Apex Predator in the NW Conference

It could be easy to dismiss the playful, cooperative, and ridiculously cute river otter as a mascot worthy of serious athletic competition. But behind that cuddly exterior, the river otter has a hidden fierce side that stacks up to the competition in the NCAA Northwest Conference.

Northwest Conference schools are represented by Bruins (George Fox), Wildcats (Linfield), Lutes (Pacific Lutheran), Loggers (University of Puget Sound), The Blues (Whitman), Pirates (Whitworth), and Bearcats (Willamette). There is no definitive way to determine who would triumph in a conference mascot matchup, but there are plenty of reasons to put your money on the River Otters.

River otters are swift swimmers (8 miles per hour) and deep divers (up to 36 feet), with nonretractable claws that are always ready to attack. Their teeth are designed for grinding and crushing, and they can emit a scream that can be heard for 1.5 miles across the water. They are aquatic apex predators who have been known to take down crocodiles. If they can’t physically dominate their opponents, they can outwit them thanks to their penchant for teamwork, collaboration, and mischief. Go, Otts!

River otters are native to Oregon, and they have been spotted by our crew team during practices on the Willamette River. While river otters are closely related to sea otters, the two have a number of important differences in appearance and behavior. The Elakha Alliance, a group working to restore the sea otter population on Oregon’s coast, has a helpful graphic illustrating the key differences between river and sea otters.