae [REDACTED] Ursinae [REDACTED] The second alternative phylogenetic hypothesis

6230-520: The shells of molluscs . Additional premolars may be present. The dental formula is 3.1.4.1 3.1.3.2 . North American river otters only settle in areas that consist of vegetation, rock piles, and sufficient coverage. North American river otters are renowned for their sense of play. Otter play mostly consists of wrestling with conspecifics. Chasing is also a common game. North American river otters rely upon play to learn survival skills such as fighting and hunting. A highly active predator,

6319-530: The slightly younger Allocyon (early Oligocene , 34–30 Mya), both from North America. These animals looked very different from today's bears, being small and raccoon -like in overall appearance, with diets perhaps more similar to that of a badger . Parictis does not appear in Eurasia and Africa until the Miocene. It is unclear whether late-Eocene ursids were also present in Eurasia, although faunal exchange across

6408-416: The smaller space between the ears and its shorter tail. Males and female river otters show different non-sexual physical characteristics , with males typically being larger. North American river otters can live 21–25 years in captivity, or 8–13 years in the wild. North American river otters characteristically approach within a few feet of a boat or a person on shore due to their near-sightedness ,

6497-594: The southern boreal forest of Manitoba. Trappers in Alberta, Canada commonly assert North American river otters are major predators of North American beavers. A 1994 river otter study reported findings of beaver remains in 27 of 1,191 scats analyzed. However, many other studies did not report any findings of North American beaver remains in the scat sampled. Cases where otters have been ambushed and consumed by grizzly bears ( Ursus arctos horribilis ) and polar bears ( Ursus maritimus ) have also been reportedly witnessed near

6586-540: The species Ursavus elmensis . Based on genetic and morphological data, the Ailuropodinae (pandas) were the first to diverge from other living bears about 19 Mya, although no fossils of this group have been found before about 11 Mya. The New World short-faced bears (Tremarctinae) differentiated from Ursinae following a dispersal event into North America during the mid-Miocene (about 13 Mya). They invaded South America (≈2.5 or 1.2 Ma) following formation of

6675-626: The species from the Eurasian otter, which does not do this. In early spring, expectant mothers begin to look for a den where they can give birth. The female otters do not dig their own dens; instead, they rely on other animals, such as beavers, to provide suitable environments to raise their offspring. When the mothers have established their domains, they give birth to several kits. Litter size can reach five, but usually ranges from one to three. Each otter pup weighs approximately five ounces. The mothers raise their young without aid from adult males. When

6764-434: The suborder Caniformia , or "doglike" carnivorans, within the order Carnivora . Bears' closest living relatives are the pinnipeds , canids , and musteloids (some scholars formerly argued that bears are directly derived from canids and should not be classified as a separate family). Modern bears comprise eight species in three subfamilies: Ailuropodinae (monotypic with the giant panda ), Tremarctinae (monotypic with

6853-509: The support of the pinniped–amphicynodontine clade, other morphological and some molecular evidence supports bears being the closest living relatives to pinnipeds. The raccoon-sized, dog-like Cephalogale is the oldest-known member of the subfamily Hemicyoninae , which first appeared during the middle Oligocene in Eurasia about 30 Mya. The subfamily includes the younger genera Phoberocyon (20–15 Mya), and Plithocyon (15–7 Mya). A Cephalogale -like species gave rise to

6942-704: The threat of disease to wild North American river otter populations, so it is poorly understood and documented. Lontra canadensis is listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). They have been virtually eliminated through many parts of their range, especially around heavily populated areas in the midwestern and eastern United States. Appendix II lists species that are not necessarily threatened with extinction currently, but may become so unless trade

7031-407: The use of reintroduction projects. Since 1976, over 4,000 otters have been reintroduced in 21 U.S. states. All Canadian provinces except Prince Edward Island and 29 U.S. states have viable populations that sustain annual harvests. While current harvest strategies do not pose a threat to maintaining otter populations, harvest may limit expansion of otter populations in some areas. Oil spills present

7120-410: The water. North American river otters may prefer to feed on crustaceans , especially crayfish ( Cambarus , Pacifasticus , and others) and crabs more than fish where they are locally and seasonally plentiful. In Georgia, crayfish accounted for two-thirds of the prey in the summer diet, and their remnants were present in 98% of the summer spraint . In the winter, crayfish made up one-third of

7209-520: The waterfall, follow the footprints and explore the wilderness, and discover the fire lookout tower." Work also began in late 2018 and wrapped up in late 2019 on an infrastructure project designed to enable future zoo expansion, including the forthcoming "Kingdoms of Asia" project, as well as a new warthog and tortoise exhibit. The warthog/tortoise exhibit opened in African Adventure in June 2019. The zoo

7298-527: The winter for a long period of hibernation , up to 100 days. Bears have been hunted since prehistoric times for their meat and fur; they have also been used for bear-baiting and other forms of entertainment, such as being made to dance . With their powerful physical presence, they play a prominent role in the arts , mythology , and other cultural aspects of various human societies. In modern times, bears have come under pressure through encroachment on their habitats and illegal trade in bear parts, including

7387-636: Was around 2,000 and most of the visitors were from Fresno and the surrounding areas. The zoo grew substantially in the 1940s and 1950s, with 100 animals and more birds by 1947. The zoo's first foreman, Eldon "Curly" Blocker, was hired from the San Diego Zoo . In 1949, the zoo's Asian elephant Nosey (a name determined by a citywide "Name-the-Elephant" Contest) was acquired, with help from the Fresno Rotary Club . Her arrival coincided with Fresno's "49ers Days Rodeo Parade", and Nosey's presence in that parade

7476-464: Was closed for approximately three months during the spring of 2020 due to COVID-19. Despite the closure, planning and design was completed in mid-2020 for the Kingdoms of Asia exhibit, and the zoo officially broke ground on the new exhibit on September 24 of that year. This new themed area, which will repurpose and renovate existing exhibits, has been billed as an "immersive southeast Asian forest," including

7565-551: Was first classified in the genus Lutra . Lutra was the early European name (from Latin), and the specific epithet canadensis means "of Canada". In a new classification, the species is called Lontra canadensis , where the genus Lontra includes all the New World river otters. Molecular biological techniques have been used to determine when the river otter and the giant otter ( Pteronura brasiliensis ) of South America diverged. These analyses suggest they diverged in

7654-421: Was hired as the zoo's first director. In the late 1960s, the animal exhibits were renovated, with climate control being added to increase the comfort of the animals. In 1967, the large bird of prey exhibit was constructed, and in 1968, a master plan for future development was drafted. The zoo's area expanded by a third, and new exhibits featuring bison , elk , and prairie dogs were added. In 1976, in honor of

7743-491: Was implemented by McKenna et al. (1997) to classify all the bear species into the superfamily Ursoidea , with Hemicyoninae and Agriotheriinae being classified in the family "Hemicyonidae". Amphicynodontinae under this classification were classified as stem- pinnipeds in the superfamily Phocoidea . In the McKenna and Bell classification both bears and pinnipeds are in a parvorder of carnivoran mammals known as Ursida , along with

7832-549: Was popular enough to spawn the creation of the Fresno Zoological Society, which would create interest in the zoo and provide a fundraising mechanism. In the 1950s, ten large exhibits were added to the zoo grounds with monkeys , sea lions , camels , giraffes , an African bird aviary , a flamingo habitat, and on-site feed and medical compounds. The zoo became an institutional member of the AZA in 1957. In 1965 Paul S. Chaffee

7921-489: Was renewed by voters in November 2014. On October 15, 2015, phase one of African Adventure opened. The 13 acre exhibit is home to over 100 animals including lions, African elephants , cheetahs, White rhinoceroses , meerkats, giraffes , ostriches , and several antelope and birds. In 2016, the zoo opened the "Roo Walkabout," an Australian walk-through exhibit which features red kangaroos , emus and kookaburras . That year set

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