Lets take a look and some similarities, and differences, between these two amazingly fascinating animals! Without a doubt, dolphins are jerks. Their fur is made up of a dense underfur, ranging in color from brown to black, and longer guard hairs. Otters use two layers of dense fur to keep warm when they are submerged in the water, and that is most of their lives. Many of, Crocodiles are among the most terrifying animals of all time. Asian-small clawed otters can be found in India, China, and parts of Southeast Asia. Who will make it to the next round for a chance at a feature story? They average a length of 5 feet and weigh about 150 pounds. They are commonly known as pinnipeds. They have a fat layer called blubber under their skin that makes them keep themselves warm during the cold season. Sea Otters have an average lifespan of 15-20 years but in captivity, some live over 25 years. They feed on fish and shellfish. They are both weasel family members, as evident by their long, slender bodies. ), while females average 22 to 26 kg (49-57 lbs.). River otters also can often be found on the banks of the river. Sea otters mate for life, as many people know, but this is not the same for river otters. Sorry, but we failed to add you to the list. 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! Adult sea otters may grow up to 5 feet in . difference between sea otter and penguin. Conversely, sea otters only give birth to one pup and care for them until they are between eight and twelve months old. Our work is focused on solving some of the greatest threats facing our ocean today. I cant say I look forward to the day when scientists discover dolphin slurs. The marine otter simply lives near the ocean, diving in only to feed. All pinnipeds (seals, sea lions and walruses) are protected in U.S. waters under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, according to NOAA. About Us 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. Its without a doubt that otters are some of the most adorable mammals to ever grace the planet. They have the densest fur of all mammals at about 350,000 to 1,000,000 hairs per square inch. Plus, their overall diets, lifespans, and locations differ from one another, not to mention how different they are in appearance! Otters and seals have many things in common. 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. Another key difference between a river otter vs sea otter is their preferred locations and habitats. 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. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. 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. Dolphins kill other marine mammals and fish just for fun and commit infanticide. (36kg) and over 5 ft. (1.5M) in length.. Giant Otters have a smaller lifespan in the wild at about 10 years. Asian small-clawed otters spend more of their time on land than in water, which helps keep a stable body temperature. Sea otters also have longer bodies than river otters. Levick recorded these behaviors as aberrations from the norm of nature. Taxonomically speaking, river otters and sea otters are different genera. Sea otters are larger The Asian small-clawed otter's tail is long, with a sharp end. 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. Two out of those three species are now in decline. For example, the seal and otter are two animals that have a lot in common and are often confused for one another. Wildlife Informer is reader-supported. Sea otters have the densest fur in the entire animal kingdom with up to one million hairs covering each square inch of their body. These carnivorous mammals inhabit fresh and saltwater rivers. Otters have dense fur that keeps them warm while seals have blubber that is deposited under the skin that keeps them warm. In desperation, some male Adlie penguins tried to mate with the ground until they ejaculated. 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. And delphine sexual aggression isnt limited to members of their own kind. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for W178 CENTEX Centex Charmyland Saru Gorilla Sea Otter Walrus Penguin Rockhoppe at the best online prices at eBay! But the general idea is the same: if the otter isnt floating in the ocean, its most likely a river otter, and vice versa! Seals belong to the Phocidae family, and otters belong to the Mustelidae family. But if theres any marine vertebrate that wins the title of the squickiest, its dolphins. 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. The reason for this skew in the population is unclear, but it leaves male sea otters in a bind. Otters are mammals in the Mustelidae family. : Most all seal species are carnivorous. Both species face threats of pollution, habitat loss, and reduced food sources. 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. Since river otters are much smaller, they are more prone to predators. I'm a freelance writer with 8 years of experience. 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. 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. Partially due to that, its believed to be the most endangered cetacean in the world, a category that includes whales, dolphins, and porpoises. They have short limbs with webbed feet. Another major difference between sea otters and river otters is their mating habits. Otters fur has guard hairs on the outside layer that are used to keep them protected from moisture and to maintain body temperature. American Oceans, Quick Facts: Bioluminescence & What Causes It. 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. Did you know that sea otters mate for life? Learn More About Estate Planning. This goes both ways! Male sea otters compete with one another for mates. There are over 70 different species of cetacean. It has "toes" on its feet. Search. Seals belong to Phocidae, and otters belong to the Mustelidae, so they are not even close to being related. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Otters have paws and external ears while seals have flippers but do not have visible ears. When you click and buy we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Charming, outgoing, and intelligent, otters are part of the. Thank you for visiting! Dolphins have tried to force themselves on human swimmers, a prospect made all the more terrifying by the fact that they have prehensile penises. Thank you for reading! Finally, river otters can dive to around 60 feet deep, whereas sea otters, remarkably, can dive to several hundred feet to forage for food. For example, if you see a creature with flippers and no tail or ears, its clearly a seal rather than an otter. These two similarly named and look-alike animals are, in fact, very different. Its Easy To Do. Your Generous Gift Will Help Us Continue To Protect Our Ocean And Its Wildlife. With 13 species around the world, you can find an otter species located on almost every continent! 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. subfamily. Sea otters are bigger and thus have larger feet than river otters. More commonly known as seals, they are a widely distributed and diverse group of fin-footed, semiaquatic, mostly marine mammals. Terms & Conditions. Sea otters also notably have two very large back feet, webbed and streamlined for paddling and swift swimming in unpredictable ocean waters. Enter your email and never miss an update. The Northern fur seal and Nooded seal are vulnerable. Otters webbed paws are interesting because sea otters will hold hands with their partners, so they dont drift too far apart from their group. 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. Why are these male sea otters killing seals? Seals have flippers, no visible external ears, and a very small tail. Sea otters commit to one another and raise one pup at a time. These aquatic mammals split their time between the land and the water. They are found in Eastern North and Northern Pacific Ocean. Ocean Conservancy, International Coastal Cleanup, Trash Free Seas, Trash Free Seas Alliance, Global Ghost Gear Initiative, Urban Ocean and Clean Swell are registered trademarks of Ocean Conservancy. Otters spend a substantial amount of time grooming, and many species of river otters have designated areas on land for . Not all otters are created equal, especially when it comes to their 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. When it comes to having pups, one fact that distinguishes sea otters from river otters is the number of pups they have per litter. Its actually quite easy to understand the physical differences between sea otters and river otters once we understand that there is actually only one species of true sea otter. 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). Welcome back to March Sadness, ClimateProgress educational bracket tournament of animals impacted by climate change and other environmental threats. Red Wolf Population (Historically and Currently), Manatee Vs Dugong (Heres the Difference), 6 Types of Water Snakes in Illinois (Pictures). While visiting Adlie penguins rookeries, Levick was shocked by the activities of what he called hooligan cocks. Males accosted and copulated with other males, females that were injured, chicks that had tumbled from their nests, and corpses. 2Lemur vs. Koala; Panda vs. Wolverine (voting closed) WINNERS: Koala and Wolverine.Day 33/23: Fins and FlippersSea Lion vs. Sea Horse; Penguin vs. Manatee; Walrus vs. Sea Otter; Whale vs. Salmon (voting closed) WINNERS: Sea Horse, Sea Otter, Whale, and Penguin.Day 43/24: Horns and HoovesElephant vs. Horned Lizard; Rhino vs. Narwhal; Saola vs. Moose; Mountain Goat vs. Reindeer (voting closed) WINNERS: Elephant, Narwhal, Moose, and Mountain Goat.Day 53/25: Shells and WingsSea Turtle vs. Pelican; Sage Grouse vs. SeaQuest is committed to protecting our worlds oceans and endangered animals. There are 13 species of otters. We focus on how to be proactive in finding solutions. Graduating Southern Oregon University with a BFA in Theatre and a specialization in creative writing, I have an invested interest in a variety of topics, particularly Pacific Northwest history. 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. how to cancel quizlet subscription; denver criminal court docket; cody and caleb martin salary; how to remove a backwards bullet from the chamber For if such awful displays occurred in nature, what might that say about our own actions? Your best bet for differentiating these animals is to look for their ears, flippers, tails, size, and fur. While members of both otter subtypes love to swim, the swimming behaviors they engage in are quite distinct. Please try While floating on their backs, sea otters not only nap, but also use rocks to help them . There are quite a few to discuss, as river otters and sea otters belong to different genuses of animal. Have a question? 8 Fun Date Night Ideas in Salt Lake City. Privacy Policy. Both are marine mammals and have lungs that they use to breathe. 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. YES! However, sea otters are only found in salt water and very rarely make their way onto land. Another motherly difference is how these two creatures care for their young. While both animals are classified as otters, river otters are members of the Lontra genus, and sea otters are members of the Enhydra genus. Sea Otter Sea Otters are a larger species of otter. Or at least Im going to tarnish their reputation as some of the most charming little beasties in the seas. While it may be obvious, river otters are found in rivers while sea otters are found in the sea. Many species of river otter inhabit coastal areas and are sometimes confused for sea otters. They are also known as fin-footed mammals. The newborn is taken care of by the males, females, and other offspring. They have dense fur that enables them to keep warm. Their slow, quiet and sudden way. Please try again Make A Lasting Impact By Leaving A Gift To Ocean Conservancy In Your Will. difference between sea otter and penguin. Seals primarily eat fish, while otters eat a variety of items including fish, amphibians, crustaceans, and small mammals. Protect the Arctic from Future Oil Spills. They feed on fish, shellfish, penguins, and other marine creatures. Southern sea otters are considered an endangered species, while Asian small-clawed otters are vulnerable. The seal and otter are two animals that both love to call water home and have a face that can tell a thousand stories! Found in both saltwater and freshwater, a river otter lounges around riverbanks and swims with its belly down, keeping the majority of its body submerged below the water. But sea otters relationship with climate change goes two ways. Today, were in round two of the Sweet Sixteen, and the winners of our Fins and Flippers division are going head to head. Penguin: There are a lot of different types of penguins, and climate change is affecting all of them. I graduated from Rowan University in 2014 with degrees in English and Education. 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. Please try They spend their lives in water, and have many adaptations to their entirely aquatic lifestyle. Sea otters are larger than river otters. St. Patty's is coming Whats the difference between sea otters and river otters? The ordeal must have been horrific for the seals. Males are larger compared to their female counterparts. This results in river otters having short, sleek fur, while sea otters have long, fuzzy fur. Thus, an otter is more closely related to a wolverine than it is to a seal. 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. 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. They are comparatively larger in body size. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Site by Thrive Web Designs, Otters are one of the most fascinating and charismatic marine mammal species. They display sexual dimorphism. A final difference between a river otter vs sea otter lies in their social behaviors and mating habits. 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. However, river otters prefer to eat fish, frogs, crayfish, birds, and reptiles, while sea otters enjoy sea urchins, clams, crabs, and seaweed. Their familial units are very strong, while river otters tend to lead solitary lives. They weigh 1-5 kg (2-11 pounds). We shouldn't draw the curtains over the aspects of animal behavior. The main difference between otter and seal is that Otters are comparatively smaller in body size while seals are comparatively larger in body size. 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. It is a grave mistake to see the so-called "depravity" of penguins, dolphins, and otters in the same way as our own behavior. River otters can be found in pairs, but they tend to spend time with other otters in a more casual way. They are unique sea creatures because they are the only marine mammals that can flip over rocks and boulders on the sea floor to find food. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 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! Email Us, Board of Fisheries and Game: Actions & Activities, Threatened, Endangered, and Diversity Program, Alaska Resources Library and Information Services (ARLIS), About the Division of Commercial Fisheries, Western Alaska Salmon Stock Identification Program (WASSIP), Online General Season & Registration Permits, Subsistence and Personal Use Fishing Permits, CSIS Community Subsistence Information System, The Technical Papers and Special Publications Series, Special Status page for northern sea otter. African penguins are declining in part due to fluctuations in water temperature and increased storms on their breeding grounds. We bring people, science and policy together to champion innovative solutions and fight for a sustainable ocean. They entirely depend on meat for survival. In terms of colours, seals have thick fur coats that range from pale yellow to light grey and dark brown. Have some feedback for us? : Feed on frogs, crabs, crayfish, and shellfish. 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 dietary preferences and lifespans of river otters and sea otters differ as well. An adorable detail about sea otters is the fact that they hold paws when sleeping to avoid drifting away from their familial units. A river otter mother usually has between two and three babies, called pups. Its as easy as that! when actual inflation is less than expected inflation borrowers quizlet. 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. The species are either aquatic or semi-aquatic depending on the species. Some river otters can be found in wetlands and lakes. : Love to snack on small fish found close to shore banks, as well as amphibians such as frogs, and crustaceans such as crawdads. River otters are more petite. They include; walrus, eared seals, sea lions, fur seals, and earless seals. This makes people think that it is the same animal. Answer: I can only speak about North American otters, of which there are two species: * Enhydra lutris - Generally called a "Sea Otter". The webbed feet of a sea otter. * {{quote-news, year=2013, date=April 9, author=Andrei Lankov, title=Stay Cool. They are comparatively smaller in body size. With this insight, you should have a better grasp as to what makes both river otters and sea otters special. Sea Otter: We mentioned last time that sea otters are threatened by toxic algal blooms, which are exacerbated by climate change. Honor A Loved One's Milestone Or Memory With A Donation In Their Name. There is no animal that is made of rainbows and kisses and goodness all the way through. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. (label) A large number or quantity; a vast amount.A sea of faces stared back at the singer. Although seals and otters are often believed to be related, the truth is that they belong to completely different . Although both seals and otters come in various sizes due to their many species, seals are almost always larger than otters. Thanks for signing up for Ocean Conservancy emails. This only gets creepier given the recent suggestion that dolphins actually have names that they call one another. Their diets are reminiscent of their environments. The naturalistic fallacy refers to the misguided belief that whatever is natural is good. River otters and sea otters also have habitat preferences in these unique ecosystems. Taxonomically speaking, river otters and sea otters are different genera. 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. Unlike the common otter, sea otter's feet are webbed. (In the concluding paragraphs of On the Origin of Species, he observed that this view of life contains grandeur and horror alike.) We also share helpful tips and guides on a variety of topics related to animals and nature. are about 33 species in this family. As their name suggests, sea otters live in the sea! Conversely, river otters mate with multiple partners during the course of their lives. Not only do these two creatures have different habitats, but they have both evolved fur to best suit those habitats. There are twelve different sub-species of river otter, but only three separate sub-species of the sea otter. Both are adapted to keeping themselves warm in the water. The sea otter is the largest member of the weasel family. Sea otters are part of the weasel family. While both animals are classified as otters, river otters are members of the Lontra genus, and sea otters are members of the Enhydra genus. But how do we tell the difference between river otters and sea otters? Some seals have fur, but they are not considered true seals. 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 the U.S. the dwarf seahorse, one-inch-long seahorse, found in seagrass beds in the Gulf of Mexico, Florida and the Caribbean, is threatened with extinction due to decline of seagrass and lingering pollution from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, according to the Center for Biological Diversity. Although described as the smallest marine mammal this species is quite large as otters go, reaching as much as 80 lbs. Sea otters also have thicker fur, often with white markings, while river otters have sleeker fur to match their streamlined bodies. Previously, Brian Switek has written about mammoth end-times, and how feathery, fluffy dinosaurs killed the brontosaurus. 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. Sea otters eat sea urchins, seaweed, clams, and crabs. Not only is this useful for staying together, but it also keeps them away from the shore where many of their predators reside. 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 gestation period for otters lasts between 60 to 86 days while the gestation period for seals lasts between 9 months to 12 months. 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. River otters weigh between 11 and 31 pounds. Learn how to tell them apart quickly and easily! Vote in the embedded tweets below, on Twitter with the hashtag #CPMarchSadness, or on our Facebook page. While sea otters are found in the sea, Asian small-clawed otters are found in freshwater wetlands and mangrove swamps. 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). Well, they do. hold hands with other otters so they dont drift apart, Watch Five Giant River Otters Face-Off Against a Huge Jaguar, Watch a Group of Massive River Otters Defeat a Crocodile in Vicious Battle, Weight: 10lbs-99lbs Length: 2ft-6ft, Blubber deposits under the skin keep true seals warm, -Dense fur that has two layers, guard hairs, and insulating underfur, Spend equal amounts of time on land and in the water, Spend the vast majority of their time in the water. We know it can get otterly confusing to differentiate the species, so here are five ways to tell them apart! Seals are larger than otters, weighing a lot more than them and growing much longer. Habitat loss, water pollution, deforestation, and hunting threaten their survival. I've written in a variety of niches such as video games, animals, and managed service providers. The Key Differences Between Seal vs Otter. However, there some traits and features that make them different from each other. 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! In addition, severe weather can make it difficult for sea otters to forage for and find food. However, just because an otter is spotted on the coast does not mean its a sea otter. 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. Many creatures dwell in the water, and some of them are difficult to tell apart. The guard hairs can be brown to black to silver. They may look similar, but they are two different creatures. 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. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. If you travel further north to areas like the Alaskan seaboard, you could even find males weighing up to 100 pounds! They have the ability to walk but they prefer living in the oceans more than staying on the land. Otters are comparatively smaller while seals are larger in body size. Sea otters are generally diurnal. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. The maximum lifespan for male Nothern Elephant Seal is age 14; for females it is to age 20. This makes them very different animals, especially when you consider the fact that sea otters are the only members of their genus. The salty crew of Deep Sea News has been trying to counteract the cuddly image of dolphins for years. Ground squirrels, hyenas, and lions may eat infants of their own species just for a snack. The most common seal in the Arctic, the ringed seal is the smallest of the seal species. or contact 1.888.780.6763, Seafood Species Vulnerable to Climate Change. 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: Best Birthday Party Places in Fort Worth! River otter mothers care for their pups until they are between six and twelve months old. The limbs are modified into flippers. Sea otters are slow swimmers, while their river-living counterparts are rather agile. When I first heard about the behavior from a marine biologist friend of mine, I didnt quite believe sea otters could be so diabolical. Individual Behavior Grooming. 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). Otter endangered status varies by species and location. They spend time in the water foraging for mollusks, fish, frogs and crustaceans.