Learn 15 more facts about these fascinating mammals. Otters can hold their breath for 3-4 minutes, closing their nostrils and ears to keep out water. Surprisingly, an intriguing fact that distinguishes these creatures is their distinctive nature to live as aquatics and . The two species found in North America are river otters and sea otters, the latter of which are also found in Japan and the Pacific coast of Russia. - Diving into the Science! This high demand leaves otter mothers depleted, and many die from minor illnesses. March 28, 2023 by Wilson Singleton. Resting spots, called hovers or couches, are usually little more than a bed of reeds. Use permeable pavers and native plants in landscaping. What we can learn from Chernobyl's strays. Absolutely, many gentle mammals are carnivores including your pet cat! Yes, youve read that right. Sea otters have an ingenious method to open shellfish. Otters and their mustelid relatives were once hunted extensively for their fur, many to the point of near extinction. Female otters are sows, and males are boars. Each week, we explore unique solutions to some of the world's biggest problems. "River Otter, Wildlife Note." Webbed feet and powerful tails, which act like rudders, make otters strong swimmers. Do Otters Have Webbed Feet? 7, no. The male forced the pup under water as if trying to drown it. These otters have brown-to-gray fur, and their undersides are a lighter, silvery . North American river otter | Smithsonian's National Zoo As explained by the National Wildlife Foundation's Robyn Carmichael, sea otters frequently eat sea urchins, which in turn are known for eating massive amounts of kelp, which is very good at taking in carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. Are Otters Mean? The Pros And Cons Of Keeping An Otter As A Pet Weight: 11 to 30 pounds. In the past, observers have usually set up telescopes on shore to try and monitor otters at sea. River otters as a whole look quite similar to weasels. In detail, the male otter will bite down the female otters nose as the ritual begins causing physical injuries. Theres no doubt that otters are cute animals. They rely on all that fur to trap a layer of air against the surface of their skin, and their fur is perfectly designed to do so because it's dense and spiky. As the world becomes more and more polluted otter populations become more and more at risk. Some researchers hypothesize that male sea otters may be mistaking the seal pups for female otters during mating season. We thought we knew turtles. But are otters really as sweet as we think they are, or are otters evil? Yes, they can act as carriers for various parasites and pathogens, some of which can potentially infect other animals or even humans. Facts About Otters | Live Science Hairy-nosed otters are an endangered species found in Asia. Otters can be discovered inhabiting almost every continent on Earth and these imply otter facts are applicable to all 13 species, many of which are sadly endangered because of overhunting, pandemic viruses, and habitat destruction among certain populations of the otter. However, otters may take their diet a bit too far because. A trapping license and open season are required to trap river otters. Here are four essential facts about sea otters: They're the largest member of the weasel family Mustelidae, a family of fur-bearing mammals that includes everything from weasels to honey. 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. Theories for what's behind the drop range widely, but the US Fish and Wildlife Survey's recovery plan for the species highlights predation, in particular from killer whales, as the most important factor behind the decline. "Giant Otter." Two species . Forceful mating practices are a disturbing aspect of otter behavior that highlights the darker side of their seemingly innocent and playful appearance. 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. The act sometimes involves the male grabbing the female's head underwater and as the two turns and wriggle under the surface. This mating behavior is typically driven by the males desire to maximize his chances of passing on his genes to future generations. How do otters stay warm? Heres how paradise fought back. Forced interspecies sex. European otter | The Wildlife Trusts Of the 13 species of otter, IUCN lists five as endangered, five as near-threatened, and two as vulnerable. How to see the Lyrid meteor shower at its peak, The Stone of Destiny has a mysterious past beyond British coronations, Ultimate Italy: 14 ways to see the country in a new light, 6 unforgettable Italy hotels, from Lake Como to Rome, A taste of Rioja, from crispy croquettas to piquillo peppers, Trek through this stunning European wilderness, Land of the lemurs: the race to save Madagascar's sacred forests, Photograph by Charlie Hamilton James, Nat Geo Image Collection. At 105 min into the encounter, the sea otter released the pup, now dead, and began grooming.You read that correctly. Male otters have also been known to violently copulate with other speciesmost notably, baby seals [PDF]. Scientists Pinpoint Parasite Strain, Weird and Fascinating Ways Animals Use Poop, River Otters Take Party Pooping to A New Level, A Keystone Species, The Sea Otter, Colonizes Glacier Bay, Energy Demands of Raising a Pup Push Sea Otter Moms to the Limit. They bite their female partner's face during copulation to keep her from slipping away, leaving her with substantial facial wounds. She is the author of "The Ethiopian Wolf: Hope at the Edge of Extinction. The reasons behind this behavior are not entirely clear, but scientists believe it may be linked to the sea otters aggressive mating practices with females. These territorial animals are more than capable of holding their own in a fight. Source: Scientific Reasons for B.S Things Our Bodies Do. Komala - Generation VII. The lifespan varies depending on the species and region. One studyfound that kelp beds where sea otters are present soak up 12 times as much carbon dioxide as beds where they're not. All otter species appear on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and only one is listed as "least concern." The otter has a lithe and slender body with short legs, a strong neck, and a long flattened tail that helps propel the animal gracefully through water. They also love to play. Take a mental break with the newest Vox crossword, Sign up for the And I guess I get the appeal. These efforts include re-introduction programs aimed at bringing them back to their native habitats and increasing their numbers in the wild. In many places, it is illegal to keep them as pets due to their protected status and potential danger to humans. Bodkin, J.L. 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. According to the Smithsonian, these mammals are the world's newest carriers of H1N1, the flu strain that lead to a human pandemic back in 2009. Pennsylvania Game Commission. You bet they do! The mammals like to keep things organized within their communities and will designate certain areas to be used as latrines. Otter Facts To Prove Otters Are Actually Huge Jerks During mating, male otters hold onto the female and bite her nose, sometimes even hard enough that blood starts gushing out and causes deep wounds. A Eurasian river otter mother relaxes with with her two seven-month-old cubs on a shoreline in Shetland, U.K. 10 Facts about River Otters | Facts of World (Exploring the Intelligence of Lions), 11 Powerful Animals With No Natural Predators. 21 Disturbing Facts You Never Wanted To Know About Animals By Mark Hand September 8, 2017 Nature can be beautiful, but sometimes if you take a moment to scratch just below the surface what you'll find might disgust you. Young and old otters most often juggle rocks. Langley, Liz. Moreover, increased conservation efforts are needed in order to monitor population numbers, reduce polluting activities and stop activities that destroy their habitats. They then leave droppings called spraints, which refer to a single bowel evacuation and that researchers describe as smelling like violets. While rare, injuries to humans caused by them can occur, highlighting the importance of respecting these wild animals and maintaining a safe distance. Average Life Span In The Wild: 8 to 9 years. River otters are frequently mistaken for sea otters. River otters line their dens with leaves, moss, and grass. Baby ones raised in captivity squeak when introduced to water for the first time. Despite spending most of their time in the water, otters cant breathe underwater; as mammals, they need air. Within their social groups, otters exhibit a behavior known as alloparenting, where individuals other than the parents help raise the young. But now, scientists are using unmanned drones with cameras to get an aerial look at otters in their element, making it easier to monitor the creatures as they dive for food and go about their day. Their nostrils and ears close to keep water out, and waterproof fur keeps them warm. Otters natural habitats are regularly disrupted or destroyed due to human activities, making it harder for them to survive. Email: [emailprotected]. Otters love to eat shelled animals, like clams, but they aren't equipped with the strength to open their food without some help. This may sound disturbing, but is successful. How this animal can survive is a mystery. The golden poison dart frog (Phyllobates . After raping a baby seal to death, this psycho licked his paws, like Hannibal Lecter or something. For starters, male sea otters have been known to assault and even kill seal pups. As a result, if you ever find yourself in proximity to an otter (river or sea), back off. A group of otters in the water is most often called a raft. Humans are the main predator of Otters due to hunting for their pelts. In California's Monterey Bay, where scientists observed otters trying to copulate with the week-old bodies of dead baby seals, there are far more male otters than females. River otters generally live along rivers, as their name implies, but they're also found near streams and lakes. Found in cat feces, it enters waterways through runoff and flushable cat litter. These efforts are necessary so that we can ensure this species can continue to flourish despite outside threats they face due to over-harvesting and human interference. River otters have webbing between their toes to aid them as well. All rights reserved, as many as a million hairs per square inch, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. These furry creatures eat meat, such as fish,frogs, birds, and even mammals. Aboard the St. Peter, Steller and other 18th-century explorers crash-landed on modern-day Bering Island after getting separated from its sister ship. If weve learned anything until this point, otters are eviler than they seem. They have long, narrow bodies, with long tails and short legs. Today you will find out some history facts that you may not have heard of before, and they come with a twist, as Redditor Doyouareisstupid asked, "What is the weirdest/most disturbing fact about our world's history that you know?" It's a perfect read for the spooky season we are now in because people have knowledge about some . 30 Of The Weirdest And The Most Disturbing Facts From Known History Just like when they mate, otters bite the baby seal and hold it down with their sharp claws, causing injuries and death in most cases. 1. Nature, unfortunately, isn't always pretty. Sea otters cannot swim at all for their first month, despite being born in the open sea. Asian otter species also face threats from the illegal pet trade. "Weird and Fascinating Ways Animals Use Poop." They also use body language and scent marking to communicate ownership and boundaries. Otter families are usually limited to pups and their mothers, and these duos will spend most of their time either feeding or sleeping. In Alaska's Aleutian Islands, the species has seen a marked decline since the 1980s. Carnivore. It was thought that otters helped keep water purified by. Rape or, as biologists usually call it, "forced copulation" is a disturbing fact of life in the animal kingdom. Diving into the Science! Some otters hold the female's heads underwater during intercourse to force submission. "How to Tell the Difference Between Sea Otters and River Otters." Unfortunately, it gets worse. In areas where otter populations are declining, conservationists may attempt to introduce new individuals to bolster the population. They eat 9 pounds of food each day. "The Fantastic Fur of Sea Otters." In this post, well talk about why otters are evil and why they arent the cuddlers they appear to be.
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