For a place tucked into the middle of Murfreesboro, Murfree Spring Wetlands can offer some surprisingly wild encounters. Among the wetlands’ abundance of wildlife, the river otters are a particular favorite, with visitors often hoping to catch a glimpse of the “river puppies” as they swim and hunt the waterways.
North American river otters are built for life in the water. They have long, streamlined bodies, webbed feet and thick, water-resistant fur that help them swim and stay warm. They spend much of their time in and around rivers, streams and wetlands, where they hunt for fish, crayfish, frogs and other small aquatic animals.
Photos by Ashleigh Newnes
Their playful behavior is part of what makes them so fun to watch. Watching them is rarely a quiet affair; they splash, dive, chase one another, and enthusiastically go about the business of finding and eating their next meal. There’s something almost comical about watching them at work…