When I first heard about the behavior from a marine biologist friend of mine, I didnt quite believe sea otters could be so diabolical. These animals use both fur and blubber to keep warm, and that is one of many ways to differentiate between true seals and others. The largest river otters weigh in at around thirty pounds. However, when you add seals that arent true seals to the mix, the presence of ears can be a confounding factor. They average around 2 feet in length and weigh around 10 pounds. The naturalistic fallacy refers to the misguided belief that whatever is natural is good. Elsewhere in Slate, read Jessica Winters essay about her dying cat, an excerpt from Jon Katzs new book about a Rottweiler in need of rescuing, and Jason Bittels thorough investigation into bat sex. What makes each species unique, and what are the signs that make each one recognizable? The North American River otter is classified as Least Concern meaning they have safe population stability as of today. In this article, we will address all of these differences in detail, including their physicality and social behavior. Although seals and otters are often believed to be related, the truth is that they belong to completely different families. Seals and otters are easy to tell apart if you know where to look. There seems to be no crime too low for these penguins, he confided to his journal. The reason for this skew in the population is unclear, but it leaves male sea otters in a bind. Which would you like to know more about? River otters are smaller than sea otters in both length and weight. They include; walrus, eared seals, sea lions, fur seals, and earless seals. Together, we create evidence-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. A sea otter also has a shorter tail than a river otter, and river otters are narrower in their body mass. When I'm not writing personally or professionally, you can find me camping along the Oregon coast with my high school sweetheart and Chihuahua mix, or in my home kitchen, perfecting recipes in a gleaming cast iron skillet. Travailleur Autonome Gestion michigan department of corrections directory; Otter and seals belong to different families. They are both weasel family members, as evident by their long, slender bodies. (In the concluding paragraphs of On the Origin of Species, he observed that this view of life contains grandeur and horror alike.) Not only do these two creatures have different habitats, but they have both evolved fur to best suit those habitats. Although seals and otters are often believed to be related, the truth is that they belong to completely different . Youll have a very simple time determining if you are looking at an otter from a true seal with one or two of those factors. Although both seals and otters come in various sizes due to their many species, seals are almost always larger than otters. Who will make it to the next round for a chance at a feature story? What sea otters, dolphins, and penguins sometimes do to one another in their attempts to mate can make us feel queasy, but this is just one sort of animal behaviors that have been unsettling us since the Victorian era. hold hands with other otters so they dont drift apart, Watch Five Giant River Otters Face-Off Against a Huge Jaguar, Watch a Group of Massive River Otters Defeat a Crocodile in Vicious Battle, Weight: 10lbs-99lbs Length: 2ft-6ft, Blubber deposits under the skin keep true seals warm, -Dense fur that has two layers, guard hairs, and insulating underfur, Spend equal amounts of time on land and in the water, Spend the vast majority of their time in the water. This results in river otters having short, sleek fur, while sea otters have long, fuzzy fur. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If they cant keep them on their stomachs for some reason like if they are hunting, scientists have witnessed sea otters wrapping their young in kelp to keep them afloat while the mothers seek food. : Feed on crabs, clams, mussels, sea urchins, and abalone. 5 Honest Difference Between Mouse Poop and Rat Poop with Similarities, 10 Difference Between Dog and Fox (With Table), 5 Difference Between Bed Bugs and Scabies with Similarities, 15 Differences Between Plant Cell and Animal Cell, https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/what-uc-santa-cruz-learning-about-otters, 7 Difference between Lice and Ticks (With Table), 9 Difference between Leopard and Snow Leopard (With Table), 10 Difference between Hippopotamus and Rhinoceros (With Table), 5 Difference between Farm-Raised and Wild Salmon (With Table), 7 Difference between Earthworm and Leech (With Table). Plus, their overall diets, lifespans, and locations differ from one another, not to mention how different they are in appearance! Sea otters spend the majority of their time in the ocean, while river otters spend their lives on land unless they need to hunt or travel elsewhere. Asian Small-Clawed Otters have a classification of Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List while Sea and Giant Otters are listed as Endangered as of today. 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. If you travel further north to areas like the Alaskan seaboard, you could even find males weighing up to 100 pounds! In addition, sea otters tend to live in small to large familial groups, but river otters, especially males, are more territorial, and while they will be social, they prefer solitary lives or in small family groups. unit 3: personal and business finance grade boundaries. Charming, outgoing, and intelligent, otters are part of the Mustelids family and in the Lutrinae subfamily. In addition to the sea otter being significantly bigger than the river otter, they also have different mating and parenting habits. While sea otters and river otters share many differences, they do share a major similarity the threats they face in the wild. Not to worry, friends. Taxonomically speaking, river otters and sea otters are different genera. I've written in a variety of niches such as video games, animals, and managed service providers. We shouldnt draw the curtains over the aspects of animal behavior that make us cringe, as Levick did when he coded some of his Adlie penguin notes in Greek and ultimately decided not to publish his findings. Sure, dolphins may now and then help fishermen looking to snag fish, but dolphins intelligence and social complexity have endowed them with a suite of behaviors that make them seem less adorable than their carefully-groomed theme park images suggest. The sea otters legs arent made for walking, like river otters are, but for constant swimming. Penguin: There are a lot of different types of penguins, and climate change is affecting all of them. They feed on fish and shellfish. They average a length of 5 feet and weigh about 150 pounds. Sea otters will be in the sea, river otters will be in the river. While floating on their backs, sea otters not only nap, but also use rocks to help them . River otters will achieve maturity between the ages of two and three, while female sea otters mature between ages three and five, and males even later between ages five and seven. Sea otters carry their young on their stomachs to keep them safe until they are ready to swim by themselves. Learn how to tell them apart quickly and easily! Sea otters must groom regularly to help maintain the insulation. They are found in Eastern North and Northern Pacific Ocean. Sea otters have the densest fur in the entire animal kingdom with up to one million hairs covering each square inch of their body. These are the major differences between seals and otters, and their unique qualities become even more prominent when you look closer at these two creatures. While a southern sea otters fur maintains heat well in the cold water, their metabolism must work quickly to help keep the animal warm. They are also known as fin-footed mammals. Inside pregnant sand tiger sharks, for example, the first embryo to grow large enough rapidly devours all the other unborn sharks in its shared womb. Lets take a look and some similarities, and differences, between these two amazingly fascinating animals! Asian small-clawed otters have relatively short hair that consists of two layers a coarse, waterproof outer coat and a softer, finer layer that is used for warmth. African penguins are declining in part due to fluctuations in water temperature and increased storms on their breeding grounds. The sea otter we know is quite a bit larger in stature than the average river otter, the largest adults weighing up to 100lbs, heavier even than the largest river otter, the Giant otter (Pteroneura brasiliensis). At least two of the sea otters had been previously held at the Monterey Bay Aquarium as part of their rehabilitation program for stranded and injured otters. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. To meet the wonderful sloths that call SeaQuest home, book your visit today at any of the following locations: Utah, Las Vegas, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Sacramento, Minneapolis, Connecticut, Lynchburg, New Jersey, and Atlanta. The Mustelidae family is very unique and encompasses about 70 different species of animals including otters, wolverines, badgers, and more. While they are both otters, river otters belong to the Lontra genus, while sea otters belong to the Enhydra genus. A river otter mother usually has between two and three babies, called pups. Sea otters typically give birth to only one pup, and care for their young until they become independent around eight months to one year old. again or contact 1.888.780.6763. Thus, an otter is more closely related to a wolverine than it is to a seal. Otters mainly feed on invertebrates while seals mainly feed on fish. To meet the wonderful sloths that call SeaQuest home, book your visit today at any of the following locations: Best Birthday Party Places in Fort Worth! Male seals can grow up to 6 feet in length and weigh up to 600 pounds, while otters are much smaller and typically reach up to 3 feet long and weigh between 10 and 20 pounds. Sea otters must eat 20-25% of their body weight to maintain their body temperature. Plus, visit our Arctic fox and see how his coat changes throughout the year. Your best bet for differentiating these animals is to look for their ears, flippers, tails, size, and fur. All rights reserved. The majority of river otters mate with multiple otters throughout the course of their lives, and they may have multiple litters in a year. Answer: I can only speak about North American otters, of which there are two species: * Enhydra lutris - Generally called a "Sea Otter". River otters, despite their name, can be found in fresh and salt water. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The American Oceans Campaign is dedicated primarily to the restoration, protection, and preservation of the health and vitality of coastal waters, estuaries, bays, wetlands, and oceans. Whether youre sailing the coast of the Pacific Northwest or hiking the riverbanks of West Virginia, you now have the tools to tell the difference between river otters and sea otters. Some river otters can be found in wetlands and lakes. Seals are larger than otters on average, and the largest members of the species make otters look positively tiny. Since river otters are much smaller, they are more prone to predators. Many of, Crocodiles are among the most terrifying animals of all time. A post shared by (@seaotter_03112602). The salty crew of Deep Sea News has been trying to counteract the cuddly image of dolphins for years. Sea Otters are a larger species of otter. Otters are one of the most fascinating and charismatic marine mammal species. The average lifespan of a sea otter is twelve to fifteen years in the wild, but the average lifespan of a river otter is only nine to twelve years. North American River Otters weigh between 10 pounds to 25 pounds and grow up to 3 feet in length. Now, however, its differentthere is too little sea ice, which is impacting the food supply. From their curious faces to their charming behaviors, the otters of the world have earned the title of many nature lovers favorite creatures. Get Out Your Green & Gold! When I'm not working, I enjoy playing video games, reading, and writing for fun. Southern sea otters are considered an endangered species, while Asian small-clawed otters are vulnerable. The marine otter simply lives near the ocean, diving in only to feed. Levick was aghast because he viewed the penguins in human termsas little gents and dames dressed to the nines. These two different animals have their key differences, but one thing is for sure: theyre all still otterly loveable wildlife all the same! River otters build dens on the riverbanks and care for their young there. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. According to the IUCN, this can make it hard for otters to meet their high metabolic needs, leading to malnutrition or starvation.. Many species of river otter inhabit coastal areas and are sometimes confused for sea otters. However, sea otters are only found in salt water and very rarely make their way onto land. The victims that were necropsied by veterinarians had lesions around the nose, eyes, flippers, and genitals, including perforations in the vaginal and rectal tracts. This is primarily due to the difference in habitat, but sea otters and river otters have different diets. The Asian small-clawed otter's tail is long, with a sharp end. The guard hairs can be brown to black to silver. If dolphins really disappeared tomorrow, as in the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy series, I think their final message would be Screw You rather than the So Long, And Thanks for All the Fish farewell Douglas Adams imagined. They can grow up to 4 feet and weigh up to 70 pounds. * {{quote-news, year=2013, date=April 9, author=Andrei Lankov, title=Stay Cool. Sea otters are larger than river otters. The most famous in the United States, the California seal lion can be found all along the West coast of North America. It may seem obvious, but if all else failsthe fastest way to tell what type of otter youre observing is to examine its environment. again or contact 1.888.780.6763, Learning From and Standing With Climate Justice Communities, Senior Policy Analyst, Fish Conservation Program, Sorry, but we failed to add you to the list. They give birth on the land. The Caribbean monk seal was declared. Sea otters have an average lifespan of 12-15 years in the wild while river otters live an average of 9-12 years. Sea otters are bigger and thus have larger feet than river otters. I am a non-binary freelance writer working full-time in Oregon. Why are these male sea otters killing seals? There are 13 species of otters in the world, with 12 of those species requiring access to freshwater and only one species residing in the ocean. As 2022 comes to a close, I am reflecting on everything weve accomplished together on behalf, Climate change touches many aspects of our lives, including the food on our plates. Contact Us Natural represents the world as it should besomething we feel estranged from and strive to get back. Their slow, quiet and sudden way. The Northern fur seal and Nooded seal are vulnerable. Seahorse: Last time we talked about seahorses, we mentioned their fragile coastal ecosystemscoral reefs and mangroves, for instance, are especially vulnerable to disturbances brought on by warming ocean temperatures, ocean acidification, and increased flooding. I graduated from Rowan University in 2014 with degrees in English and Education. The identity of a pair of repeat offenders held a clue. We focus on how to be proactive in finding solutions. Not only is this useful for staying together, but it also keeps them away from the shore where many of their predators reside. Seals are larger than otters, weighing a lot more than them and growing much longer. A final difference between a river otter vs sea otter lies in their social behaviors and mating habits. Male sea otters can weigh up to 99 pounds, while female sea otters typically weigh around 44 pounds. Otters are mammals in the Mustelidae family. (Major seas are known as oceans.) At Arctic Tundra we've created a habitat just like the grassy tundra near Point Hope, Alaska - and filled it with massive muskoxen. Less like Flipper and more like the megalomaniacal King Snorky of The Simpsons, a dolphin has a permanent smile that gives off a decidedly creepy vibe. The sea otter is the largest member of the weasel family. The webbed feet of a sea otter. Levick recorded these behaviors as aberrations from the norm of nature. Seeing a dolphin at sea should be just as chilling as how many people feel when they see the sinuous silhouette of a shark. Thats quite the size difference! Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. They spend their lives in water, and have many adaptations to their entirely aquatic lifestyle. They are very different from other mammals that share the seals name or lineage. River otters tend to eat frogs, fish, crayfish, reptiles, and birds. While it may be obvious, river otters are found in rivers while sea otters are found in the sea. The dark sides of otters, dolphins, and penguins are just as much a part of their nature as the parts we find so squee-inducingly adorable. Ocean Conservancy, International Coastal Cleanup, Trash Free Seas, Trash Free Seas Alliance, Global Ghost Gear Initiative, Urban Ocean and Clean Swell are registered trademarks of Ocean Conservancy. These carnivorous mammals inhabit fresh and saltwater rivers. difference between sea otter and penguinups insurance cost calculator. Thank you for reading! Did You Know. At Georgia Aquarium, guests can see our southern sea otters in ourCold Water Questgallery and our Asian small-clawed otters in ourSouthern Company River Scoutgallery. difference between sea otter and penguin. This makes them very different animals, especially when you consider the fact that sea otters are the only members of their genus. The sentiments about proper human behavior were impressed upon the penguins, and vice versa. However, we noticed a conundrum that many readers seem to get themselves into. Lets dive in and get started! SeaQuest is committed to protecting our worlds oceans and endangered animals. They are comparatively smaller in body size. Sea otters are generally diurnal. If youre on a river in the middle of the North American continent, far away from any seaboard: its a river otter. Greetings From the Vortex of Unpredictability, rapidly devours all the other unborn sharks, feathery, fluffy dinosaurs killed the brontosaurus. Vote below. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. And amorous males of various species, including the noble lion, kill infants to make their mothers available for breeding again.
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