The main difference between the two species is their size; Asian small-clawed otters are the smallest otters in the world, while sea otters are the largest. 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. Finally, river otters can dive to around 60 feet deep, whereas sea otters, remarkably, can dive to several hundred feet to forage for food. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 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. Our work is focused on solving some of the greatest threats facing our ocean today. River otters and sea otters also have habitat preferences in these unique ecosystems. Protect the Arctic from Future Oil Spills. 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 sea otter (Enhydra lutris) can be split into two regional subspecies. Since southern sea otters are found in cooler waters, its important for their fur to be able to insulate them from the weather. In other species, post-hatching battles begin almost immediately. Some local populations, such as Gray seals in the Baltic Sea, are endangered. 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. Another difference between river otters and sea otters is their appearance. Without a doubt, dolphins are jerks. Only your votes can decide who moves on for a chance at a deep-dive feature story. The webbed feet of a sea otter. Otters are comparatively smaller while seals are larger in body size. Lets talk more about all of these differences in more detail now. Plus, visit our Arctic fox and see how his coat changes throughout the year. 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. A painful and confusing end for the poor pups. When it comes to having pups, one fact that distinguishes sea otters from river otters is the number of pups they have per litter. Now, however, its differentthere is too little sea ice, which is impacting the food supply. 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. With 13 species around the world, you can find an otter species located on almost every continent! They include; walrus, eared seals, sea lions, fur seals, and earless seals. St. Patty's is coming Whats the difference between sea otters and river otters? 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. There are 33 species of pinnipeds alive today and, they too can be found on every continent on Earth! Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. However, there some traits and features that make them different from each other. (In the concluding paragraphs of On the Origin of Species, he observed that this view of life contains grandeur and horror alike.) We know it can get otterly confusing to differentiate the species, so here are five ways to tell them apart! Their unique bodies make it easy to tell the creatures apart. The largest river otters weigh in at around thirty pounds. Travailleur Autonome Gestion michigan department of corrections directory; River otters have a thick, lustrous coat that keeps them warm. Some river otters can be found in wetlands and lakes. They are mammals without fur as adults. The majority of river otters mate with multiple otters throughout the course of their lives, and they may have multiple litters in a year. how to cancel quizlet subscription; denver criminal court docket; cody and caleb martin salary; how to remove a backwards bullet from the chamber The Asian small-clawed otter is "slimmer" and smaller, with smooth fur and a face that looks like it is smiling. Sea otters mate for life, as many people know, but this is not the same for river otters. More commonly known as seals, they are a widely distributed and diverse group of fin-footed, semiaquatic, mostly marine mammals. Female otters in the California region can weigh up to 60 pounds, while males can weigh up to 90 pounds. 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. These animals use both fur and blubber to keep warm, and that is one of many ways to differentiate between true seals and others. 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. Otters spend a substantial amount of time grooming, and many species of river otters have designated areas on land for . There are over 70 different species of cetacean. They spend time in the water foraging for mollusks, fish, frogs and crustaceans. They are very different from other mammals that share the seals name or lineage. 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. Many people may not know this, but sea otters are much larger than river otters. Can You Eat Clownfish and How Does It Taste? They have a body length of about 3 to 4 feet and weigh between 40 to 60 pounds. Conversely, sea otters only give birth to one pup and care for them until they are between eight and twelve months old. Habitat degradation due to development and accidental bycatch from shrimp and fishing vessels also endanger these charismatic creatures. 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. Their slow, quiet and sudden way. Seals belong to Phocidae, and otters belong to the Mustelidae, so they are not even close to being related. While they are both otters, river otters belong to the Lontra genus, while sea otters belong to the Enhydra genus. They are comparatively larger in body size. Seals are larger than otters, weighing a lot more than them and growing much longer. We think of otters as the cute little aquatic creatures who float on their backs and rub their cheeks in viral videos. Whale: The North Atlantic right whales namerightcomes from the belief that it was the right whale to hunt. It might be because river otters have to fight the strong currents of a river and catch their food and fish. 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! The sentiments about proper human behavior were impressed upon the penguins, and vice versa. 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. They also feed on invertebrates and small animals found in the sea. Contact Us It is a grave mistake to see the so-called depravity of penguins, dolphins, and otters in the same way as our own behavior. Shocking behavior isnt the sole province of marine mammals. At Arctic Tundra we've created a habitat just like the grassy tundra near Point Hope, Alaska - and filled it with massive muskoxen. When you click and buy we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Please try You may already have an idea as to what makes river otters and sea otters look so different from one another. The species are either aquatic or semi-aquatic depending on the species. Additionally, river otters have a very different social structure from sea otters, often preferring solitude over a sea otters committed family structure. Sorry, but we failed to add you to the list. It has "toes" on its feet. 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. Sea otters also have thicker fur, often with white markings, while river otters have sleeker fur to match their streamlined bodies. There seems to be no crime too low for these penguins, he confided to his journal. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Site by Thrive Web Designs, Otters are one of the most fascinating and charismatic marine mammal species. Lets dive in and get started! launchpad classlink nmusd; cantonese text to speech; 15 second tv commercial script examples 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. We focus on how to be proactive in finding solutions. Seals are larger than otters on average, and the largest members of the species make otters look positively tiny. Did you know that sea otters mate for life? SeaQuest Blog Ocean Conservancy is a 501(c)3 Tax ID #23-7245152 Donations are 100% tax-deductible as allowed by law. However, we noticed a conundrum that many readers seem to get themselves into. Sea Otter Sea Otters are a larger species of otter. They have a body length of about 3 to 4 feet and weigh between 40 to 60 pounds. The main difference between otter and seal is that Otters are comparatively smaller in body size while seals are comparatively larger in body size. The Key Differences Between Seal vs Otter. If you see a vast creature, then its probably a seal and not an otter. While sea otters are found in the sea, Asian small-clawed otters are found in freshwater wetlands and mangrove swamps. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. These carnivorous mammals inhabit fresh and saltwater rivers. 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. Asian small-clawed otters spend more of their time on land than in water, which helps keep a stable body temperature. River otters are smaller than sea otters in both length and weight. 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. Charming, outgoing, and intelligent, otters are part of the Mustelids family and in the Lutrinae subfamily. Animals Differences and Comparison for Kids. For example, the seal and otter are two animals that have a lot in common and are often confused for one another. This isnt where their social behavioral differences end, however. For example, sea otters are much larger than river otters in both length and weight. 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 otters have an average lifespan of 12-15 years in the wild while river otters live an average of 9-12 years. 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! Decreasing sea ice cover is preventing Emperor penguins from finding food and sheltering their babies. On the other hand, there are 12 different species of river otter found around the world, from the North American river otter to the Japanese river otter to the Asian small-clawed otter. difference between sea otter and penguin. They are also known as fin-footed mammals. 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. The main difference between otter and seal is that Otters are comparatively smaller in body size while seals are comparatively larger in body size. The distinction between these two is important: the sea otter will spend its entire life floating in the ocean, swimming, feeding, and reproducing. Search. Sea otters must groom regularly to help maintain the insulation. This is especially problematic in Monterey Bay, where there are more male sea otters than females. They are also captured for the exotic pet trade in some countries and several species are still trapped and killed for their fur. They are also known as fin-footed mammals. Copyright 2023. Why are these male sea otters killing seals? 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. Since river otters are much smaller, they are more prone to predators. It is a grave mistake to see the so-called "depravity" of penguins, dolphins, and otters in the same way as our own behavior. Terms & Conditions. This makes them very different animals, especially when you consider the fact that sea otters are the only members of their genus. Learn more. difference between sea otter and penguinups insurance cost calculator. Otters fur has guard hairs on the outside layer that are used to keep them protected from moisture and to maintain body temperature. 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 gestation period for otters lasts between 60 to 86 days while the gestation period for seals lasts between 9 months to 12 months. Otters have webbed paws instead of flippers, visible external ears, and a long, thin tail that is easy to spot. What makes each species unique, and what are the signs that make each one recognizable? Please try again 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. : Most all seal species are carnivorous. The dietary preferences and lifespans of river otters and sea otters differ as well. 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. Unlike most other otter species, fish are not an important part of their diet. The newborn is taken care of by the males, females, and other offspring. Asian-small clawed otters can be found in India, China, and parts of Southeast Asia. Both seals and otters can vary a great deal in their sizes owing to their various species. 2. Seals primarily eat fish, while otters eat a variety of items including fish, amphibians, crustaceans, and small mammals. Males are larger compared to their female counterparts. Enter your email and never miss an update. The average river otter only weighs 15-20 pounds, while sea otters can reach anywhere from 20-80 pounds depending on their gender and age. The Knysna seahorse is extremely vulnerable to increases in water temperatures; in 1991, more than 3,000 were found dead after heavy rainfall resulted in higher than normal temperatures. Their familial units are very strong, while river otters tend to lead solitary lives. 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. 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. About Us The Northern sea otter and the Southern sea otter, but in actuality, this is the one and only species of otter that is a lifelong ocean-dweller. Sea otters, conversely, are found only in salt water and rarely go on land. Sea otters will be in the sea, river otters will be in the river. We focus on how to be proactive in finding solutions. 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. Learn More About Estate Planning. All rights reserved. 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. Sea otters have the densest fur in the entire animal kingdom with up to one million hairs covering each square inch of their body. There are many distinguishing features between a river otter vs sea otter. They are comparatively smaller in body size. There are only 450 left in the world. Wildlife Informer is reader-supported. However, river otters can swim in saltwater if there is an ocean near their preferred river habitat. Their swimming mechanisms are also a little different. They have blubber that is deposited below the skin. The largest sea otters can weigh up to one hundred pounds, but river otters are much smaller. Answer: I can only speak about North American otters, of which there are two species: * Enhydra lutris - Generally called a "Sea Otter". 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. This goes both ways! They can grow up to 4 feet and weigh up to 70 pounds. They eat 15% of their body weight a day. Plus, their overall diets, lifespans, and locations differ from one another, not to mention how different they are in appearance! Sea otters arent only heftier than river otterstheir fur is also quite distinguishable. Sea otters are slow swimmers, while their river-living counterparts are rather agile. or contact 1.888.780.6763, Seafood Species Vulnerable to Climate Change. again or contact 1.888.780.6763, Learning From and Standing With Climate Justice Communities, Senior Policy Analyst, Fish Conservation Program, Sorry, but we failed to add you to the list. Though most species occur in cold-water environments. 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. Yet, if the two creatures are closer in size, then you will need to rely on other methods of differentiating them. An adorable detail about sea otters is the fact that they hold paws when sleeping to avoid drifting away from their familial units. Algae vs Seaweed: What is the Difference? Make A Lasting Impact By Leaving A Gift To Ocean Conservancy In Your Will. 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. 1Polar Bear vs. Wombat; Tasmanian Devil vs. Pangolin; (voting closed) WINNERS: Polar Bear and Pangolin.Day 23/20: Paws and Claws pt. The Asian small-clawed otter is the smallest of all otters, measuring 65 to 94 cm (26-37 in.) Many creatures dwell in the water, and some of them are difficult to tell apart. Not only do these two creatures have different habitats, but they have both evolved fur to best suit those habitats. RETWEET for Whale or FAVE for Sea Horse #CPMarchSadness http://t.co/lzQh1SAaxZ pic.twitter.com/WPiCEtbbDt, ***TOURNAMENT UPDATES:Day 13/19: Paws and Claws pt. Seals are marine mammals in the Phocidae family. They are commonly known as pinnipeds. Your Generous Gift Will Help Us Continue To Protect Our Ocean And Its Wildlife. 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. 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. With no power for the electric lights, the house was a sea of darkness. Asian small-clawed otters are just the opposite. These two different animals have their key differences, but one thing is for sure: theyre all still otterly loveable wildlife all the same! When seen for the first time, the Adlie penguin gives you the impression of a very smart little man. What is Our Oceans Role in the Transition to Clean Energy? : They are huge eaters! Otters are smaller while seals are comparatively large when it comes to body size. It is slow moving, floats when killed, and is full of oil and baleen. (label) A large number or quantity; a vast amount.A sea of faces stared back at the singer. You might not be able to tell by looking at them, but river otters and sea otters have very different fur. Sea otters are larger In Antarctica, the Adlie, chinstrap, and gentoo penguins flourished under warming that caused ice sheets to shrink. I graduated from Rowan University in 2014 with degrees in English and Education. The Northern fur seal and Nooded seal are vulnerable. Sea otters eat sea urchins, seaweed, clams, and crabs. The other two clawless otters are similar in size to river otters. There are about 33 species in this family. Some seals have fur, but they are not considered true seals. Levick recorded these behaviors as aberrations from the norm of nature. Sea Otter: We mentioned last time that sea otters are threatened by toxic algal blooms, which are exacerbated by climate change. 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. Do you think you can tell the difference if you saw them side-by-side? Southern sea otters are approximately four feet in length and weigh on average between 45-65 pounds. This makes people think that it is the same animal. American Oceans, Quick Facts: Bioluminescence & What Causes It. 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 . 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. They move to land to escape some predators like sharks. Sea otters carry their young on their stomachs to keep them safe until they are ready to swim by themselves. They have the ability to walk but they prefer living in the oceans more than staying on the land. Sea Otters have an average lifespan of 15-20 years but in captivity, some live over 25 years. 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. 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. Free shipping for many products! While it may seem obvious at first, you may not know all of the differences between a river otter vs sea otter. All contents 2023 The Slate Group LLC. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We bring people, science and policy together to champion innovative solutions and fight for a sustainable ocean. 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. Im not saying any of this to put down these animals. It lives with its family for about a year. Lets take a look and some similarities, and differences, between these two amazingly fascinating animals! Asian Small-Clawed Otters have a classification of Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List while Sea and Giant Otters are listed as Endangered as of today. Seals and otters are easy to tell apart if you know where to look. While both species enjoy the company of many otters, sea otters form powerful partnerships with their chosen mate. At Georgia Aquarium, we are home to two species of otter Asian small-clawed ottersandsouthern sea otters. Although its not a visible means of telling the creatures apart, knowing their family can help distinguish the creatures. 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). To meet the wonderful sloths that call SeaQuest home, book your visit today at any of the following locations: Utah, Las Vegas, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Sacramento, Minneapolis, Connecticut, Lynchburg, New Jersey, and Atlanta. Though they may look similar, there are distinct differences between the two. In terms of colours, seals have thick fur coats that range from pale yellow to light grey and dark brown. They have webbed feet, water-repellent fur to keep them dry and warm, and nostrils and ears that close in the water. They can grow up to 4 feet and weigh up to 70 pounds. 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. They feed on fish and shellfish. Both are marine mammals and have lungs that they use to breathe. The marine otter simply lives near the ocean, diving in only to feed. A fully grown otter weighs between 14 to 45 kg and this makes them the heaviest member among the smallest marine animals. They weigh between 45kg to 3,200kg. Otters spend the vast majority of their time in the water, and they even sleep in the water. Otter endangered status varies by species and location. 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. 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. They average around 2 feet in length and weigh around 10 pounds. 8 Fun Date Night Ideas in Salt Lake City. 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. Although seals and otters are often believed to be related, the truth is that they belong to completely different . 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 thats extremely dense and warm. 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. In this article, we will address all of these differences in detail, including their physicality and social behavior. Theyre both known for spending a lot of time in the water, something that is unusual for mammals that dont spend their entire lives in water. North American River Otter Two out of those three species are now in decline. Noun; A large body of salty water. Their scientific name, Pinnipeds, says it all. 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. Darwin knew this well. 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.
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