Charismatic otters are the largest members of the weasel family. To be fair, the vast majority 77 percent of the attacks the researchers analyzed involved North American river otters, and none appear to have involved sea otters. Wisconsin River Otter Name: River Otters Scientific Name: Lutra canadensis Measurements: length: 2-4ft, weight: 44-82lbs, tail length: 1-1.5ft Habitat: anywhere near water In particular, it is well known that sea otters will, As a result, if you ever find yourself in proximity to an otter (river or sea), back off. Thirteen otter species slide down riverbanks, juggle rocks, and float on their backs in watersheds on five continents. Otters are very social creatures. Yes, youve read that right. Sea otters live exclusively in the ocean along coastlines. These otters have brown-to-gray fur, and their undersides are a lighter, silvery . Rock juggling doesn't improve hunting skills or efficient extraction of meat from shells. KQED. 42 Horrifying Human Body Facts We Wish We Never Learned 12, no. International Otter Survival Fund. They get their needed water and sustenance from eating eucalyptus leaves. I've discovered it improves your ability to focus, it's more calming, you retain more information, and it gives you a more balanced and nuanced view of the world." #16. Scientists hypothesize that these seemingly counterproductive mating habits might be the result of a population imbalance. However, if these individuals exhibit aggressive mating behavior, it can lead to harm or even death of the existing population and further threaten the species survival. Their fur is super dense. Thirteen otter species slide down riverbanks, juggle rocks, and float on their backs in watersheds on five continents. They bite their female partner's face during copulation to keep her from slipping away, leaving her with substantial facial wounds. Unlike other weasels, otters are semi-aquatic. Female otters are sows, and males are boars. This may not surprise those who know the animal well, but its important to note that otters are carnivores. This means. They have visible ears, swim belly down, use webbed feet to paddle, and move swiftly on land and water. Otters are often elusive, with large ranges and nocturnal behaviour making spotting them a rare and wonderful experience. Only the North American River Otter has been classified as having a stable population . As a result, if you ever find yourself in proximity to an otter (river or sea), back off. The golden poison dart frog (Phyllobates . Approximately that brutal. She is the author of "The Ethiopian Wolf: Hope at the Edge of Extinction. In addition to their unexpected ferocity when defending their territory, they also exhibit unique territorial behavior. They are also nocturnal and hunt at night. When food is hard to obtain, sea otter mothers will abandon their young and leave them to starve to death. Otters have as many as 2.6 million hairs per square inch. . It was thought that otters helped keep water purified by eating already dead creatures that might contaminate the water source if they were allowed to rot. Wild Explained is the go-to source for all things related to wildlife. A trapping license and open season are required to trap river otters. Young pups are born helpless, and remain in the . 12 Facts About Otters for Sea Otter Awareness Week Otter "holts" are small underground dens where otters escape danger, take shelter, or raise their young. They involve the reintroduction of captive-bred adult otters into carefully selected and monitored habitats that offer suitable conditions such as prey availability, the presence of suitable dens for accommodation, predator presence, and levels of toxic pollutants. These otters seem to love peat swamp forests, especially those with Melaleuca, the swamp tea-tree. Their nostrils and ears close to keep water out, and waterproof fur keeps them warm. Stephens, Tim. - Diving into the Science! Yes, as they build their dens, they can cause significant changes to their environment. This pace is three times faster than the average human swimmer. They are skilled hunters and feed on a variety of prey, including fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. There are 13 species in total, ranging from the small-clawed otter to the giant otter. As the sea otter thrust his pelvis, his penis was extruded and intromission was observed. Most are small, with short ears and noses, elongated bodies, long tails, and. Creating activities such as beach cleanups or nature walks where there might be an opportunity for an encounter with this species can help pique peoples interest in helping protect their habitat from further degradation. Otters have long been admired for their playful antics and endearing appearance. Otter pups have so much air trapped in there, they actually cant dive under water, even if they want to. That's why we keep our work free. The cutest animals in the world are evil Here's what you need to know about these terrible animals, and why you should fear and hate them. Males, in particular, are known to take a female otters food by threatening to kill her baby. But don't be deceived by the holding of hands and cheek rubbing sighted in photos used for posters, memes, and throw pillows, otters are still wild animals and can be harmful. Lets end this on a somewhat less disturbing note! Legend has it they save human lives on occasion: But there comes a point at which rational people have to put adorable hijinks aside and recognize otters for what they are: disease-ridden, murderous, necrophilic aqua-weasels whose treachery knows few bounds. Sea otters have an ingenious method to open shellfish. Otters reach swim speeds of up to 7 miles per hour. River otters are frequently mistaken for sea otters. Pennsylvania Game Commission. Inside South Africas skeleton trade. If you thought that otters, like beavers, eat a plant-based diet, you are mistaken. These efforts include re-introduction programs aimed at bringing them back to their native habitats and increasing their numbers in the wild. It was thought that otters helped keep water purified by. They hold each others's hands. Otters have been known to guard and have sex with the bodies of their victims for up to seven days after they've died. This means you cant distinguish between healthy and infected otters, making them even more dangerous. For whatever reason, Pokmon Sun and Moon seem to have the most depressing Pokdex entries to date, and Komala is no exception: it's simply never awake, Sun tells us . River otters have many interesting qualities and adaptations that make them wonderful entertainment. By understanding the less endearing aspects of otter behavior, we can better appreciate the full spectrum of their existence and develop more effective conservation strategies. Now, just because an animal is a carnivore doesnt mean its evil, right? They also take over the riverbank dens of foxes, badgers, and rabbits. Life becomes very difficult for female otters when nurturing young pups. Furthermore, the potential for disease transmission among otters and other species can complicate conservation efforts. Unmasking the Dark Side of Otters: Surprising and Disturbing Facts. The sea otter and pup rolled violently in the water for approximately 15 min, while the pup struggled to free itself from the sea otters grasp. This ancient marvel rivaled Romes intricate network of roads, For some long COVID patients, exercise is bad medicine, Radioactive dogs? While these modifications are essential for otter survival, they can have negative consequences for other species that rely on the same habitat. At six months, the pups are released back into the wild with generally strong results. One of the most disturbing facts about otters is their status on the endangered species act list. Even if that means keeping others pups as hostages. Yes, they live in intricate social structures, with a distinct hierarchy that dictates their interactions. Male sea otters typically grasp the female from behind and bite her face, and this rough. Experts estimate that fewer than 8,000 exist. The male forced the pup under water as if trying to drown it. A 2010 paper talked about 19 cases, including a particularly gruesome instance where a sea otter bit a pup's face, held it underwater, and copulated with it for over an hour until it died. They rape baby seals and hold each others pups hostage for food. Otters impact on fisheries is a contentious issue that has led to tensions between conservationists and fishing communities. Re-introduction attempts have been successful and have seen promising outcomes in terms of species survival, population growth, and overall improved environmental quality. As otters build their dens, they can cause significant changes to their environment. Ocean Conservancy. Clean fluffy fur keeps them warm and traps air, which allows them to float. Sea Otters Do Terrible Things To Baby Seals - The Awl The forceful mating practices of otters also have implications for conservation efforts. Strange as it may seem, mating is a relatively common cause of death for female sea otters as well. In Alaska's Aleutian Islands, the species has seen a marked decline since the 1980s. And since otters have superb metabolisms and can easily eat up to 15 percent of their body weight each day, there's a lot of spraint to go around. A version of this story originally ran in 2015. The playful North American river otter is equally at home in the water and on land. Dolphins Only the North American river otter is a species of least concern. In areas where otter populations are declining, conservationists may attempt to introduce new individuals to bolster the population. Not so cute anymore, are they? Its thought to get its special odor, which some scientists describe as smelling like violets, from the seafood diet otters eat. "Energy Demands of Raising a Pup Push Sea Otter Moms to the Limit." Nope, they are horrific menaces to other species. Therefore, they are big on tools and will often use rocks to help crack into dinner. As the sea otter thrust his pelvis, his penis was extruded and intromission was observed. 2, 2005, pp. They then leave droppings called spraints, which refer to a single bowel evacuation and that researchers describe as smelling like violets. In the downtime, though, otters love to play and will often build themselves slides along the banks of rivers. Otters are adorable and cute creatures that love to play and swim together. Otters also excrete something called anal jelly that contains secretions from anal glands and shed intestinal linings. Every animal on Earth (including humans) has learned to adapt to its environment, which means sometimes having to make difficult (or gross) choices to survive. In such cases, medical attention is necessary to prevent infection and ensure proper wound healing. On Nov. 25, 2019, comedian . You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. The charismatic otter, a member of the weasel family, is found on every continent except Australia and Antarctica. This ancient religion considered otters to be the dogs of the river or sea and had strict rules forbidding the killing of otters. Sea otters, unlike other marine mammals, do not have a . When faced with a threat, they wont hesitate to use their powerful teeth and strong jaws to inflict serious injury. All. 15 Fascinating Facts About Otters European otters must eat 15% of their body weight each day, and sea otters 20 to 25%, depending on the temperature. 12 Cool Animals That Crawl (Crawl Speed & Pictures), What Eats Leopards (Top 5 Leopard Predators), Are Lions Smart? Otters guide: how to identify and species facts | BBC Wildlife Magazine All otters have webbed feet to help propel them through the water, and most species . "Sea Otters." "The saving of the sea otter," writes Glenn Vanblaricom of the University of Washington in his book on the animal, "is indeed one of the great success stories in marine conservation.". Curious to learn more? 1. Otters are mammals of the subfamily Lutrinae, one of two subfamilies contained within the family Mustelidae. In particular, it is well known that sea otters will force themselves on baby seals. A river otter has an average weight of 20 pounds and is 4 feet long, while a sea otter weighs 70-80 pounds and is 6 feet long. Here's Harris again: Copulation normally occurs in the water where the male sea otter will approach the female from behind, grip her around the chest with his forepaws, and grasp her nose or the side of her face with his teeth.Facial biting by the male commonly results in the development of skin and soft tissue lacerations of the female's nose and face that can occasionally be fatal.The problem is worse for females, of course, but younger males often mimic mating behavior with each other, which can cause similar injuries.

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