Open Daily: 10AM - 5PM
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Otter Creek is proudly sponsored by Carthage Savings and Loan
Playful, curious and built for life in the water, North American river otters are among the zoo’s most engaging residents.
Meet Ricky and Nash
Ricky and Nash bring plenty of energy and personality to Otter Creek. Guests can often watch them swimming, exploring, interacting with enrichment and engaging with their animal care team.
Ricky
Ricky is known for his playful personality and strong bond with his keepers. He enjoys enrichment activities, training sessions and showing guests just how clever river otters can be.
Nash
Nash is one of Zoo New York’s newest otter residents. Curious and active, he is settling into life at Otter Creek and developing his own unique routines and favorite activities.
Built for the water
Designed to Swim
River otters are powerful swimmers with long, flexible bodies, webbed feet and strong tails that help them move quickly through the water.
Their dense fur traps air close to the body, helping keep them warm even in cold water. They can close their ears and nostrils while swimming and use sensitive whiskers to detect movement nearby.
Protecting Healthy Waterways
River otters depend on clean rivers, lakes and wetlands. Pollution, habitat loss and historic trapping caused major population declines in many areas.
Conservation efforts, improved water quality and carefully managed reintroduction programs have helped river otters return to many parts of their former range.
Their presence is often a positive sign of a healthy aquatic ecosystem.
Otters at a Glance
Range:
- Canada and much of the United States
Habitat:
- Rivers, lakes, wetlands and marshes
Diet:
- Fish, crustaceans, amphibians and other aquatic animals
Special adaptations:
- Webbed feet, streamlined bodies and water-resistant fur
Behavior:
- Curious, intelligent and highly active
Conservation status:
- Least Concern
DID YOU KNOW?
You Can Book A Private River Otter Experience!!
The River Otter Experience offers guests a private behind-the-scenes opportunity with Ricky and Nash and a member of the animal care team.
The experience may include:
- A private zookeeper chat
- Meeting the otters
- Tong feeding
- A training demonstration
- Enrichment activities
- Habitat access
Otter Creek is proudly sponsored by Carthage Savings and Loan
Carthage Savings and Loan’s support helps Zoo New York provide exceptional care, enrichment and educational opportunities for the river otters who call Otter Creek home.
Their partnership gives guests the opportunity to connect with these remarkable animals while learning about the importance of clean waterways and native wildlife conservation.