River otters build dens on the riverbanks and care for their young there. Their gestation period is between 60 to 86 days. Thats quite the size difference! In addition to this, once you know the fundamentals of what to look for, its quite easy to differentiate whether or not an otter is a sea otter or a river otter one is large and fluffy and the other is small and streamlined. 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. There are over 70 different species of cetacean. The Difference Between Asian Small-Clawed Otters And Sea Otters In addition to the difference in fur, river otters and sea otters have other differences in appearance. Learn more. These aquatic mammals split their time between the land and the water. Male sea otters typically grasp the female from behind and bite her face, and this rough behavior was associated with the deaths of about 11 percent of dead sea otters discovered between 2000 and 2003. Their diets are reminiscent of their environments. When you click and buy we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. About Us Though they may look similar, there are distinct differences between the two. Otters are smaller while seals are comparatively large when it comes to body size. For example, sea lions are sometimes believed to be seals, but that is not the case. Another interesting tidbit about penguins is that 15,000 years ago, they were actually able to tolerate a warming climate. Fur seals are not members of Phocidae, and they are not true seals either. 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. Lastly, seals use blubber under their thick skin to keep them warm when they spend time in the water, but otters have dense, two-layered fur that keeps them insulated. Many people may not know this, but sea otters are much larger than river otters. The ordeal must have been horrific for the seals. First, sea otters are two to three times the size of river otters and, when at the water's surface, they float on their backs, while river otters swim belly down like most animals. 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. (In the concluding paragraphs of On the Origin of Species, he observed that this view of life contains grandeur and horror alike.) While it may be obvious, river otters are found in rivers while sea otters are found in the sea. The largest otter, the river otter, only weighs about 100lbs when it reaches its full weight, and it grows about 6ft long. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, out of around 50 species of seahorses, all but one are vulnerable or threatened. Seal Vs Otter: What Are the Differences? - AZ Animals Our mission at Wildlife Informer is to share free information and pictures of wildlife with our readers. Both are marine mammals and have lungs that they use to breathe. The one exception to these rules is the Marine otter (Lontra felina) these otters are the only species of otter outside the Sea otter that reside in and around saltwater environments. Otters have paws and external ears while seals have flippers but do not have visible ears. Although both seals and otters come in various sizes due to their many species, seals are almost always larger than otters. In other species, post-hatching battles begin almost immediately. 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. Who will make it to the next round for a chance at a feature story? The other two clawless otters are similar in size to river otters. 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. Georgia Aquarium, along with other zoos and aquariums, work tirelessly to educate and inspire guests, while providing our otters the best veterinary and nutritional care. We can find beauty and poetry in nature, but we can also find terror and savagery, all essential parts of the entire picture. Yet, if the two creatures are closer in size, then you will need to rely on other methods of differentiating them. Parents can be as bad as siblings. Its as easy as that! There seems to be no crime too low for these penguins, he confided to his journal. Today, were in round two of the Sweet Sixteen, and the winners of our Fins and Flippers division are going head to head. The webbed feet of a sea otter. They are agile and flexible due to their four limbs and streamlined bodies. Greetings From the Vortex of Unpredictability, rapidly devours all the other unborn sharks, feathery, fluffy dinosaurs killed the brontosaurus. Otters have long bodies and short legs, while seals have shorter bodies and longer flippers. But this should not be so. In fact, the largest members of the seal species make otters look quite tiny. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. . Among birds, parents under stress to provide for their offspring during rough years may boot eggs from their nests or kill some of their own chicks so that others might survive. All pinnipeds (seals, sea lions and walruses) are protected in U.S. waters under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, according to NOAA. River otters weigh between 11 and 31 pounds. They give birth on the land. It might be because river otters have to fight the strong currents of a river and catch their food and fish. All About Otters - Physical Characteristics | SeaWorld Parks They include; walrus, eared seals, sea lions, fur seals, and earless seals. There are twelve different sub-species of river otter, but only three separate sub-species of the sea otter. The Knysna seahorse is extremely vulnerable to increases in water temperatures; in 1991, more than 3,000 were found dead after heavy rainfall resulted in higher than normal temperatures. Both seals and otters can vary a great deal in their sizes owing to their various species. Otters are mammals in the Mustelidae family. They have blubber that is deposited below the skin. It may seem obvious, but the best way to tell if youre looking at a river otter or a sea otter is just paying attention to the body of water youre observing! They average around 2 feet in length and weigh around 10 pounds. 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. 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. St. Patty's is coming Whats the difference between sea otters and river otters? They have a very thick layer of fur on their bodies that enables them to keep themselves warm during the cold season. However, sea otters are only found in salt water and very rarely make their way onto land. When I'm not working, I enjoy playing video games, reading, and writing for fun. Warming oceans and changing marine conditions due to climate change and ocean acidification make it harder for the whale, which has an exceptionally long migratory and gestation period, to prosper and further threaten the species survival. They include; walrus, eared seals, sea lions, fur seals, and earless seals. Daily activities focus on feeding and grooming, interspersed with rest periods. The Endangered Animal Bracket, Round 7: Sea Otter Vs. Penguin Sea otters also notably have two very large back feet, webbed and streamlined for paddling and swift swimming in unpredictable ocean waters. Their hind feet are webbed to aid in swimming, and their front toes are short and stiff. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. Asian small-clawed otters have a body length of 30-45 cm (12-18 inches) and a tail length of 15-25 cm (6-10 inches). Sea otters are mainly native to the northeastern seaboards of the Pacific Ocean, so they arent spotted in areas like the East Coast or the Gulf of Mexico. The elephant seal can weigh up to 6,000lbs and grows 20ft long. Get Out Your Green & Gold! From their curious faces to their charming behaviors, the otters of the world have earned the title of many nature lovers favorite creatures. For example, sea otters are much larger than river otters in both length and weight. For whichever animal wins, ClimateProgress will write a feature-length article exploring the story behind whats ailing your chosen critter, and who is working to save them. difference between sea otter and penguin. Sea otters also notably have two very large back feet, webbed and streamlined for paddling and swift swimming in unpredictable ocean waters. But if theres any marine vertebrate that wins the title of the squickiest, its dolphins. Another major difference between sea otters and river otters is their mating habits. The Key Differences Between Seal vs Otter. The dark side of superficially cute animals is a part of their nature that reminds us that the wild does not exist for our entertainment and whimsy. Well, they do. If we truly wish to appreciate sea otters, dolphins, penguins, and the rest, we need to consider them as they truly are and not just as the cuddly caricatures that never cease to make us go Awww.. Spot the difference: Asian small-clawed otter, sea otter and beaver For example, the seal and otter are two animals that have a lot in common and are often confused for one another. While they are both otters, river otters belong to the Lontra genus, while sea otters belong to the Enhydra genus. Male giant otters average 26 to 34 kg (57-75 lbs. There are nearly 2,000 different species! In what promises to be two close matches, Sea Otter will face off against Penguin, and ThinkProgress office-favorite Sea Horse will battle the severely endangered North Atlantic Right. The most famous in the United States, the California seal lion can be found all along the West coast of North America. Not all otters are created equal, especially when it comes to their size. This only gets creepier given the recent suggestion that dolphins actually have names that they call one another. If you find these critters as otterly . Free shipping for many products! Both are good swimmers but when we compare the two, the seals win because of their streamlined bodies and flippers that enable them to move in water fast. They have a body length of about 3 to 4 feet and weigh between 40 to 60 pounds. Partially due to that, its believed to be the most endangered cetacean in the world, a category that includes whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Privacy Policy. Whereas a female southern sea otter grows up to 50 pounds, a female northern sea otter can weigh up to 70 pounds. River Otter vs Sea Otter: 5 Key Differences - AZ Animals Sea otters carry their young on their stomachs to keep them safe until they are ready to swim by themselves. Both are adapted to keeping themselves warm in the water. Why are these male sea otters killing seals? It is slow moving, floats when killed, and is full of oil and baleen. 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. Giant Otters have a smaller lifespan in the wild at about 10 years. . Some local populations, such as Gray seals in the Baltic Sea, are endangered. River Otter Vs Sea Otter Differences You Ought To Know | Kidadl Please try 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. Their diet is composed of meat and protein such as fish, octopuses, lobsters, salmon, eel, mackerel, and squid. : Love to snack on small fish found close to shore banks, as well as amphibians such as frogs, and crustaceans such as crawdads. In Antarctica, the Adlie, chinstrap, and gentoo penguins flourished under warming that caused ice sheets to shrink. Since river otters are much smaller, they are more prone to predators. 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. They may look similar, but they are two different creatures. Males are larger compared to their female counterparts. The main difference between otter and seal is that Otters are comparatively smaller in body size while seals are comparatively larger in body size. Thanks for signing up for Ocean Conservancy emails. Sea otters eat sea urchins, seaweed, clams, and crabs. Next, the tail of a sea otter is short and flattened; a river otter . Otters and seals share many things such as they are both mammals and have the same physical appearance although they are different from each other. Southern sea otters are considered an endangered species, while Asian small-clawed otters are vulnerable. Have a question? River otter mothers care for their pups until they are between six and twelve months old. This inner layer keeps them warm, and the outer layer keeps them waterproof. River otters can be found in pairs, but they tend to spend time with other otters in a more casual way. Contact Us This is primarily due to the difference in habitat, but sea otters and river otters have different diets. RETWEET for Penguin or FAVE for Sea Otter #CPMarchSadness http://t.co/lzQh1SAaxZ pic.twitter.com/D7Tlow3Pad, Climate Progress (@climateprogress) March 27, 2015. One of the main differences between a river otter vs sea otter is their species or genus classification. 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. How to Tell the Difference Between Sea Otters and River Otters Given their preferred habitats, this is only natural, though there are some dietary overlaps between sea otters and saltwater river otters. nurse unit manager interview questions and answers australia. Seals are marine mammals in the Phocidae family. 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 most common seal in the Arctic, the ringed seal is the smallest of the seal species. Levick was aghast because he viewed the penguins in human termsas little gents and dames dressed to the nines. They are also captured for the exotic pet trade in some countries and several species are still trapped and killed for their fur. As their name suggests, sea otters are adorable mammals that barely leave their saltwater homes. In terms of colours, seals have thick fur coats that range from pale yellow to light grey and dark brown. Can You Eat Clownfish and How Does It Taste? 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. when actual inflation is less than expected inflation borrowers quizlet. Vote in the embedded tweets below, on Twitter with the hashtag #CPMarchSadness, or on our Facebook page. SeaQuest is committed to protecting our worlds oceans and endangered animals. The most notable physical difference between this subspecies and its northern cousins is size. Still, these two mammals are very different from one another. These remaining otters can be found in rivers, lakes, and freshwater wetlands. The reason for this skew in the population is unclear, but it leaves male sea otters in a bind. : They are huge eaters! Otters fur has guard hairs on the outside layer that are used to keep them protected from moisture and to maintain body temperature. Cetaceans (whales, porpoises, and dolphins) are categorized into two main groups: baleen whales (mysticetes) and toothed whales (odontocetes). In 2010, California Department of Fish and Game biologist Heather Harris and colleagues reported 19 individual cases of male sea otters trying to mate with, and often fatally injuring, harbor seal pups in the Monterey Bay, Calif. area between 2000 and 2002 alone. Sea otters commit to one another and raise one pup at a time. Levick recorded these behaviors as aberrations from the norm of nature. and weighing just 1 to 5 kg (2.2-11 lbs.). The Asian small-clawed otter is the smallest of all otters, measuring 65 to 94 cm (26-37 in.) They average a length of 5 feet and weigh about 150 pounds. Both types of otters need their coats to form a layer of insulation that traps air to keep them warm, and they certainly need it when areas like the Pacific dip to chilly temperatures that are often between 35 and 60 (and even lower than that as you move up the coast toward Alaska and Canada)! One of the main differences between a river otter vs sea otter is their species or genus classification. 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. If you travel further north to areas like the Alaskan seaboard, you could even find males weighing up to 100 pounds! For example, if you see a creature with flippers and no tail or ears, its clearly a seal rather than an otter. Sea otters are part of the weasel family. Maybe the bad behavior was just a rumor. There is no animal that is made of rainbows and kisses and goodness all the way through. Sea otters mate for life, as many people know, but this is not the same for river otters. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Enter your email and never miss an update. W178 CENTEX Centex Charmyland Saru Gorilla Sea Otter Walrus Penguin Not to worry, friends. Habitat loss, water pollution, deforestation, and hunting threaten their survival. Both species face threats of pollution, habitat loss, and reduced food sources. In addition, severe weather can make it difficult for sea otters to forage for and find food. We bring people, science and policy together to champion innovative solutions and fight for a sustainable ocean. Answers: These three are all sea otters (credit: Deanna Lynch/USFWS) while the first and last photos in this blog are river otters (credit: Barry Troutman). They have flippers and do not have visible ears. They are comparatively larger in body size. Many creatures dwell in the water, and some of them are difficult to tell apart. Sea otters are generally diurnal. Ocean Conservancy is a 501(c)3 Tax ID #23-7245152 Donations are 100% tax-deductible as allowed by law. With 13 species around the world, you can find an otter species located on almost every continent! Sea Otter Vs River Otter (9 Key Differences) - Wildlife Informer Wildlife Informer is reader-supported. : Feed on frogs, crabs, crayfish, and shellfish. Although seals and otters are often believed to be related, the truth is that they belong to completely different families. The North American River otter is classified as Least Concern meaning they have safe population stability as of today. Male sea otters can weigh up to 99 pounds, while female sea otters typically weigh around 44 pounds. 8 Fun Date Night Ideas in Salt Lake City. 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. As Douglas and colleagues stressed in their preface to Levicks report, though, the behavior [displayed by hooligan males] is clearly not analogous to necrophilia in the human context. That fact can easily be lost when one is appalled by an animal acting out a human taboo. We know it can get otterly confusing to differentiate the species, so here are five ways to tell them apart! Who will win? Although seals and otters are often believed to be related, the truth is that they belong to completely different . Watch Five Giant River Otters Face-Off Against a Huge Jaguar, Watch a Group of Massive River Otters Defeat a Crocodile in Vicious Battle, River Otter vs Sea Otter: 5 Key Differences. Otter belongs to the Mustelidae family while the seal belongs to the Phocidae family.
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