They are active during the day and at night, hunting in streams, rivers and ponds for fish, crayfish and turtles. Female otters in the California region can weigh up to 60 pounds, while males can weigh up to 90 pounds. Thus otters both prey on and protect salmon. Our ocean faces many threats like the onslaught of ocean trash, overfishing and ocean acidification. The researchers found four prior scientific publications documenting attacks, including one that reported a deadly otter attack in India. When it comes to having pups, one fact that distinguishes sea otters from river otters is the number of pups they have per litter. Animals lose heat much more rapidly in water than they do on land. Sometimes river otters will travel between 10 and 18 miles (16 and 29 km) in search of food. The camera, positioned on the banks of the brook that leads into the River Trent, has recently captured numerous images of otter activity. The giant otter or giant river otter ( Pteronura brasiliensis) is a South American carnivorous mammal. River otters are underwater acrobats that are known for their social and playful behavior and have been observed sliding down slippery slopes for fun. The river where the Otter plays is winding and mysterious, it is a medium of fluid intuition. Thanks for signing up for Ocean Conservancy emails. We’re dedicated to working with indigenous communities, legislators, scientists and people like you to advocate for science-based solutions to protect this fragile ecosystem. I didn't know if they were curious or aggressive, but I backed up the high ground a little more and then they swam away. Otters spend a lot of time exploring the spraint of others. Ocean Conservancy, International Coastal Cleanup, Ocean Action Network, Trash Free Seas, Trash Free Seas Alliance and Rippl are registered trademarks of Ocean Conservancy. However, river otters also hunt in the eelgrass beds of our local bays, which serve as nurseries for all sorts of small fish, including salmon. Otters live near lakes or ponds and burrow in ditches, so interaction with people can occur. This skill must be learned by the young. River otters are considered as a versatile animal because they can live on land and water. When river otters hunt in the eelgrass beds, they frighten away the larger fish that prey on the small nursery fish. River otters have an amazing physiological adaptation that may help their young to survive. Spraint deposits are usually spread out around 131 – 230 ft (40 to 70 meters) apart. Sea otters are awful. They generally forage in the water, but they can also hunt on land. You know, they really appear to love everything they do. The river otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur. However, just because an otter is spotted on the coast does not mean it’s a sea otter. Among many communities in Brazil, however, giant river otters are a … “River Otter.” Biology Dictionary. 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. This delayed implantation is called embryo diapause and may occur so that the female does not have to raise young during the winter months. Sea otters’ have the densest fur in the entire animal kingdom with up to one million hairs covering each square inch of their body. While the females are similarly much smaller than the males at 10-20 pounds, male river otters only reach a maximum size of around 30 pounds. They have long, narrow bodies, with long tails and short legs. River otter dens are along the water in abandoned burrows or empty hollows. In 2010, veterinarian Heather Harris and her co-authors Stori Oates, Michelle Staedler, Tim Tinker, David Jessup, James Harvey, and Melissa Miller published an article in Aquatic Mammals documenting about 19 cases of sea otters attacking baby seals. Bobcats, alligators, coyotes, raptors, and other large predators will sometimes prey on North American river otters. It also means that an absent friend will return soon. This playful behavior is not only social but teaches otters several survival skills. Their home range can be as large as 30 square miles (78 square kilometers), but usually, their territory is much smaller, between 3 and 15 square miles (4.8 to 24 square kilometers). Msg & data rates may apply. This means that even in warm water, aquatic mammals lose heat quickly. They mark their territory by urinating, defecating, scratching, and rubbing their scent glands on rocks and trees. Some otters are experts at opening shellfish, and others will feed on available small mammals or birds. Most species of river otter are monogamous and pair for life, and it was clear that both otters were suffering from loneliness, so their homes started looking for potential partners for them. Otters have small, rounded ears, and long sensitive whiskers to help them feel the vibrations of their prey. These otters have brown-to-gray fur, and their undersides are a lighter, silvery shade. River otters were an essential part of the fur-bearing trade and still are, with China and Russia the biggest consumers, DePerno said. Far-right violence got Parler kicked off They are also threatened by habitat loss and pollution that has occurred since European’s colonized North America. The female gives them a helping hand by pushing them from the den into the water! Prey-dependence leaves otters very vulnerable to prey depletion. Otters have a high metabolic rate, an adaptation for living in an aquatic environment where body heat is rapidly lost. River otters make dens along the water in empty holes or abandoned burrows. North American river otters, also called Canadian otters, have long, muscular, streamlined bodies with short legs and fully webbed feet bearing non-retractable claws. Their habitats can be both marine and freshwater. From their curious faces to their charming behaviors, the otters of the world have earned the title of many nature lovers’ favorite creatures. Sea otters aren’t only heftier than river otters—their fur is also quite distinguishable. But around the turn of the 19th century, overhunting and a lack of wildlife management decimated the river otter population in North Carolina’s mountains and Piedmont. River otters have a special coat fur. The otter is adapted to exist in the aquatic environment, and to be able to get sustenance from the environment, qualities that we all need in the waking life. Both otters have their own adorable way of caring for their young and making them feel at home, too. 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. Let’s take a closer look. If you’re on a river in the middle of the North American continent, far away from any seaboard: it’s a river otter. The dens have entrances underwater so that they can be reached from the water. River otter definition is - any of various Old and New World otters (especially genera Lutra and Lontra); especially : one (Lontra canadensis) of Alaska, Canada, and the conterminous U.S. found in aquatic environments from marine coastal regions to high mountains. One way that otters can counteract this is by having higher metabolic rates than land mammals of a similar size. 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)! It may seem obvious, but if all else fails—the fastest way to tell what type of otter you’re observing is to examine its environment. These two different animals have their key differences, but one thing is for sure: they’re all still otterly loveable wildlife all the same! According to the research, river otters are a “sentinel species,” meaning they often are affected by exposure to contaminants before other species register those changes. For most otters, fish is the staple of their diet. The female will then spend all her time hunting to increase her body fat. River otters are nocturnal hunters. Hence, their swimming skills are not as great as the sea otters. Edit. River Otter. Sea otters spend most of their time in the water, only occasionally climbing onto land, but river otters stay on land for the majority of the time and go swimming in order to find prey. If her body fat is high enough when she retreats to her den, the eggs implant. River otters are very messy eaters—but they really appear to love eating. These otters have muscular and streamlined bodies, short legs, and webbed feet with non-retractable claws. The higher metabolic rate means that the river otters must take in more calories, which is why they are regularly eating. (2020, August 19). However, otters can be aggressive when necessary. They are notable for their ability to use stones to break open shellfish on their stomachs. Their webbed feet and muscular tail help them to move quickly through the water. However, just because an otter is spotted on the coast does not mean it’s a sea otter. Terms and Conditions. The river otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur. The dens have entrances underwater so they can be easily accessed from the water. This is however different to the river otters. The reproductive biology of river otters and all other weasels is complex because of a characteristic known as delayed implantation. All otters have webbed feet to help propel them through the water, and most species have sharp claws. The pups are blind and helpless when born. However, we noticed a conundrum that many readers seem to get themselves into. Although they live alone or in pairs, these otters often socialize in groups and are known for their playful behavior. 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. The higher metabolic rate means that the river otters must take in more calories, which is why they are regularly eating. River otters use their scent to mark their territorial boundaries. Embryo Diapause “River Otter.”, Biologydictionary.net Editors. Due to their webbed feet and muscular tails, it comes as no surprise that river otters are excellent swimmers. fewer sea urchins -> more kelp -> less global warming. again or contact 1.888.780.6763. The female is responsible for rearing the pups. A higher metabolic rate enables them to generate more body heat. It’s without a doubt that otters are some of the most adorable mammals to ever grace the planet. It is the longest member of the weasel family, Mustelidae, a globally successful group of predators, reaching up to 1.7 metres (5.6 ft). River otters have a high metabolism, which keeps them warm when they are in the water. Instead, the cubs or pups are usually born the following March after a gestation period of around 60 days. A river otter’s metabolic rate is approximately 50% higher than a similarly sized land mammal’s. Male hippos even use their tail to distribute their excrement as a kind of muck-spreader! With the help of donors like you, Ocean Conservancy is developing innovative solutions to save our ocean. Periodic messages. The noises are definitely river otter noises by the sounds and they were actually coming closer and closer, which made me really nervous, as at the time, I didn't even know if they were beavers or otters, but didn't really care. It may seem obvious, but if all else fails—the fastest way to tell what type of otter you’re observing is to examine its environment. River otters spend most of their life inland and only go to the waters to find prey. The river is filled with feminine qualities, that of flow and gentle pools of stillness, where time stands still. Their home range shrinks during breeding and rearing season. biological strategy is found in several animals, The average lifespan is 12 years; the oldest river otter recorded was 27, Fish, invertebrates, amphibians, small mammals. Neotropical River Otters or River Wolves. River otters are found in a variety of habitats that range from temperate to very cold. Their dense, short under-fur is overlain by darker, coarse guard hairs that help repel water. Language. An adult North American river otter can weigh between 5.0 and 14 kg (11.0 and 30.9 lb). Several groups have been set up to try to help conserve natural populations.