Do You Know About Mackinac Island’s Otter Families?

I know Michigan has a wide ecosystem, and any number of animals could be found here. I learned there are species of Crawfish native to Michigan, there are even jellyfish that live in the lakes. And if you're in the Upper Peninsula, expect to see some wolves and even moose.

But Otters? I had no idea that Michigan had a species of otter that live here. AND, that some of them can ONLY be found on an island we are all VERY familiar with!

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Otters In Michigan

The species of Otter found in Michigan are of course, adorable. They're the North American River Otter, and can be found all along the rivers and tributaries through MOST of Canada, the Pacific Northwest, parts of southern Alaska, up and down the Mississippi River, and all along the Atlantic coast, and into part of the Gulf of Mexico.

But maybe most interestingly are the otters found around the Great Lakes, and in Michigan.

Of course, there are a lot of rivers for them to thrive in around the area, and plenty of food for them to eat as well, including those species of crawfish I mentioned.

So now that we knew about otters in Michigan, let's talk about the otters that might be the most surprising... on Mackinac Island.

Mackinac Island Otters

Back in 2014, a photographer posted photos of three otters lounging on some snow on one of the docks on Mackinac Island. Initially, people didn't believe they were otters, and thought maybe they might be minks.

Turns out, no, and the Mackinac locals backed up the claim, and confirmed that otters have found their way across the Straits and made a home on the tourist island. They claim the otters adjusted by living under barns, or other isolated buildings away from the rocky shore.

Though, they do still make their way out into open waters occasionally, which is where all the "good" fish are, of course.

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