Thus, an otter is more closely related to a wolverine than it is to a seal. Copyright 2023. Seals are larger than otters, weighing a lot more than them and growing much longer. All rights reserved. Otter belongs to the Mustelidae family while the seal belongs to the Phocidae family. : Feed on crabs, clams, mussels, sea urchins, and abalone. Otters spend a substantial amount of time grooming, and many species of river otters have designated areas on land for . Learn more. However, seals split their time on land and in the water almost evenly. They are also known as fin-footed mammals. Many creatures dwell in the water, and some of them are difficult to tell apart. 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. 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. Their bodies and feet are also shaped very differently as well. While members of both otter subtypes love to swim, the swimming behaviors they engage in are quite distinct. River otters tend to eat frogs, fish, crayfish, reptiles, and birds. But this should not be so. While it may be obvious, river otters are found in rivers while sea otters are found in the sea. 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. Otters fur has guard hairs on the outside layer that are used to keep them protected from moisture and to maintain body temperature. Thanks for signing up for Ocean Conservancy emails. : They are huge eaters! St. Patty's is coming Whats the difference between sea otters and river otters? What makes each species unique, and what are the signs that make each one recognizable? Although its not a visible means of telling the creatures apart, knowing their family can help distinguish the creatures. Sea otters have back feet that are larger than their front feet, and much larger than the feet of a river otter. Sea otters must groom regularly to help maintain the insulation. They move to land to escape some predators like sharks. A final difference between a river otter vs sea otter lies in their social behaviors and mating habits. If a male cant find a mate because of his youth or inability to chase off competitors, Harris and co-authors suggest, he might search for a female surrogate that may take the form of a young otter or, as in their study, seal pups. Sea otters are slow swimmers, while their river-living counterparts are rather agile. 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). From their curious faces to their charming behaviors, the otters of the world have earned the title of many nature lovers favorite creatures. They have blubber that is deposited below the skin. 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. Although seals and otters are often believed to be related, the truth is that they belong to completely different families. 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. Careers, 2023 SeaQuest, All Rights Reserved. If you spot an otter in the Chesapeake Bay, its a river otter, whereas if you spot one in Monterey Bay (especially in the water), the chances are high that its a sea otter. They weigh between 45kg to 3,200kg. 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. You may already have an idea as to what makes river otters and sea otters look so different from one another. 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. Ribbon Seals have a maximum lifespan of about 30 years, but they likely live about 20 years. They can grow up to 4 feet and weigh up to 70 pounds. Learn More About Estate Planning. 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. Sea otters often float at the water's surface in forests of kelp, or giant seaweed, and entangle themselves to keep from moving in the rolling sea. Southern sea otters are approximately four feet in length and weigh on average between 45-65 pounds. 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! 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. They are comparatively smaller in body size. River otters also can often be found on the banks of the river. 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. The newborn is taken care of by the males, females, and other offspring. Its as easy as that! River otter mothers care for their pups until they are between six and twelve months old. Not only is this useful for staying together, but it also keeps them away from the shore where many of their predators reside. Both seals and otters can vary a great deal in their sizes owing to their various species. 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. They include; walrus, eared seals, sea lions, fur seals, and earless seals. Darwin knew this well. Sea otters eat sea urchins, seaweed, clams, and crabs. They feed on fish and shellfish. There are twelve different sub-species of river otter, but only three separate sub-species of the sea otter. difference between sea otter and penguin. 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 . Not to worry, friends. Otter endangered status varies by species and location. Parents can be as bad as siblings. At Arctic Tundra we've created a habitat just like the grassy tundra near Point Hope, Alaska - and filled it with massive muskoxen. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. American Oceans, Quick Facts: Bioluminescence & What Causes It. They have a very thick layer of fur on their bodies that enables them to keep themselves warm during the cold season. 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. However, when you add seals that arent true seals to the mix, the presence of ears can be a confounding factor. All pinnipeds (seals, sea lions and walruses) are protected in U.S. waters under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, according to NOAA. difference between sea otter and penguinhazbin hotel cherri bomb removed. Many people may not know this, but sea otters are much larger than river otters. Both are adapted to keeping themselves warm in the water. Asian small-clawed otters are just the opposite. 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. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. difference between sea otter and penguin. The underfur is the layer closest to the body, and this fur functions to insulate their body and keep warm in very cold conditions. 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. The most notable physical difference between this subspecies and its northern cousins is size. Most seal species are currently not considered endangered, according to the IUCN Red List. A post shared by (@seaotter_03112602). 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. The sea otter (Enhydra lutris) can be split into two regional subspecies. While it may seem obvious at first, you may not know all of the differences between a river otter vs sea otter. They average a length of 5 feet and weigh about 150 pounds. Thats quite the size difference! Answer: I can only speak about North American otters, of which there are two species: * Enhydra lutris - Generally called a "Sea Otter". Have some feedback for us? Some river otters can be found in wetlands and lakes. Levick recorded these behaviors as aberrations from the norm of nature. Please try again They are both weasel family members, as evident by their long, slender bodies. Both species face threats of pollution, habitat loss, and reduced food sources. Im going to ruin sea otters for you. : Most all seal species are carnivorous. 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. 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. The pups learn their mothers voice to avoid confusion of the mother feeding another seals pups. For example, sea lions are sometimes believed to be seals, but that is not the case. Whats the Difference Between a Dolphin and Shark? (label) A large number or quantity; a vast amount.A sea of faces stared back at the singer. There are nearly 2,000 different species! We focus on how to be proactive in finding solutions. However, we noticed a conundrum that many readers seem to get themselves into. 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 that's extremely dense and warm. RETWEET for Penguin or FAVE for Sea Otter #CPMarchSadness http://t.co/lzQh1SAaxZ pic.twitter.com/D7Tlow3Pad, Climate Progress (@climateprogress) March 27, 2015. These two different animals have their key differences, but one thing is for sure: theyre all still otterly loveable wildlife all the same! Sea otters commit to one another and raise one pup at a time. As their name suggests, sea otters are adorable mammals that barely leave their saltwater homes. When you click and buy we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Still, the attempts to mate with seals requires an explanation. Later researchers rediscovered what Levick had seen. Many species of river otter inhabit coastal areas and are sometimes confused for sea otters. Ocean Conservancy is working with you to protect the ocean from todays greatest global challenges. Charming, outgoing, and intelligent, otters are part of the. River otters are more petite. Fur seals are not members of Phocidae, and they are not true seals either. : Love to snack on small fish found close to shore banks, as well as amphibians such as frogs, and crustaceans such as crawdads. 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. 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! This inner layer keeps them warm, and the outer layer keeps them waterproof. As their name suggests, sea otters live in the sea! They are also captured for the exotic pet trade in some countries and several species are still trapped and killed for their fur. Cetaceans (whales, porpoises, and dolphins) are categorized into two main groups: baleen whales (mysticetes) and toothed whales (odontocetes). Sea otters must eat 20-25% of their body weight to maintain their body temperature. 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. Privacy Policy. Seals primarily eat fish, while otters eat a variety of items including fish, amphibians, crustaceans, and small mammals. The distinction between these two is important: the sea otter will spend its entire life floating in the ocean, swimming, feeding, and reproducing. 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). When they are not in the water, river otters forage the land for food and build burrows or dens for their young. 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. Shocking behavior isnt the sole province of marine mammals. Scientists believe this difference is due to the size difference between the two creatures. While both animals are classified as otters, river otters are members of the Lontra genus, and sea otters are members of the Enhydra genus. Otters have paws and external ears while seals have flippers but do not have visible ears. Keep reading to learn more about what makes each of these species unique. 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. River otters weigh between 11 and 31 pounds. SeaQuest Blog Now, however, its differentthere is too little sea ice, which is impacting the food supply. The reason for this skew in the population is unclear, but it leaves male sea otters in a bind. Sea otters also have longer bodies than river otters. This is primarily due to the difference in habitat, but sea otters and river otters have different diets. Though they may look similar, there are distinct differences between the two. We focus on how to be proactive in finding solutions. Who will make it to the next round for a chance at a feature story? The majority of river otters mate with multiple otters throughout the course of their lives, and they may have multiple litters in a year. They are found in Eastern North and Northern Pacific Ocean. 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)! For example, sea otters are much larger than river otters in both length and weight. These carnivorous mammals inhabit fresh and saltwater rivers. 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. The elephant seal can weigh up to 6,000lbs and grows 20ft long. nurse unit manager interview questions and answers australia. Their swimming mechanisms are also a little different. Conversely, river otters mate with multiple partners during the course of their lives. Partially due to that, its believed to be the most endangered cetacean in the world, a category that includes whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Penguin: There are a lot of different types of penguins, and climate change is affecting all of them. Some local populations, such as Gray seals in the Baltic Sea, are endangered. They consume around 10 lbs of food per day. 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. Who will win? This makes them very different animals, especially when you consider the fact that sea otters are the only members of their genus. 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. The marine creatures also serve as fighters of climate change: their main preysea urchinslike to eat kelp, so by keeping the sea urchin population at a sustainable level, they keep kelp forests lush. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Sea Otter: We mentioned last time that sea otters are threatened by toxic algal blooms, which are exacerbated by climate change. They also feed on invertebrates and small animals found in the sea. However, just because an otter is spotted on the coast does not mean its a sea otter. This isnt where their social behavioral differences end, however. Sea Otter Sea Otters are a larger 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. These two similarly named and look-alike animals are, in fact, very different. There are a few exceptions: The Galpagos fur seal and the Monk seal are both now have an Endangered status. Their tails alone can grow to 24 inches!. 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! 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. It is a grave mistake to see the so-called "depravity" of penguins, dolphins, and otters in the same way as our own behavior. Whereas a female southern sea otter grows up to 50 pounds, a female northern sea otter can weigh up to 70 pounds. The key differences between seals and otters are size, family, and their method of thermoregulation. You might not be able to tell by looking at them, but river otters and sea otters have very different fur. 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. I cant say I look forward to the day when scientists discover dolphin slurs. 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. Individual Behavior Grooming. The Northern fur seal and Nooded seal are vulnerable. Additionally, river otters have a very different social structure from sea otters, often preferring solitude over a sea otters committed family structure. Otters have long bodies and short legs, while seals have shorter bodies and longer flippers. Since southern sea otters are found in cooler waters, its important for their fur to be able to insulate them from the weather. A painful and confusing end for the poor pups. 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. 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. Asian small-clawed otters spend more of their time on land than in water, which helps keep a stable body temperature. Contact us today. Please try Young cattle egrets will peck and harass weaker siblings, going so far to push them out of the nest and to their doom.
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