2.12.12 The River otter commutes between bodies of water via overland routes as well as through streams. The otter I've been tracking for several years bounds along, sliding on its stomach, both uphill and down. For the last 3 years, it has constructed a new den annually in the bank at the edge of a pond. Muddy tracks lead from the open edge of the pond to the 8-inch opening to its den. It leaves the den to use its latrine nearby. The slide pictured was made earlier this winter, but without new snow, it has remained a frozen record of its travels.