Watch sea otters crack open mussels on stone anvils Inside the dark world of captive wildlife tourism She donated her body to science, and now she'll live forever 0:50. This video by Tom Reynolds shows sea otters first, then river otters. Depending on the location on their body, sea otters can have as many as 170,000-1,000,000 hairs per square inch! The future of many species of Otters has almost been destroyed due to selfishness on the part of humans. Otters have more of a curved form in the water, with most of the body and tail riding just beneath the surface. Sea otters are acclimated to salt water, and come to shore only for occasional rest periods and to give birth. Otters are really, really smart. Man, they know how to have fun. Usually their claws are sharp, but not in sea otters. River otters range from Florida to Qebec on over to California and Kotzebue Sound. Sea Otter. They’re even known to wrap their babies in kelp to keep them safe and warm while they’re off hunting, and as the Marine Mammal Center describes, these pups end up bobbing up and down on the surface of the ocean like little corks! Doctor Snuggles 08 The Remarkable Fidgety River. So when I’m out for a walk, just minding my own business enjoying the fall colours, and something fantastic happens, I tend to kick into explainer mode. Giant otters live on a diet that almost exclusively consists of fishes and crabs. Adult otters measure 35 to 55 inches in length, about one-third of which is tail. Awesome article, thanks! However, we noticed a conundrum that many readers seem to get themselves into. A perfect set of river otters tracks will show the webbing between its toes and the indentations from its nails. The gait of sea otters on land is somewhat clumsy, but river otters can sprint short distances at high speed. River otters are sometimes mistaken for their much larger seagoing cousin, the sea otter (Enhydra lutris, Fig. Their tails are short and not as muscular as river otters. While members of both otter subtypes love to swim, the swimming behaviors they engage in are quite distinct. Fluffy fur and husky profile. Otter Madness. We have been seeing them (or one of them, can’t be sure) on the shore of Seneca Lake, of the Finger Lakes, New York. Love your writing style. We receive no government funding, and depend solely on financial support from our friends. 0:37. The habits and methods of eating differ by species as well. The more diverse river otters live primarily in freshwater rivers and streams, but are also found in coastal saltwater areas. The differences will become obvious! Unlike their river otter cousins, sea otters spend almost their entire lives in the water, rarely coming onto dry land. They are in the same subfamily Lutridae. River otters tend to be solitary and fairly territorial. On average, river otters have two to three pups per litter with the pups going off on their own after about six months to a year. With the help of donors like you, Ocean Conservancy is developing innovative solutions to save our ocean. "After patiently waiting by their lagoon, the whole family came out to play and hunt. Eventually, four of them swam off down the shore, and a few minutes later, Tom and I saw a bunch of people gathered at the edge of the sea wall, clearly interested in something. As I filmed, I listened to the people’s reactions: “Oh look! A sea otter! Sea otters aren’t only heftier than river otters—their fur is also quite distinguishable. The back paws are slightly larger than the front. Sea otters’ have the densest fur in the entire animal kingdom with up to one million hairs covering each square inch of their body. Female otters in the California region can weigh up to 60 pounds, while males can weigh up to 90 pounds. It prefers to dine on fish, but also eats crayfish, and occasionally small mammals and birds. The two-month-old was found near a bald eagle that was scavaging the carcass of an adult otter. Also look for a thick, long drag mark behind the tracks made by the otter’s tail. With their sweet appearance and playful nature, it may seem impossible that otters are dangerous. Avoidance is a very significant factor in river otter social behavior. River otters also reach sexual maturity earlier and are typically able to reproduce sooner than sea otters. 2). Mihaifrancu. They are 95% aquatic and spend pretty much their entire lives in kelp beds just off the sea shore a kilometre or two. It is the longest member of the weasel family, Mustelidae, a globally successful group of predators, reaching up to 1.7 metres (5.6 ft).Atypical of mustelids, the giant otter is a social species, with family groups typically supporting three to eight members. Mobile alerts from Ocean Conservancy. Identification. At the same time, the Sea Otter is the largest member of its family, the mustelids, which includes River Otters, weasels, badgers, wolverines and martens. Slides. They have enormous back flippers, and often swim on their backs with their big flippers sticking out of the water. Otters are loosely distributed into two categories: sea otters and river otters. The River Otter Ecology Project is a registered 501 (c)(3) EIN #45-4997526 non-profit organization dedicated to the welfare of river otters and our watershed. With the help of donors like you, Ocean Conservancy is developing solutions to save our ocean. From their curious faces to their charming behaviors, the otters of the world have earned the title of many nature lovers’ favorite creatures. Get monthly (ish) updates via email from Don Enright. Otters vs Beavers. I really enjoyed this. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Almost never found on land. Text STOP to 69866 to stop receiving messages. They have long, narrow bodies, with long tails and short legs. Sea otters only exist in oceanic environments. what is the diffrence between otters and groundhogs i live by lake erie and i see these things and my dad thinks there ground hogs i think there otters whats the diffrence how do i tell if its a otter and how do i prove it i mean its by lake erie so im guessing its a otter not a ground hog These two different animals have their key differences, but one thing is for sure: they’re all still otterly loveable wildlife all the same! The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) is a semiaquatic mammal in the weasel family.While it may simply be called the "river otter" in North America (to distinguish it from the sea otter) there are other river otter species throughout the world. Abie Alcee. Our ocean faces many threats like the onslaught of ocean trash, overfishing and ocean acidification. But instead, I held back and listened to the conversation, thinking back to ten years ago or so when I first saw river otters in the ocean. Some species are solitary, but others are social and living in groups. The differences will become obvious! I never sell or share my lists. It’s without a doubt that otters are some of the most adorable mammals to ever grace the planet. Additionally, sea otters spend the vast majority of their lives in the water, while river otters spend most of theirs on land, venturing into the water for tasks like hunting for food and traveling. I write about interpretation and visitor experience. Sorry, but we failed to add you to the list. Sea otters are mainly native to the northeastern seaboards of the Pacific Ocean, so they aren’t spotted in areas like the East Coast or the Gulf of Mexico. Long, serpentine tail. ... sea otter pup floats on its back. If you spot an otter in the Chesapeake Bay, it’s a river otter, whereas if you spot one in Monterey Bay (especially in the water), the chances are high that it’s a sea otter. Found in both saltwater and freshwater, a river otter lounges around riverbanks and swims with its belly down, keeping the majority of its body submerged below the water. We know it can get otterly confusing to differentiate the species, so here are five ways to tell them apart! River otters are typically about one-quarter the size of sea otters, and they have tails that are longer and more rounded. Sea otters: Dark brown with a much lighter head. Like the other mustelids, river otters have long slender bodies with short legs. Otters have five toes and the heel pad tends to be somewhat horseshoe shaped. This article will refer to the twelve species of river otter, information about sea otters can be viewed here.Read on to learn about the otter. The semi-aquatic river otter spends about 75% of its time on land and 25% in the water. Amazing as we are over a mile from the ocean. The sea otter is a mammal of the weasel family well adapted for sea life. Preferably on one's lawn furniture or open garage? Photo: River otter or sea otter? It may seem obvious, but if all else fails—the fastest way to tell what type of otter you’re observing is to examine its environment. It is known for its highly desirable fur. Finally, river otters can dive to around 60 feet deep, whereas sea otters, remarkably, can dive to several hundred feet to forage for food. An otter is any of the 13 living species of semiaquatic or aquatic mammals. Use these clues to help you decide: Is it a river otter or a sea otter? If you travel further north to areas like the Alaskan seaboard, you could even find males weighing up to 100 pounds! Sea otters, conversely, are found only in salt water and rarely go on land. River Otter (Lutra canadensis) Description The otter is the largest member of the weasel family (Mustelidae) found in South Carolina. While the females are similarly much smaller than the males at 10-20 pounds, male river otters only reach a maximum size of around 30 pounds. Newsflare. Wild Kratts. Suitable habitat for river otters is any wetland that provides adjacent bank vegetation, burrow sites, and a food supply. River otters: Dark brown. Are both types of otters in the same family? Here it tucks into a seafood buffet while lurking beneath a bridge. StoryfulNews. Msg & data rates may apply. You know, they really appear to love everything they do. River otters keep their young safe by their side and in dens that they build on riverbanks, while sea otter moms typically keep their pups nestled on their stomachs as they float until they are old enough to swim on their own. River otters: Dark brown. Almost always swim in a dog paddle, almost never swim on their backs. Your email address will not be published. As a biologist with the U.S. THIS WAS ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE!!! Don't know if you know or not but Calgary has had a pair born. My name is Don Enright. Thanks for signing up for Ocean Conservancy emails. Run easily on land. Almost always swim in a dog paddle, almost never swim on their backs. Otters can also eat birds, rabbits and other rodents. The otter is a member of the order Carnivora. Sea otters are about twice the weight of their riverine cousins, making them much bigger and bulkier. So glad he made it in there. In order to withstand the cold water in which they live, sea otters have the greatest density of fur of any mammal. The webbing on the otter track left a clear imprint here. The River Otter Ecology Project is a registered 501 (c)(3) EIN #45-4997526 non-profit organization dedicated to the welfare of river otters and our watershed. The two types of otter are similar in appearance, both with thick coats and … There is still hope that one day humans and Otters will be able to live in harmony. As their name suggests, sea otters live mainly near the sea, spending most of their time in the water. 1:39. The river otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur. Otter spraints are messy smudges with a distinct, not unpleasant smell, and contain bones and fish scale remains. An adult North American river otter can weigh between 5.0 and 14 kg (11.0 and 30.9 lb). River vs. Sea Otter Baculum This is a comparison of the small river otter baculum with the larger sea otter baculum. Thanks! Learn how your comment data is processed. I'll be integrating your little tid bits into the Beavers and Otters walk I'm doing this Sunday in Stanley Park. Most of you are probably familiar with the cute and fuzzy sea otters of the West Coast of the US, but the river otter of the Eastern seaboard and inland spaces is sleek and fun too.