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.

For the otters, Murfree Spring offers much of what they need: water to swim and hunt in, plenty of aquatic life to eat and areas where they can move between the water and surrounding vegetation. And while Murfreesboro may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of river otters, they seem quite at home in this little corner of the city.

Keeping places like Murfree Spring healthy is important for wildlife like river otters. Clean water, healthy vegetation and abundant food sources give them the habitat they need for swimming, hunting and raising their young.

For those who want to help protect that habitat, Outdoor Murfreesboro offers opportunities to get involved in caring for local natural areas, including wetland and river cleanups. Visit outdoormurfreesboro.volunteerlocal.com for volunteer opportunities and more information.

Seeing a family of river otters at Murfree Spring is the kind of wildlife encounter that can make an ordinary afternoon a little more memorable. They are noisy, energetic and endlessly entertaining to watch, and once you’ve seen the “river puppies” in action, it’s easy to understand why they’ve become such a favorite among visitors.