We think of otters as the cute little aquatic creatures who float on their backs and rub their cheeks in viral videos. A post shared by Daniel Rosengren (@naturebydanielrosengren). It has "toes" on its feet. They average a length of 5 feet and weigh about 150 pounds. : Most all seal species are carnivorous. The other two clawless otters are similar in size to river otters. North American River Otter Sea otters have a different diet from river otters, given their habitat and saltwater location. Penguin: There are a lot of different types of penguins, and climate change is affecting all of them. One of the main differences between a river otter vs sea otter is their species or genus classification. Given their preferred habitats, this is only natural, though there are some dietary overlaps between sea otters and saltwater river otters. In fact, the largest members of the seal species make otters look quite tiny. While members of both otter subtypes love to swim, the swimming behaviors they engage in are quite distinct. 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. With 13 species around the world, you can find an otter species located on almost every continent! Seals spend less time in the water than otters. (In the concluding paragraphs of On the Origin of Species, he observed that this view of life contains grandeur and horror alike.) Its Easy To Do. On average, seals are larger than otters. But the general idea is the same: if the otter isnt floating in the ocean, its most likely a river otter, and vice versa! And always keep in mind where youre looking if youre at the ocean, chances are youre looking at a sea otter as opposed to a river otter. SeaQuest is committed to protecting our worlds oceans and endangered animals. Taxonomically speaking, river otters and sea otters are different genera. When they are not in the water, river otters forage the land for food and build burrows or dens for their young. For example, the seal and otter are two animals that have a lot in common and are often confused for one another. Thank you for visiting! When comparing the sea otter vs river otter, you may wonder if they the same animal. River Otter vs Sea Otter: 5 Key Differences - AZ Animals They are comparatively smaller in body size. Both species face threats of pollution, habitat loss, and reduced food sources. Seals have flippers, no visible external ears, and a very small tail. Taxonomically speaking, river otters and sea otters are different genera. What is natural is not inherently good or evil: It simply is, and wed be fools to take such examples as models of right or wrong. They are also known as fin-footed mammals. When I'm not working, I enjoy playing video games, reading, and writing for fun. Otters spend the vast majority of their time in the water, and they even sleep in the water. Copyright 2023. 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. Rocky Shores & Arctic Tundra - Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium The Difference Between Asian Small-Clawed Otters And Sea Otters The most notable physical difference between this subspecies and its northern cousins is size. They feed on fish and shellfish. 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. If you travel further north to areas like the Alaskan seaboard, you could even find males weighing up to 100 pounds! There are over 70 different species of cetacean. River otters and sea otters might be similar in name, but these two different classifications and populations are actually quite different in many ways, in the same way dogs have different breeds. Fur seals are not members of Phocidae, and they are not true seals either. : They are huge eaters! These two different animals have their key differences, but one thing is for sure: theyre all still otterly loveable wildlife all the same! Their tails alone can grow to 24 inches!. As their name suggests, sea otters are adorable mammals that barely leave their saltwater homes. The Northern fur seal and Nooded seal are vulnerable. Length of Lions Mane Jellyfish vs Blue Whale. You might not be able to tell by looking at them, but river otters and sea otters have very different fur. The key differences between seals and otters are size, family, and their method of thermoregulation. Asian-small clawed otters can be found in India, China, and parts of Southeast Asia. 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. Contact us today. 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. They may look similar, but they are two different creatures. Levick recorded these behaviors as aberrations from the norm of nature. Together, we create evidence-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it. For example, if you see a creature with flippers and no tail or ears, its clearly a seal rather than an otter. However, when you add seals that arent true seals to the mix, the presence of ears can be a confounding factor. Spot the difference: Asian small-clawed otter, sea otter and beaver We shouldn't draw the curtains over the aspects of animal behavior. What makes each species unique, and what are the signs that make each one recognizable? 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. 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. Known as Pygoscelis adeliae to scientists, and as the Socially Awkward Penguin through memes, the Adlie penguin was one of the subjects that caught the attention of scientist George Murray Levick while he ventured to the South Pole with the 1910-13 Scott Antarctic Expedition. difference between sea otter and penguin - helozzsoap.com SeaQuest Blog Since river otters are much smaller, they are more prone to predators. Sea otters, conversely, are found only in salt water and rarely go on land. Seals are larger than otters, weighing a lot more than them and growing much longer. However, sea otters are only found in salt water and very rarely make their way onto land. They are found in Eastern North and Northern Pacific Ocean. Our work is focused on solving some of the greatest threats facing our ocean today. While sea otters use their two webbed hind feet and tail to propel them through the water, the four webbed feet of river otters are what enable them to swim efficiently. Most immediately noticeable is the difference in fur types river otters have short, sleek fur, while sea otters are distinctly fluffy, with long, fuzzy fur thats extremely dense and warm. Male sea otters can weigh up to 99 pounds, while female sea otters typically weigh around 44 pounds. The species are either aquatic or semi-aquatic depending on the species. A final difference between a river otter vs sea otter lies in their social behaviors and mating habits. What is the difference between the sea otter and the marine otter You might think an otter is an otter, but hopefully, this article showed you that while two creatures can be called otters, they are very different. When I first heard about the behavior from a marine biologist friend of mine, I didnt quite believe sea otters could be so diabolical. Daily activities focus on feeding and grooming, interspersed with rest periods. Theyre even known to wrap their babies in kelp to keep them safe and warm while theyre off hunting, and as the Marine Mammal Center describes, these pups end up bobbing up and down on the surface of the ocean like little corks! There are twelve different sub-species of river otter, but only three separate sub-species of the sea otter. 8 Difference Between Otter and Seal (With Table) Sea otters also notably have two very large back feet, webbed and streamlined for paddling and swift swimming in unpredictable ocean waters. Otters have long bodies and short legs, while seals have shorter bodies and longer flippers. Southern sea otters are considered an endangered species, while Asian small-clawed otters are vulnerable. The identity of a pair of repeat offenders held a clue. Well, they do. The Asian small-clawed otter's tail is long, with a sharp end. Levick was aghast because he viewed the penguins in human termsas little gents and dames dressed to the nines. 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. In addition to the sea otter being significantly bigger than the river otter, they also have different mating and parenting habits. 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. 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. Otters spend a substantial amount of time grooming, and many species of river otters have designated areas on land for . Though most species occur in cold-water environments. 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. 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. But if theres any marine vertebrate that wins the title of the squickiest, its dolphins. Their scientific name, Pinnipeds, says it all. Natural represents the world as it should besomething we feel estranged from and strive to get back. California Sea Lions live an average of 15 to 25 years, however some have lived to 30 years or more in captivity with proper diet and healthcare. 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. Terms & Conditions. SeaQuest is committed to protecting our worlds oceans and endangered animals. More commonly known as seals, they are a widely distributed and diverse group of fin-footed, semiaquatic, mostly marine mammals. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. Many people may not know this, but sea otters are much larger than river otters. They eat 15% of their body weight a day. Ribbon Seals have a maximum lifespan of about 30 years, but they likely live about 20 years. 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. The webbed feet of a sea otter. Some river otters can be found in wetlands and lakes. Sea Otter Vs River Otter (9 Key Differences) - Wildlife Informer One of the main differences between a river otter vs sea otter is their species or genus classification. Rhinoceros Facts Lion Facts Elephant Facts Giraffe Facts Flamingo Facts Chimpanzee Facts Penguin Facts Panda Facts Python Facts Great White Shark Facts Tiger Facts Skunk Facts Seal Facts Sea Turtle Facts Porcupine Facts Panther Facts Ostrich Facts Komodo Dragon Facts Hippopotamus Facts . Asian small-clawed otters are just the opposite. They are basically carnivores. 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. When it comes to distinguishing between river otters and sea otterswell, what is the difference, anyway? when actual inflation is less than expected inflation borrowers quizlet. Another interesting tidbit about penguins is that 15,000 years ago, they were actually able to tolerate a warming climate. Another significant difference is the number of offspring these creatures have. W178 CENTEX Centex Charmyland Saru Gorilla Sea Otter Walrus Penguin River otters weigh between 11 and 31 pounds. All pinnipeds (seals, sea lions and walruses) are protected in U.S. waters under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, according to NOAA. Seals are larger than otters, weighing a lot more than them and growing much longer. They are both weasel family members, as evident by their long, slender bodies. Charming, outgoing, and intelligent, otters are part of the. Answer: I can only speak about North American otters, of which there are two species: * Enhydra lutris - Generally called a "Sea Otter". Seal Vs Otter: What Are the Differences? - AZ Animals 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. Their bodies and feet are also shaped very differently as well. At Georgia Aquarium, we are home to two species of otter Asian small-clawed ottersandsouthern sea otters. Otters are smaller while seals are comparatively large when it comes to body size. For males, the difference is also significant a southern male grows up to 70 pounds while a northern male can reach up to 100 pounds! Our mission at Wildlife Informer is to share free information and pictures of wildlife with our readers. All rights reserved. I graduated from Rowan University in 2014 with degrees in English and Education. In addition, severe weather can make it difficult for sea otters to forage for and find food. Otters have dense fur that keeps them warm while seals have blubber that is deposited under the skin that keeps them warm. Next, the tail of a sea otter is short and flattened; a river otter . Finally, river otters can dive to around 60 feet deep, whereas sea otters, remarkably, can dive to several hundred feet to forage for food. Sea Otter - Animal profile, pictures, facts, range map It is slow moving, floats when killed, and is full of oil and baleen. Habitat degradation due to development and accidental bycatch from shrimp and fishing vessels also endanger these charismatic creatures. They can grow up to 4 feet and weigh up to 70 pounds. Adult sea otters may grow up to 5 feet in . Not only do these two creatures have different habitats, but they have both evolved fur to best suit those habitats. With this insight, you should have a better grasp as to what makes both river otters and sea otters special. (36kg) and over 5 ft. (1.5M) in length.. Many species of river otter inhabit coastal areas and are sometimes confused for sea otters. You Otter Know: The Difference Between Sea and River Otters 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. Theyre both known for spending a lot of time in the water, something that is unusual for mammals that dont spend their entire lives in water. 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. Dolphins kill other marine mammals and fish just for fun and commit infanticide. They include; walrus, eared seals, sea lions, fur seals, and earless seals. As Natural History Museum, London ornithologist Douglas Russell and colleagues reported in a preface to Levicks belatedly-released report, this behavior is so ingrained that when a researcher set out a dead penguin that had been frozen in such a position, many males found the corpse irresistible. In a bit of weird field work, the same researcher found that just the frozen head of the penguin, with self-adhesive white Os for eye rings, propped upright on wire with a large rock for a body, was sufficient stimulus for males to copulate and deposit sperm on the rock. I fear Ive just made the Socially Awkward Penguin seem just that much more socially awkward. This is especially problematic in Monterey Bay, where there are more male sea otters than females. 8 Fun Date Night Ideas in Salt Lake City. Although both seals and otters come in various sizes due to their many species, seals are almost always larger than otters. Posted on June 8, 2022 ; in pete davidson first snl episode; by Their fur is made up of a dense underfur, ranging in color from brown to black, and longer guard hairs. In Antarctica, the Adlie, chinstrap, and gentoo penguins flourished under warming that caused ice sheets to shrink. 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. The largest sea otters can weigh up to one hundred pounds, but river otters are much smaller. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. 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). Otters webbed paws are interesting because sea otters will hold hands with their partners, so they dont drift too far apart from their group. What we might perceive as aberrant behavior starts earlyespecially violence. Some seals have fur, but they are not considered true seals. Travailleur Autonome Gestion michigan department of corrections directory; Sea Otters have an average lifespan of 15-20 years but in captivity, some live over 25 years. Heres a quick snapshot of just some of the otter and seal species size ranges: Asian Small Clawed Otters are the smallest species of otter. The rehabilitated sea otters were released into an environment of intense competition and were at a disadvantage when it came time to find a mate. This inner layer keeps them warm, and the outer layer keeps them waterproof. But how do we tell the difference between river otters and sea otters? This is an important distinction to make, as sea otters are especially clumsy when they get on land! 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. Since southern sea otters are found in cooler waters, its important for their fur to be able to insulate them from the weather. 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. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. For as cute as they are while intertwining paws at an aquarium, frolicking among the wafting fronds of California kelp forests, or smashing sea urchins open with stones, some sea otters have developed the disturbing habit of humping and drowning baby seals. Sea otters also have longer bodies than river otters. While sea otters are found in the sea, Asian small-clawed otters are found in freshwater wetlands and mangrove swamps. There are so many amazing creatures that dwell in the waters of planet earth, and some of may seem so similar in nature, yet they are difficult to tell apart. There are nearly 2,000 different species! 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. These animals use both fur and blubber to keep warm, and that is one of many ways to differentiate between true seals and others. There are many distinguishing features between a river otter vs sea otter. Male river otters are extremely territorial, while sea otters form more friendships and bonds with one another overall. Thank you for reading! This is primarily due to the difference in habitat, but sea otters and river otters have different diets. They have a fat layer called blubber under their skin that makes them keep themselves warm during the cold season. The Asian small-clawed otter is "slimmer" and smaller, with smooth fur and a face that looks like it is smiling. Male giant otters average 26 to 34 kg (57-75 lbs. 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. Conversely, river otters mate with multiple partners during the course of their lives. Animals Differences and Comparison - Softschools.com Shocking behavior isnt the sole province of marine mammals. 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. Thus, an otter is more closely related to a wolverine than it is to a seal.
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