scholarly journals Summer Habitat Preferences and Activity Patterns of River Otters In Grand Teton National Park

2001 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 63-71
Author(s):  
Joseph Hall
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
National Park ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Lontra Canadensis ◽  
Snake River ◽  
Service Research ◽  
Grand Teton National Park ◽  
River Otters ◽  
The North ◽  
History Of

I studied the natural history of river otters. (Lontra canadensis) during the summers of 1982-1986 and 1995-1997 in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. Habitat preferences were analyzed by tallying sightings on 5 types of habitat along 16 km of the Snake River. Otters were seen on all 5 habitat types and exhibited a strong preference for the logjam/beaver lodge category. Beavers and otters sometimes occupied a lodge simultaneously. I recorded daytime activity directly in 1982 and noted a large peak in mid-morning and a small one in late afternoon. To obtain information indirectly on round-the-clock activity I employed 6 modified camera monitors activated by treadle-switches at frequently used sites. Pooled records for 3 summers showed almost two and a half times higher activity by day than by night, a finding opposite of what was expected. The hypothesis I suggest is that diurnal activity exceeds nocturnal activity because of the habituation of otters to humans over a half century's tradition of frequent exposure and non-harassment in the national park. In the summers of 1982-1986 and 1995-1997 I made a study of the natural history of river otters (Lontra canadensis), in Grand Teton National Park under auspices of the University of Wyoming - National Park Service Research Center. Occasional observations were made along the Snake River from Flagg Ranch near the north boundary of the park to the north end of Jackson Lake and from Pacific Creek to Deadman's Bar. However, the 3 km stretch of river from just below Jackson Lake Dam to the Oxbow was the site of most intensive study. (See Fig. 1)

scholarly journals Inquiry-Based Geology Field Course for In-Service Educators

2014 ◽  
Vol 37 ◽  
pp. 124-125
Author(s):  
David Harwood ◽  
Kyle Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
South Dakota ◽  
National Park ◽  
Grand Teton National Park ◽  
Excellent Opportunity ◽  
History Of ◽  
Teton Range ◽  
Park Area

Eight in-service teachers and two instructors engaged in an inquiry-based geology field course from June 14 to 29, 2014 through Wyoming, South Dakota, and Nebraska. This team of learners spent three days in mid-June working in the Grand Teton National Park area. The UW-NPS facilities provide an excellent opportunity for participants to discover the natural history of the Teton Range, as well as close-out a few projects while sitting in a real chair, at a real table, a welcome change from our usual campground setting.

scholarly journals River Otter Distribution and Food Habits in Grand Teton National Park as Part of an Ongoing Project in the GYE

2015 ◽  
Vol 38 ◽  
pp. 75-78
Author(s):  
Kelly Pearce ◽  
Tom Serfass
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Public Support ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Lontra Canadensis ◽  
Flagship Species ◽  
River Otter ◽  
Grand Teton National Park ◽  
River Otters

Grand Teton National Park is part of the known range of the North American river otter, however not much is known about this semi-aquatic mammal within the park. The results presented here are part of a larger project to investigate the potential of the river otter (Lontra canadensis) to serve as an aquatic flagship (species that engender public support and action) for the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. River otters, known for their charismatic behavior have the potential to serve as an aquatic flagship species to promote conservation of aquatic ecosystems. The primary objective of this portion of the study was to identify river otter latrines on portions of the Snake River, between Flagg Ranch and Jackson Lake, and between Jackson Lake Dam and Pacific Creek, collect river otter scats to determine diet of the river otter, and employ remote cameras to determine activity patterns of the river otters. Between 20 June and 1 July 2015, 26 river otter latrines were identified during shoreline surveys, 186 river otter scats were collected, and cameras were deployed at 6 latrines between 7 July and 24 August 2015. River otter scats have been cleaned and prepared for analysis, but have not all been processed to date. Camera traps recorded 222 images, of which 7% (n = 14) were of carnivores, 70% (n = 155) were of non-carnivore mammals, and 9% (n = 22) were of birds. River otters were detected at 1 of the 6 latrines, a total of 5 independent times during the study.

scholarly journals Tracing the cultural history of upper Snake River guides in Grand Teton National Park

2016 ◽  
Vol 39 ◽  
pp. 108-115
Author(s):  
Yolonda Youngs
Keyword(s):  
World War Ii ◽  
Cultural History ◽  
National Park ◽  
Outdoor Recreation ◽  
The United States ◽  
Snake River ◽  
World War ◽  
Grand Teton National Park ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Impact

This study traces the development and evolution of Snake River use and management through an in-depth exploration of historic commercial scenic river guiding and concessions on the upper Snake River in Grand Teton National Park (GRTE) from 1950 to the present day. The research is based on a combination of methods including archival research, oral history analysis, historical landscape analysis, and fieldwork. I suggest that a distinct cultural community of river runners and outdoor recreationalists developed in Grand Teton National Park after World War II. In GRTE, a combination of physical, cultural, and technical forces shaped this community’s evolution including the specific geomorphology and dynamic channel patterns of the upper Snake River, the individuals and groups that worked on this river, and changes in boat and gear technology over time. The following paper presents the early results from the first year of this project in 2016 including the work of a graduate student and myself. This study offers connections between the upper Snake River and Grand Teton National Park to broader national trends in the evolution of outdoor recreation and concessions in national parks, the impact of World War II on technological developments for boating, and the cultural history of adventure outdoor recreation and tourism in the United States.   Featured photo by Elton Menefee on Unsplash. https://unsplash.com/photos/AHgCFeg-gXg

scholarly journals Ecology of River Otters in Grand Teton National Park

1986 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 92-94
Author(s):  
Joseph Hall
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Activity Cycle ◽  
Grand Teton National Park ◽  
River Otters ◽  
Additional Information

Obtaining additional information on populations, movements, activity patterns and habitat preferences are the main goals of this study. Special efforts were made to try to round out an understanding of the nocturnal phase of an otter's 24-hour activity cycle.

scholarly journals Ecological Study of River Otters in Grand Teton National Park

1982 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 46-51
Author(s):  
Joseph Hall
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Ecological Study ◽  
Distribution Density ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Field Work ◽  
Snake River ◽  
Grand Teton National Park ◽  
River Otters ◽  
And Behavior

The primary goals of the study are to obtain information on the distribution, density, movements, activity patterns and behavior of otters on the Snake River from Jackson Lake Dam to Moose. Most observations were concentrated along the 3.5 mile section from the dam to and including the Oxbow. This report covers field work during the periods of March 7-17 and August 11 - September 25. No otters were seen in March but they were observed for 28 hours during 88 hours afield in August and September. Additionally, Mr. John Turner of Triang1e-X Float Trips and Mr. Dick Barker of Barker-Ewing Float Trips were most cooperative in obtaining sightings of otters made on the river by their parties between Deadman Bar #2 and Moose.

scholarly journals Ecological Study of River Otters in Grand Teton National Park

1984 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 39-41
Author(s):  
Joseph Hall
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
National Park ◽  
Ecological Study ◽  
National Park Service ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Snake River ◽  
River Otters ◽  
The Future ◽  
Park Service

The objectives of this study are to obtain information about habitat preferences, movements, activity patterns, social interactions, distribution and density of otters within the park, primarily on the Snake River between the Jackson Lake Dam and Moose. This type of information is valuable as a basis of comparison with what is known about otters elsewhere and also could guide the National Park Service in altering policies or managing habitats to the benefit of otters, should this be desired in the future.

scholarly journals Social Interactions, Movements and Activity of River Otters in Grand Teton National Park

1985 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 69-70
Author(s):  
Joseph Hall
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
National Park ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Activity Cycle ◽  
Snake River ◽  
Riparian Habitat ◽  
Population Densities ◽  
Behavioral Reactions ◽  
River Otters ◽  
Is Evaluation

There are several goals of the river otter project. One is assessing year-to-year variations in population densities, primarily in the Jackson Lake Dam to Deadman's Bar section of the Snake River. Another is evaluation of habitat preferences on this section. A third objective is documenting behavioral reactions among otters and between otters and other species living in the riparian habitat. Finally, I wish to obtain a picture of the summer activity-cycle on a 24-hour basis.

scholarly journals Behavior of River Otters in the Oxbow Bend Vicinity, Grand Teton National Park

1996 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 50-51
Author(s):  
Joseph Hall
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Field Work ◽  
Snake River ◽  
Grand Teton National Park ◽  
Feeding Sites ◽  
River Otters ◽  
Resting Sites ◽  
Daytime Activity

The 1996 project was a continuation of the study begun in 1995 - to obtain information on movements, sociability, and activity patterns of river otters in the Oxbow region of the Snake River within Grand Teton National Park. Particular emphasis was on nocturnal patterns as documented by automatic cameras activated by buried treadle­switches in places otters were known to frequent, such as latrines, resting sites and feeding sites. Daytime activity was monitored both by the cameras and by routine canoe patrols. Field work was carried out July 5- August 5.

scholarly journals Assessing the Potential of the River Otter to Promote Aquatic Conservation in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem: A Unique Approach for Developing a Long-Term Aquatic Flagship

2014 ◽  
Vol 37 ◽  
pp. 108-113
Author(s):  
Kelly Pearce ◽  
Tom Serfass
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Lontra Canadensis ◽  
Snake River ◽  
Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem ◽  
River Otter ◽  
The Public ◽  
River Otters ◽  
Trout Lake ◽  
Greater Yellowstone

Charismatic “flagship” species are used in many parts of the world to raise public awareness or financial support for conservation, both among local people living in the area and among potential donors living far away. Flagship species can serve as symbols to stimulate conservation awareness and action and have been particularly valuable because of their potential to change citizen behavior, including involvement in conservation and support of fundraising. For a flagship to be successful, however, the target audience and conservation objectives must be established and understood before implementing the concept. Researchers have suggested that a successful flagship should possess traits that endear it to the public, should not be feared or disliked, nor have been used to convey conflicting messages of conservation. Therefore, critical to the flagship approach is understanding attitudes, species preferences, level of wildlife knowledge of people living near and living far away for which support is sought. To determine if the river otter (Lontra canadensis) could be a successful flagship for the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE), we conducted social science surveys with visitors to Grand Teton National Park who participated in guided-raft trips on the Snake River (n = 768), visitors of Oxbow Bend (n = 254), a popular turn-out for viewing aquatic wildlife, and visitors to Trout Lake in Yellowstone National Park (n = 298). Preliminary results showed that familiarity with the river otters is area dependent (e.g., Trout Lake visitors were more familiar with the species than those visiting Oxbow Bend or rafting the Snake River), river otters are not controversial, but education is needed to better inform the public about river otters’ occurrence and ecosystem function in GYE.

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