Darwin knew this well. Sea otters are part of the weasel family. Enter your email and never miss an update. The Asian small-clawed otter is "slimmer" and smaller, with smooth fur and a face that looks like it is smiling. They weigh 1-5 kg (2-11 pounds). One thing many people dont realize is just how much larger sea otters are compared to river otters. They weigh between 45kg to 3,200kg. 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. In addition to the difference in fur, river otters and sea otters have other differences in appearance. On average, seals are larger than otters. In addition to the sea otter being significantly bigger than the river otter, they also have different mating and parenting habits. unit 3: personal and business finance grade boundaries. A post shared by (@seaotter_03112602). We shouldn't draw the curtains over the aspects of animal behavior. Adult males weigh average about 700 pounds and 7 feet in length while females are a bit smaller at 250 pounds and 6 feet in length. I'm a freelance writer with 8 years of experience. Sorry, but we failed to add you to the list. This makes them very different animals, especially when you consider the fact that sea otters are the only members of their genus. Seals are larger than otters on average, and the largest members of the species make otters look positively tiny. Another motherly difference is how these two creatures care for their young. Maybe the bad behavior was just a rumor. Sea otters also have thicker fur, often with white markings, while river otters have sleeker fur to match their streamlined bodies. While it may seem obvious at first, you may not know all of the differences between a river otter vs sea otter. All rights reserved. But no, the strange sea otter attacks on baby seals are a reality and have even made their way into the technical literature. We focus on how to be proactive in finding solutions. 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. Such behavior led ornithologist Douglas Mock and colleagues to write Occasionally, the pen of natural selection writes a murder mystery on the pages of evolution. 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. But this should not be so. Georgia Aquarium, along with other zoos and aquariums, work tirelessly to educate and inspire guests, while providing our otters the best veterinary and nutritional care. Members of Phocidae are known as earless seals or true seals. 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. when actual inflation is less than expected inflation borrowers quizlet. 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. Greetings From the Vortex of Unpredictability, rapidly devours all the other unborn sharks, feathery, fluffy dinosaurs killed the brontosaurus. Southern sea otters are considered an endangered species, while Asian small-clawed otters are vulnerable. 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. Ribbon Seals have a maximum lifespan of about 30 years, but they likely live about 20 years. . As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 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. Your Generous Gift Will Help Us Continue To Protect Our Ocean And Its Wildlife. A painful and confusing end for the poor pups. The reason for this skew in the population is unclear, but it leaves male sea otters in a bind. Conversely, river otters mate with multiple partners during the course of their lives. Inside pregnant sand tiger sharks, for example, the first embryo to grow large enough rapidly devours all the other unborn sharks in its shared womb. It has "toes" on its feet. They are also known as fin-footed mammals. Cetaceans (whales, porpoises, and dolphins) are categorized into two main groups: baleen whales (mysticetes) and toothed whales (odontocetes). 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. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. All pinnipeds (seals, sea lions and walruses) are protected in U.S. waters under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, according to NOAA. In fact, the largest members of the seal species make otters look quite tiny. 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 generally diurnal. However, seals split their time on land and in the water almost evenly. 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. The gestation period for otters lasts between 60 to 86 days while the gestation period for seals lasts between 9 months to 12 months. While a southern sea otters fur maintains heat well in the cold water, their metabolism must work quickly to help keep the animal warm. Many species of river otter inhabit coastal areas and are sometimes confused for sea otters. For example, the seal and otter are two animals that have a lot in common and are often confused for one another. One naturalist was so thoroughly disgusted with the sexual behaviors of Adlie penguins that his observations were hidden from view for almost a century. 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. Natural represents the world as it should besomething we feel estranged from and strive to get back. All otters must continually groom their fur to maintain its insulating qualities. In contrast, sea otters actually have one layer of fur, which happens to be the densest fur of any other known animal. Sea otters have back feet that are larger than their front feet, and much larger than the feet of a river otter. 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. : Most all seal species are carnivorous. Which would you like to know more about? The limbs are modified into flippers. As their name suggests, sea otters live in the sea! Answer: I can only speak about North American otters, of which there are two species: * Enhydra lutris - Generally called a "Sea Otter". They entirely depend on meat for survival. For example, if you see a creature with flippers and no tail or ears, its clearly a seal rather than an otter. 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. The guard hairs can be brown to black to silver. They can grow up to 4 feet and weigh up to 70 pounds. are about 33 species in this family. Penguin: There are a lot of different types of penguins, and climate change is affecting all of them. Your best bet for differentiating these animals is to look for their ears, flippers, tails, size, and fur. difference between sea otter and penguin. The Key Differences Between Seal vs Otter. The identity of a pair of repeat offenders held a clue. The maximum lifespan for male Nothern Elephant Seal is age 14; for females it is to age 20. Its as easy as that! A 2010 study found that a toxin found in blue-green algae called microcystin had killed at least 21 California sea otters. Asian small-clawed otters have relatively short hair that consists of two layers a coarse, waterproof outer coat and a softer, finer layer that is used for warmth. difference between sea otter and penguinups insurance cost calculator. 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. how to cancel quizlet subscription; denver criminal court docket; cody and caleb martin salary; how to remove a backwards bullet from the chamber Otters are one of the most fascinating and charismatic marine mammal species. Sea otters also notably have two very large back feet, webbed and streamlined for paddling and swift swimming in unpredictable ocean waters. Its Easy To Do. There are quite a few to discuss, as river otters and sea otters belong to different genuses of animal. 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. Sea Otter: We mentioned last time that sea otters are threatened by toxic algal blooms, which are exacerbated by climate change. Slate is published by The Slate Group, a Graham Holdings Company. If you find these critters as otterly . Many people don't know the difference between sea otters and river otters but, with a little info, you'll be able to tell right away. A final difference between a river otter vs sea otter lies in their social behaviors and mating habits. 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. These carnivorous mammals inhabit fresh and saltwater rivers. Their gestation period is between 60 to 86 days. Vote below. The main difference between otter and seal is that Otters are comparatively smaller in body size while seals are comparatively larger in body size. Some river otters can be found in wetlands and lakes. They live in or near oceans. Please try : Feed on frogs, crabs, crayfish, and shellfish. 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. In other species, post-hatching battles begin almost immediately. nurse unit manager interview questions and answers australia. Although described as the smallest marine mammal this species is quite large as otters go, reaching as much as 80 lbs. 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. Their scientific name, Pinnipeds, says it all. Both are adapted to keeping themselves warm in the water. again or contact 1.888.780.6763. River otters also eat a different diet when compared to sea otters. 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. The Caribbean monk seal was declared. Since southern sea otters are found in cooler waters, its important for their fur to be able to insulate them from the weather. The most notable physical difference between this subspecies and its northern cousins is size. Although seals and otters are often believed to be related, the truth is that they belong to completely different . 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. Otters spend the vast majority of their time in the water, and they even sleep in the water. This makes them very different animals, especially when you consider the fact that sea otters are the only members of their genus. Another key difference between a river otter vs sea otter is their preferred locations and habitats. While it may be obvious, river otters are found in rivers while sea otters are found in the sea. They are one of the only mammals that use tools to help them hunt and feed, and they happen to have the densest fur of any other mammal on the planet. However, there some traits and features that make them different from each other. They feed on fish and shellfish. River otters actually have two layers of short, coarse fur. 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. Im not saying any of this to put down these animals. 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). This goes both ways! Asian small-clawed otters are just the opposite. River otters and sea otters have different lifespans. All contents 2023 The Slate Group LLC. There seems to be no crime too low for these penguins, he confided to his journal. . When you click and buy we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. It is a grave mistake to see the so-called depravity of penguins, dolphins, and otters in the same way as our own behavior. Who will you choose? The victims that were necropsied by veterinarians had lesions around the nose, eyes, flippers, and genitals, including perforations in the vaginal and rectal tracts. 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. 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. If you see a vast creature, then its probably a seal and not an otter. When it comes to distinguishing between river otters and sea otterswell, what is the difference, anyway? Why are these male sea otters killing seals? This is an important distinction to make, as sea otters are especially clumsy when they get on land! 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! Sea Otters have an average lifespan of 15-20 years but in captivity, some live over 25 years. Their tails alone can grow to 24 inches!. Both seals and otters can vary a great deal in their sizes owing to their various species. The dark side of superficially cute animals is a part of their nature that reminds us that the wild does not exist for our entertainment and whimsy. The elephant seal can weigh up to 6,000lbs and grows 20ft long. Lets dive in and get started! Sea otters are hardly the only marine animals to behave in ways that make us cringe. They are found in Eastern North and Northern Pacific Ocean. North American River Otters weigh between 10 pounds to 25 pounds and grow up to 3 feet in length. They are purely carnivorous and eat a hefty diet of fish, crabs, small caimans, and small anacondas. 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. Learn how to tell them apart quickly and easily! 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. The key differences between seals and otters are size, family, and their method of thermoregulation. 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! Vote in the embedded tweets below, on Twitter with the hashtag #CPMarchSadness, or on our Facebook page. Thank you for visiting! 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. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. 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. American Oceans, Quick Facts: Bioluminescence & What Causes It. 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. We think of otters as the cute little aquatic creatures who float on their backs and rub their cheeks in viral videos. There are only 450 left in the world. 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. They are not very graceful on land because of their flippers, but they manage to move very well in the water. Habitat degradation due to development and accidental bycatch from shrimp and fishing vessels also endanger these charismatic creatures. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. While both animals are classified as otters, river otters are members of the Lontra genus, and sea otters are members of the Enhydra genus. union county latest news The newborn is taken care of by the males, females, and other offspring. Length of Lions Mane Jellyfish vs Blue Whale. They have flippers and do not have visible ears. I've written in a variety of niches such as video games, animals, and managed service providers. Another major difference between sea otters and river otters is their mating habits. 2. Partially due to that, its believed to be the most endangered cetacean in the world, a category that includes whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Terms & Conditions. They consume around 10 lbs of food per day. Please try again The Asian small-clawed otter's tail is long, with a sharp end. These two different animals have their key differences, but one thing is for sure: theyre all still otterly loveable wildlife all the same! 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. Can You Eat Clownfish and How Does It Taste? 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. 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. 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)! Sea otters must groom regularly to help maintain the insulation. They are comparatively larger in body size. Red Wolf Population (Historically and Currently), Manatee Vs Dugong (Heres the Difference), 6 Types of Water Snakes in Illinois (Pictures). Dolphins kill other marine mammals and fish just for fun and commit infanticide. Otters spend a substantial amount of time grooming, and many species of river otters have designated areas on land for . A river otter mother usually has between two and three babies, called pups. 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). The most famous in the United States, the California seal lion can be found all along the West coast of North America. Sea otters eat sea urchins, seaweed, clams, and crabs. 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. (label) A large number or quantity; a vast amount.A sea of faces stared back at the singer. Sea otters carry their young on their stomachs to keep them safe until they are ready to swim by themselves. While both species enjoy the company of many otters, sea otters form powerful partnerships with their chosen mate. Their familial units are very strong, while river otters tend to lead solitary lives. Sorry, but we failed to add you to the list. difference between sea otter and penguin. Their swimming mechanisms are also a little different. Lastly, seals use blubber under their thick skin to keep them warm when they spend time in the water, but otters have dense, two-layered fur that keeps them insulated. Did you know that sea otters mate for life? Sea otters arent only heftier than river otterstheir fur is also quite distinguishable. Ocean Conservancy is working with you to protect the ocean from todays greatest global challenges. * {{quote-news, year=2013, date=April 9, author=Andrei Lankov, title=Stay Cool. Without a doubt, dolphins are jerks. Sea otters commit to one another and raise one pup at a time. Otters webbed paws are interesting because sea otters will hold hands with their partners, so they dont drift too far apart from their group. 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. 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. There are 13 species of otters in the world, with 12 of those species requiring access to freshwater and only one species residing in the ocean. Another difference between river otters and sea otters is their appearance. Some local populations, such as Gray seals in the Baltic Sea, are endangered. There are a few exceptions: The Galpagos fur seal and the Monk seal are both now have an Endangered status. What makes each species unique, and what are the signs that make each one recognizable? Otter endangered status varies by species and location. 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. With the help of donors like you, Ocean Conservancy is developing innovative solutions to save our ocean. African penguins are declining in part due to fluctuations in water temperature and increased storms on their breeding grounds. The most common seal in the Arctic, the ringed seal is the smallest of the seal species. The salty crew of Deep Sea News has been trying to counteract the cuddly image of dolphins for years. 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. Thank you for reading! They are both weasel family members, as evident by their long, slender bodies. Otter belongs to the Mustelidae family while the seal belongs to the Phocidae family. And baby Magellanic penguins in Argentina are dying at an unprecedented rate due to heavy rains, strong storms and heat. 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. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Site by Thrive Web Designs, Otters are one of the most fascinating and charismatic marine mammal species. Not only do these two creatures have different habitats, but they have both evolved fur to best suit those habitats. Taxonomically speaking, there is actually only one species of sea otter! Thank you for reading! This makes people think that it is the same animal. These aquatic mammals split their time between the land and the water. They have a fat layer called blubber under their skin that makes them keep themselves warm during the cold season. There are 13 species of otters. The Mustelidae family is very unique and encompasses about 70 different species of animals including otters, wolverines, badgers, and more. We focus on how to be proactive in finding solutions. They spend their lives in water, and have many adaptations to their entirely aquatic lifestyle. We know it can get otterly confusing to differentiate the species, so here are five ways to tell them apart! They give birth on the land. Asian-small clawed otters can be found in India, China, and parts of Southeast Asia. Additionally, river otters have a very different social structure from sea otters, often preferring solitude over a sea otters committed family structure. SeaQuest is committed to protecting our worlds oceans and endangered animals. Seals and otters are easy to tell apart if you know where to look. Southern sea otters are approximately four feet in length and weigh on average between 45-65 pounds. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. 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.