renal function an osmoregularity in the stellar river otter

The kidneys of the stellar river otter look very similar to the American river otter Lutra Canadensis. This is a multi-lobed kidney which is commonly found in many marine and aquatic mammals. The kidneys are multi-lobed and are fully equipped to remove toxins however they are not specialized for water conservation. Because the stellar river otter lives in a freshwater environment it does not need kidneys adapted for the conservation of water. Water is extremely prevalent in the habitat of the river otter and it has little need to conserve it when there is a river just outside its back door. The river otter also has a large multi-lobed liver, which supports the idea that its body is more adapted to purify toxins than it is to conserve water.