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Taxonomically speaking, river otters and sea otters are different genera. Their scientific name, Pinnipeds, says it all. They are found all over the world and live in all waters both the arctic and subarctic. Terms & Conditions. Another motherly difference is how these two creatures care for their young. With the help of donors like you, Ocean Conservancy is developing innovative solutions to save our ocean. Did You Know. Please try Sea otters are larger than river otters. 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. They are agile and flexible due to their four limbs and streamlined bodies. There seems to be no crime too low for these penguins, he confided to his journal. Or at least Im going to tarnish their reputation as some of the most charming little beasties in the seas. . On the other hand, there are 12 different species of river otter found around the world, from the North American river otter to the Japanese river otter to the Asian small-clawed otter. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. Whereas a female southern sea otter grows up to 50 pounds, a female northern sea otter can weigh up to 70 pounds. What we might perceive as aberrant behavior starts earlyespecially violence. Welcome back to March Sadness, ClimateProgress educational bracket tournament of animals impacted by climate change and other environmental threats. The sea otter does, however, have a shorter tail than the river otter. Rather than being deviant, the behaviors were a regular part of penguin life, triggered by males associating a rather flexible interpretation of a females mating posture with receptiveness. 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. (Major seas are known as oceans.) True seals use blubber deposits under their skin to keep themselves warm when theyre in the water, which is quite often. 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. This is especially problematic in Monterey Bay, where there are more male sea otters than females. For example, sea otters are much larger than river otters in both length and weight. Why are these male sea otters killing seals? They are both weasel family members, as evident by their long, slender bodies. Ocean Conservancy is working with you to protect the ocean from todays greatest global challenges. Seals are larger than otters, weighing a lot more than them and growing much longer. There are 33 species of pinnipeds alive today and, they too can be found on every continent on Earth! Unlike the common otter, sea otter's feet are webbed. The North American River otter is classified as Least Concern meaning they have safe population stability as of today. Male sea otters compete with one another for mates. They can grow up to 4 feet and weigh up to 70 pounds. Giant Otters have a smaller lifespan in the wild at about 10 years. They live in or near oceans. While sea otters and river otters share many differences, they do share a major similarity the threats they face in the wild. Today, were in round two of the Sweet Sixteen, and the winners of our Fins and Flippers division are going head to head. Though most species occur in cold-water environments. Another difference between river otters and sea otters is their appearance. While both animals are classified as otters, river otters are members of the Lontra genus, and sea otters are members of the Enhydra genus. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. Have some feedback for us? Parents can be as bad as siblings. They have webbed feet, water-repellent fur to keep them dry and warm, and nostrils and ears that close in the water. The Asian small-clawed otter is "slimmer" and smaller, with smooth fur and a face that looks like it is smiling. River otters build dens on the riverbanks and care for their young there. 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. Next, the tail of a sea otter is short and flattened; a river otter . In this article, we will address all of these differences in detail, including their physicality and social behavior. Another major difference between sea otters and river otters is their mating habits. Otters have dense fur that keeps them warm while seals have blubber that is deposited under the skin that keeps them warm. Female otters in the California region can weigh up to 60 pounds, while males can weigh up to 90 pounds. Levick recorded these behaviors as aberrations from the norm of nature. However, sea otters are only found in salt water and very rarely make their way onto land. 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. 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). They consume around 10 lbs of food per day. There was nothing obviously wrong with these rehabbed otters, but the trouble they experienced early in their lives might have made them more likely assailants. Sea otters, conversely, are found only in salt water and rarely go on land. 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. Southern sea otters are considered an endangered species, while Asian small-clawed otters are vulnerable. A 2010 study found that a toxin found in blue-green algae called microcystin had killed at least 21 California sea otters. and weighing just 1 to 5 kg (2.2-11 lbs.). The marine otter simply lives near the ocean, diving in only to feed. They have blubber that is deposited below the skin. 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. Length of Lions Mane Jellyfish vs Blue Whale. Alaska sea otters are slightly larger than . Thats quite the size difference! There are twelve different sub-species of river otter, but only three separate sub-species of the sea otter. Given our ability to reason, we have the unique ability to decide the right and wrong of what we do. Otter endangered status varies by species and location. Shocking behavior isnt the sole province of marine mammals. There are a few exceptions: The Galpagos fur seal and the Monk seal are both now have an Endangered status. Considered a cousin of the weasel, otters are known for their elongated bodies, webbed feet, and playful antics, particularly their love of sliding down rocks, banks, or waterfalls. Not all otters are created equal, especially when it comes to their size. 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. As the smallest species of otter, they range in size from 4.4 to 11 pounds, with a body length of only 16 to 24 inches, which makes them half the length of a southern sea otter! Its without a doubt that otters are some of the most adorable mammals to ever grace the planet. Honor A Loved One's Milestone Or Memory With A Donation In Their Name. Conversely, sea otters only give birth to one pup and care for them until they are between eight and twelve months old. Scientists believe this difference is due to the size difference between the two creatures. The former can reach up to 5.6 mph (9 kph) underwater, while the latter, in North America, has a maximum speed of 8.7 mph (14 kph). In Antarctica, the Adlie, chinstrap, and gentoo penguins flourished under warming that caused ice sheets to shrink. According to the IUCN, this can make it hard for otters to meet their high metabolic needs, leading to malnutrition or starvation.. One of the main differences between a river otter vs sea otter is their species or genus classification. When I'm not working, I enjoy playing video games, reading, and writing for fun. In fact, the largest members of the seal species make otters look quite tiny. River otters also eat a different diet when compared to sea otters. The distinction between these two is important: the sea otter will spend its entire life floating in the ocean, swimming, feeding, and reproducing. They eat 15% of their body weight a day. : Feed on crabs, clams, mussels, sea urchins, and abalone. Otters have paws and external ears while seals have flippers but do not have visible ears. Delivered in the scientific deadpan required of such papers, the Aquatic Mammals report attributes the incidents to three male sea otters observed harassing, dragging, guarding, and copulating with harbor seals, persisting for up to seven days after the otters killed the objects of their misguided advances. Ocean Conservancy is a 501(c)3 Tax ID #23-7245152 Donations are 100% tax-deductible as allowed by law. Sea otters are bigger and thus have larger feet than river otters. When I first heard about the behavior from a marine biologist friend of mine, I didnt quite believe sea otters could be so diabolical. Together, we create evidence-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it. Some seals have fur, but they are not considered true seals. The main feature that makes otters appear different from seals is the body size. Vote in the embedded tweets below, on Twitter with the hashtag #CPMarchSadness, or on our Facebook page. Decreasing sea ice cover is preventing Emperor penguins from finding food and sheltering their babies. The word pinniped means fin-footed or flipper-footed. (label) A large number or quantity; a vast amount.A sea of faces stared back at the singer. The main difference between otter and seal is that Otters are comparatively smaller in body size while seals are comparatively larger in body size. Seeing a dolphin at sea should be just as chilling as how many people feel when they see the sinuous silhouette of a shark. River otters also can often be found on the banks of the river. Both are marine mammals and have lungs that they use to breathe. At Arctic Tundra we've created a habitat just like the grassy tundra near Point Hope, Alaska - and filled it with massive muskoxen. Have a question? Sea otters must eat 20-25% of their body weight to maintain their body temperature. SeaQuest is committed to protecting our worlds oceans and endangered animals. We know it can get otterly confusing to differentiate the species, so here are five ways to tell them apart! Their fur is made up of a dense underfur, ranging in color from brown to black, and longer guard hairs. The pups learn their mothers voice to avoid confusion of the mother feeding another seals pups. There are many distinguishing features between a river otter vs sea otter. Contact us today. The largest river otters weigh in at around thirty pounds. While it may seem obvious at first, you may not know all of the differences between a river otter vs sea otter. Later researchers rediscovered what Levick had seen. Sea otters have an average lifespan of 12-15 years in the wild while river otters live an average of 9-12 years. Otter and seals belong to different families. The species are either aquatic or semi-aquatic depending on the species. The Northern fur seal and Nooded seal are vulnerable. Protect the Arctic from Future Oil Spills. SeaQuest Blog The Caribbean monk seal was declared extinct in 2008. Asian Small-Clawed Otters will live around 12 years in captivity but lifespan in the wild is really unknown, with an estimated number of 5,000 left in the world. Asian-small clawed otters can be found in India, China, and parts of Southeast Asia. They move to land to escape some predators like sharks. 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. Adult sea otters may grow up to 5 feet in . Peregrine FalconDay 104/1: TBDDay 114/2: TBDDay 124/3: THE FINAL FOUR: TBDDay 134/6: THE CHAMPIONSHIP: TBD, PAST ROUNDS:Round 7: Sweet Sixteen, part 2Round 6: Sweet Sixteen, part 1Round 5: Shells and WingsRound 4: Horns and HoovesRound 3: Fins and FlippersRound 2: Paws and Claws, part 2Round 1: Paws and Claws, part 1, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Maintained by Center for American Progress - Action Fund. WildlifeInformer.com is your #1 source for free information about all types of wildlife and exotic pets. Sea otters have a different diet from river otters, given their habitat and saltwater location. 2022 Georgia Aquarium 225 Baker Street Northwest, Atlanta, GA. Georgia Aquarium is a nonprofit committed to inspiring awareness and preservation of our ocean and aquatic animals worldwide. Male bottlenose dolphins will sometimes team up to target a single female and harass her persistently, forcing her to mate with them despite her attempts to escape. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. 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. Otters are comparatively smaller while seals are larger in body size. With this insight, you should have a better grasp as to what makes both river otters and sea otters special. This is primarily due to the difference in habitat, but sea otters and river otters have different diets. 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)! are about 33 species in this family. African penguins are declining in part due to fluctuations in water temperature and increased storms on their breeding grounds. There are only 450 left in the world. Many people may not know this, but sea otters are much larger than river otters. Vote below. 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. Sea otters also have thicker fur, often with white markings, while river otters have sleeker fur to match their streamlined bodies. They weigh between 45kg to 3,200kg . River otters and sea otters also have habitat preferences in these unique ecosystems. A sea otter can grow to be up to 4 feet long, while a river otter only grows to be about 2.5 feet long. Im going to ruin sea otters for you. Though they may look similar, there are distinct differences between the two. They have a body length of about 3 to 4 feet and weigh between 40 to 60 pounds. They display sexual dimorphism. Giant Otters are the largest otter species and are very similar to large river otters. The underfur is the layer closest to the body, and this fur functions to insulate their body and keep warm in very cold conditions. 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. When they are not in the water, river otters forage the land for food and build burrows or dens for their young. Their diets are reminiscent of their environments. Taxonomically speaking, river otters and sea otters are different genera. how to cancel quizlet subscription; denver criminal court docket; cody and caleb martin salary; how to remove a backwards bullet from the chamber Sea Otters are a larger species of otter. Their diet is composed of meat and protein such as fish, octopuses, lobsters, salmon, eel, mackerel, and squid. Asian small-clawed otters spend more of their time on land than in water, which helps keep a stable body temperature. Careers, 2023 SeaQuest, All Rights Reserved. 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). They are purely carnivorous and eat a hefty diet of fish, crabs, small caimans, and small anacondas. We can find beauty and poetry in nature, but we can also find terror and savagery, all essential parts of the entire picture. All of this is only the barest catalog of common and widespread phenomena in nature that we often shy away from examining, as we have great difficulty divorcing our own sense of morality from a wilderness that does not and cannot share our values. Members of Phocidae are known as earless seals or true seals. Maybe the bad behavior was just a rumor. 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. We think of otters as the cute little aquatic creatures who float on their backs and rub their cheeks in viral videos. They are found in Eastern North and Northern Pacific Ocean. 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. : They are huge eaters! River otter mothers care for their pups until they are between six and twelve months old. ), while females average 22 to 26 kg (49-57 lbs.). This inner layer keeps them warm, and the outer layer keeps them waterproof. I've written in a variety of niches such as video games, animals, and managed service providers. Darwin knew this well. An adorable detail about sea otters is the fact that they hold paws when sleeping to avoid drifting away from their familial units. Contact Us 1Polar Bear vs. Wombat; Tasmanian Devil vs. Pangolin; (voting closed) WINNERS: Polar Bear and Pangolin.Day 23/20: Paws and Claws pt. Privacy Policy. They are very different from other mammals that share the seals name or lineage. Yet, if the two creatures are closer in size, then you will need to rely on other methods of differentiating them. Their gestation period is between 60 to 86 days. A final difference between a river otter vs sea otter lies in their social behaviors and mating habits. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. Which would you like to know more about? This goes both ways! Sea otters have back feet that are larger than their front feet, and much larger than the feet of a river otter. There are over 70 different species of cetacean. Not to mention that we nearly eradicated sea otters out of lust for their pelts, and we continue to keep dolphins confined in small, hard-walled, unhealthy environments for nothing more than our amusement. Dolphin Coast Presented by Margaritaville by Wyndham, Beginning Environmental Leadership Program, Next Up: Sea Lion Pup Born at Georgia Aquarium, Alliance of Marine Mammals Parks & Aquariums (AMMPA), International Marine Animal Trainer's Association (IMATA). Ribbon Seals have a maximum lifespan of about 30 years, but they likely live about 20 years. 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. Receive email updates to learn how you can help make a difference for the future of our ocean. Southern sea otters are approximately four feet in length and weigh on average between 45-65 pounds. But sea otters relationship with climate change goes two ways. They feed on fish, shellfish, penguins, and other marine creatures. The sea otters legs arent made for walking, like river otters are, but for constant swimming. The other two clawless otters are similar in size to river otters. Slate is published by The Slate Group, a Graham Holdings Company. When comparing the sea otter vs river otter, you may wonder if they the same animal. Additionally, river otters have a very different social structure from sea otters, often preferring solitude over a sea otters committed family structure. Get Out Your Green & Gold! Learn more. They average a length of 5 feet and weigh about 150 pounds. Enter your email and never miss an update. Dolphins have tried to force themselves on human swimmers, a prospect made all the more terrifying by the fact that they have prehensile penises. Whats the Difference Between a Dolphin and Shark? Although both seals and otters come in various sizes due to their many species, seals are almost always larger than otters. Seals are larger than otters on average, and the largest members of the species make otters look positively tiny. 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. This only gets creepier given the recent suggestion that dolphins actually have names that they call one another. Wannabe mother primates may steal the baby of another and unintentionally starve that infant in a phenomenon called aunting to death. Dominant wild dogs may kill the offspring of subordinate members of the pack to make sure the alphas infants get the most food. Sea otters are generally diurnal. The maximum lifespan for male Nothern Elephant Seal is age 14; for females it is to age 20. Sea Otter Sea Otters are a larger species of otter. 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. 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.. Theyre found along coastal areas of the Pacific Ocean ranging from California to Russia, and spend a majority of their time swimming, eating, and sleeping in saltwater. I am a non-binary freelance writer working full-time in Oregon. Although seals and otters are often believed to be related, the truth is that they belong to completely different . Im not saying any of this to put down these animals. We focus on how to be proactive in finding solutions. River otters also reach sexual maturity earlier and are typically able to reproduce sooner than sea otters. Since river otters are much smaller, they are more prone to predators. 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). They have flippers and do not have visible ears. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. There are about 33 species in this family. The sentiments about proper human behavior were impressed upon the penguins, and vice versa. Hindflippers rotate underneath to allow them to walk on land, Swim underwater using foreflippers like wings of a bird, Move on land by wiggling on belly and keep hindflippers straight out, Swim by steering with foreflippers and powering with hindflippers, All pinnipeds (seals, sea lions and walruses) are protected in U.S. waters under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, according to NOAA. They have a very thick layer of fur on their bodies that enables them to keep themselves warm during the cold season. They even have the adorable habit of floating on their backs, even while theyre eating, and have been known to hold hands with each other while sleeping so they dont drift apart from their pals! Cetaceans (whales, porpoises, and dolphins) are categorized into two main groups: baleen whales (mysticetes) and toothed whales (odontocetes). 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. The reason for this skew in the population is unclear, but it leaves male sea otters in a bind. They also feed on invertebrates and small animals found in the sea. 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. 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. Levick wrote an entire book about the seagoing birds on his return, describing the impression of the elegant avians like so: When seen for the first time, the Adlie penguin gives you the impression of a very smart little man in an evening dress suit, so absolutely immaculate is he, with his shimmering white front and black back and shoulders. But the species shocked and horrified Levick so much so that his four-page report Sexual Habits of the Adlie Penguin was purposefully omitted from the official expedition findings and distributed only to a small group of researchers considered learned and discreet enough to handle the graphic content. While it may be obvious, river otters are found in rivers while sea otters are found in the sea. North American River Otters weigh between 10 pounds to 25 pounds and grow up to 3 feet in length. The majority of river otters mate with multiple otters throughout the course of their lives, and they may have multiple litters in a year. In addition, severe weather can make it difficult for sea otters to forage for and find food. For if such awful displays occurred in nature, what might that say about our own actions? Posted on June 8, 2022 ; in pete davidson first snl episode; by A fully grown otter weighs between 14 to 45 kg and this makes them the heaviest member among the smallest marine animals. And kelp forests are good at storing carbon: a study in 2012 found that the presence of otters helped carbon storage in North American kelp forests surge. Daily activities focus on feeding and grooming, interspersed with rest periods. You may already have an idea as to what makes river otters and sea otters look so different from one another. The Key Differences Between Seal vs Otter. The main difference between otter and seal is that Otters are comparatively smaller in body size while seals are comparatively larger in body size. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you look closely at river otters, youll notice that they have short, coarse fur made up of two layers: one for keeping them warm, and another waterproof one outside of that. Some local populations, such as Gray seals in the Baltic Sea, are endangered. While both animals are classified as otters, river otters are members of the Lontra genus, and sea otters are members of the Enhydra genus. The largest of the seal species, the southern elephant seal can grow up to almost 8,000 pounds and 20 feet long for adult males, while adult females are a bit smaller at 2000 pounds and 10 feet in length. Seals and otters are easy to tell apart if you know where to look. However, river otters can swim in saltwater if there is an ocean near their preferred river habitat. union county latest news River otters, despite their name, can be found in fresh and salt water. All rights reserved. Natural represents the world as it should besomething we feel estranged from and strive to get back. The notion that sea otters fall in love and hold hands in the ocean so that they dont drift away from one another is a foreign concept to a river otter! Conversely, river otters mate with multiple partners during the course of their lives. There are quite a few to discuss, as river otters and sea otters belong to different genuses of animal. If you see a vast creature, then its probably a seal and not an otter. They can grow up to 4 feet and weigh up to 70 pounds. Learn how to tell them apart quickly and easily! The largest otter, the river otter, only weighs about 100lbs when it reaches its full weight, and it grows about 6ft long. Many of, Crocodiles are among the most terrifying animals of all time. What makes each species unique, and what are the signs that make each one recognizable? These two similarly named and look-alike animals are, in fact, very different. They weigh between 45kg to 3,200kg. They give birth on the land.