The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) is a semiaquatic mammal in the weasel family.While it may simply be called the "river otter" in North America (to distinguish it from the sea otter) there are other river otter species throughout the world. Necrophilia? The density of otter fur is 110-125 thousand hairs per 1 cm². Otters are known to be pretty incredible hunters, living off a diet of mostly seafood. The sea otter (Enhydra lutris) is rare, completely marine otter. Let’s hope they don’t develop a taste for people! A lot of species of otters were once at risk of becoming extinct due to their highly sought-after fur. Some of the best known are the giant otter, the sea otter, the European otter, the Northern river otter among others. Otters regularly engage in many activities that appear to be positively precious, for instance, sea otters may hold eachothers hand to keep from floating away from eachother. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. Giant Otter Facts. Sea otters are unique in the otter family as the only species to give birth in the water. That can double though with one in captivity. Fact 1 Male otters are generally known as meowters. Otters are long and slim animals with four short legs that can be longer than a meter. As the world becomes more and more polluted otter populations become more and more at risk. Facts About Otters. Sea otters can hold their breather underwater for more than 5 minutes, and river otters can hold theirs for more than 8! They are friendly and playful which is why they’re one of the well-loved animals in the world. What's weirder are a) otters's tendencies to menace baby seals, b) the fact that male otters kill an awful lot of the female otters with whom they copulate, and c) the necrophilia. Search YouTube and you’ll find dozens of clips of otters speeding down waterslides. Lutrinae is a branch of the Mustelidae family, which also includes weasels, badgers, mink, and wolverines, among other animals. Sea otters have the densest fur of any mammal on earth, with 850,000 to one million hairs… This semiaquatic mammal has the weight of 11 to 30.9 lb or 5 to 14 kilograms. Learning Colors! There are 13 species of otter found all around the world. Nowadays this technique is still practiced in Bangladesh, where trained otters are used to chase fish into fishing nets. Weight of otter depends on their breed. Groups of sea otters are called ‘rafts’. Mishka is an asthmatic otter who uses an inhaler. People also call it North American river otter. As you can see there is plenty of information out there about Otters. They live in offshore forests of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera), and spend most of their active time foraging below the canopy. Otters spend the majority of their time on land but many people assume that they spend it in the water. Why Doesn't The U.S. Use The Metric System? The Sea Otter is the only species that have a shorter and less muscular tail. They aren’t related to the beaver but they are often mistaken for them. After eating, they wash themselves in the ocean, cleaning their coat with their teeth and paws. So … This means that we do not have the ability to breathe underwater. Sea Otter Facts: Families. These fuzzy little guys are unfortunately at risk though, so if you’re feeling inspired by these facts go and read more into them, and see what you can do to help! Fun Facts about River Otters. There are 13 species of otter around the world and many of them are endangered. North American river otters reach sexual maturity at two years of age. Otters are part of the Mustelidae family, which is a family of carnivorous mammals that includes skunks, weasels, wolverines, and badgers. North American Sea Otters are larger than Asian otters. Sea otters are carnivores in the family Mustelidae —a group of animals that also includes terrestrial and semi-aquatic forms such as weasels, badgers, skunks, fishers, minks, and river otters. Average weight of an adult female California sea otter is about 50 lbs. Each pup weighs about 5 ounces. Sea otter rafts are segregated: Groups of between two and 1,000 otters are either all males or females and their young. Currently the southern sea otter population is estimated at just above 3,000 animals. 4. There is a zoo in Japan that has tiny holes in the Otter enclosure allowing for people who visit the zoo to shake hands with the otters. Those that don’t know the males and females stay separated often assume this is a couple rather than a mother and a pup. Some are small river otters, and some are bigger sea otters. For instance, otters make use of rocks and other hard objects to pry open the shells of shellfish. There are 13 separate species in the world. It’s key to their survival to eat such great quantities, especially for sea otters, as they use up so much energy keeping themselves warm. An Otter can remain under water for up to 4 minutes. Here are four essential facts about sea otters: Related Content. One of the interesting facts is that they are one of the few mammals who know the use of tools. It ranges from 250,000 to a million hairs per square inch, according to the Defenders of Wildlife. Otters are the dogs of the water world, so it’s no small wonder that we humans have such affection for them. These days you'll find him teaching English and writing, while running his own campervan business. Otters are carnivorous mammals in the subfamily Lutrinae. Otter poop has such a unique smell that it has even ended up with its own name – spraint. Some of the best known are the giant otter, the sea otter, the European otter, the Northern river otter among others. Sea otters are unique in the otter family as the only species to give birth in the water. Fact 2 Except for the sea otter, the majority of otters spend time mainly on land. Otters are widely considered to be playful animals. As predators that are near the top of the food chain, otters are hugely important for keeping their environments balanced. Sea otters though, are the complete opposite. Male Otters are called boars, females are sows, and the offspring are pups. It can be fun to test out your knowledge as you go. Most species of otters actually spend their time on the banks of rivers and other bodies of water when they’re not hunting. If you want to pursue more about them, consider reading about their characteristics, habitat, and feeding habits. They are definitely meat eaters. This process actually makes the outer layer waterproof. It is native to the coasts of the northern and eastern North Pacific Ocean. They usually stay on all four legs, but they can stand up as well but they are expert swimmers and spend a lot of time in water. They are expert swimmers and spend much of their time hunting for prey in water, where they catch mainly fish and invertebrates. It is known as the common otter or northern river otter. In a bizarre turn away from their normal diet, there are some otters in the Shetland Islands in Scotland which have been known to hunt rabbits instead of fish. Sea otters can hold their breath underwater for more than 5 minutes, and river otters can hold theirs for more than 8 minutes! Here’s 6 fascinating facts about otters… 1 – There are 13 different species of otter on the planet These are: Eurasian otters, smooth-coated otters, Asian small-clawed otters, hairy-nosed otters, sea otters, North American river otters, Neotropical otters, Giant otters, Southern river otters, marine otters, African clawless otters, Congo clawless otters and spotted-necked otters. April 15, 2015, cherran, Leave a comment. - Sourc Amazing Facts About the Otter The European or Eurasian otter is often referred to as the common otter. Wild sea otters typically have a lifespan between 15 and 20 years. Offspring venture out on their own before their mother gives birth to her next litter. It’s quite common for a mother and her pup to hold each other’s hands so that they don’t drift away from each other while they sleep. Furry, playful and very, very smart, otters are beloved for their adorable antics and sweet appearance. Sea Otters have joined the ranks of ducks, chickens, pigs, whales, horses, and elephant seals, all animals that can contract influenza.According to a study by the U.S. Geological Survey, sea otters living in a remote area in Washington state were carriers of the H1N1 virus. The charismatic otter, a member of the weasel family, is found on every continent except Australia and Antarctica. Otters are small marine mammals that play an important role in any ecosystem that they belong to. The Sleep Habits of Your Favorite Animals [Infographic], 12 Captivating Facts About Corgis That You Should Know, 10 Encouraging Health Benefits Of Exercising, 200 Fun Facts That’ll Actually Make Your Life Better. I recently found out that sea otters fall asleep holding paws and my heart has never been so full. The females are called queens and the offspring are referred to as pups. River otters are much more likely to take another animal’s home instead of building their own. 1. A group of otters is called a romp. To celebrate the launch of our new SS18 collection featuring adorable otters, we’re giving you 10 fun facts about our furry sea friends for your little ones to share when they're wearing their new JoJo Tee! This comes in handy when mothers leave their pups safely floating on the water’s surface while they forage for food. Otters are born with their eyes closed, and as soon as they open they have a lot to learn like swimming and hunting. Otters have the densest fur of the animal kingdom. This density of wool does not allow the otters to get wet in the water. Find out if you are a sea otter specialist by checking your info against these fascinating sea otter facts. River otters are underwater acrobats that are known for their social and playful behavior and have been observed sliding down slippery slopes for fun. They may sometimes come to shore, but they spend the majority of time in the water, hanging around kelp forests. 7. Some are small river otters, and some are bigger sea otters. Photo by U.S. Its ears and nostrils are closed down in water. OTTER FACTS FOR KIDS! Most live on shorelines of freshwater rivers and lakes, but a few hunt along seaside coasts. 1. Otters consume mainly fish but many people think that they eat plants and berries. 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