Axolotls and capybaras are TikTok famousis that a problem? River otters are especially playful, gamboling on land and splashing into rivers and streams. A group of otters is called a raft, according to the San Diego Zoo. If a male is too aggressive during the mate (which he usually is), the female will drown below the surface. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Mothers spend up to 14 hours per day foraging to support a pup's intense nutrition needs. Are Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney in love, or are they good actors? The sea otter and pup rolled violently in the water for approximately 15 min, while the pup struggled to free itself from the sea otters grasp. Only the North American river otter is a species of least concern. The act sometimes involves the male grabbing the female's head underwater and as the two turns and wriggle under the surface. I just think otters are jerks. These adorable aquatic mammals are clever, chatty, and oddly aromatic. U.S.D.A. Sometimes, they will also force the females head underwater. Otters love to sunbath during the day and they are very active at night. Absolutely, many gentle mammals are carnivores including your pet cat! "Living With Otters: River Otters." 30 . 12, no. There has been at least one report of a male otter copulating and swimming with deceased female otters. Ten months later, this same male was observed with the carcass of another female sea otter. 2 hours of sleep? Introduction to Otters. Most otters have sharp claws at the end of each toe, which helps them to grab prey. River otters are nocturnal hunters. UC Santa Cruz, 2014. There is no conclusive evidence as to why they do this. We accept credit card, Apple Pay, and Their diets are primarily carnivorous, but at times can be omnivorous (1). They eat mostly aquatic organisms such as frogs, fish, turtles, insects, and some small mammals. Otters have been around for at least 5 million years. With his curiosity, experience, and love for the natural world, Aleksandar brings a unique perspective to his writing. The sea otter must consume between 25 and 40 percent of its body weight daily, just to keep warm. How do otters stay warm? Sea Otter Savvy. Do Otters Have Webbed Feet? Otters survive by hunting, and as such they live in unpolluted waters. They have long, narrow bodies, with long tails and short legs. So that aspect of otter sexuality isn't too unusual. In Brazil's Pantanal, we get the rare opportunity to film a family of rare and elusive giant otters. Interestingly, otters dont get sick when they have the flu. Source: Scientific Reasons for B.S Things Our Bodies Do. A 2010 paper talked about 19 cases, including a particularly gruesome instance where a sea otter bit a pup's face, held it underwater, and copulated with it for over an hour until it died. 28 . They can also be harmed by entanglement with ghost nets and other rogue fishing gear. Otters have small, rounded ears, and long sensitive whiskers to help them feel the vibrations of their prey. Sometimes, they will also force the females head underwater. Wildlife managers must consider not only the direct impact of otter populations on ecosystems but also the indirect consequences of disease spread. They are also nocturnal and hunt at night. "The Drivers and Functions of Rock Juggling in Otters." There are 13 species in total, ranging from the small-clawed otter to the giant otter. Otters have been known to guard and have sex with the bodies of their victims for up to seven days after they've died. Regardless of the reasons behind this behavior, the impacts on the ecosystems are significant. They tuck prey into pockets of loose skin under their arms and use rocks as tools to open shellfish. Otters can be discovered inhabiting almost every continent on Earth and these imply otter facts are applicable to all 13 species, many of which are sadly endangered because of overhunting,. Undisputedly, otters are one of nature's wonders that are particularly friendly-looking and cute, even having their charismatic gestures capable of stimulating dopamine hormone in the human body. However, this behavior can also result in conflicts with rival males and female otters, further highlighting the complexities of otter social structures. Their fur is super dense. I couldn't find any reports of attacks on humans from sea otters, but that may just be a function of sea otters being much rarer than river otters, and spending less time on or near dry land than river otters do. Sea otters have an ingenious method to open shellfish. Otters have many long, stiff sensitive hairs ('vibrassae') that frame the snout: these help the otter to locate prey. They love to chow down! If your brainstem (the part of the brain that mediates most motor control for all of the body) is damaged, you can get "locked-in" syndrome. 194-201., doi:10.1016/B978-012374473-9.00434-3. The barbs on each hair strand hold in place the air bubbles that the otters blow into their pelts while groomingwhich they can spend up to five hours doing each day. However, if these individuals exhibit aggressive mating behavior, it can lead to harm or even death of the existing population and further threaten the species survival. These injuries can be so deep that they result in the females death. Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, 2020. Otters are very social creatures. 5, 2020, p. 200141., doi:10.1098/rsos.200141. Here's what you need to know about these terrible animals, and why you should fear and hate them. Life becomes very difficult for female otters when nurturing young pups. Although river otters are primarily responsible for these attacks (80%), sea otters can be just as dangerous incidents are more infrequent. Asian otter species also face threats from the illegal pet trade. "Hairy Nosed Otter." But the last 40 years haven't consisted of unerring progress for the sea otter. Over the course of a rough winter, he meticulously documented many species, and while some have since gone extinct (like a sea-cow he described that was hunted into extinction), the adorable otter was among his initial discoveries. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. But don't be deceived by the holding of hands and cheek rubbing sighted in photos used for posters, memes, and throw pillows, otters are still wild animals and can be harmful. Their construction activities can lead to the erosion of riverbanks, the destruction of vegetation, and the alteration of water flow in the surrounding area. Legend has it they save human lives on occasion: But there comes a point at which rational people have to put adorable hijinks aside and recognize otters for what they are: disease-ridden, murderous, necrophilic aqua-weasels whose treachery knows few bounds. Now, just because an animal is a carnivore doesnt mean its evil, right? To prevent these conflicts, it is important to avoid approaching them or their dens, particularly during breeding season when they may be more aggressive. They are small animals that average . They mark their territory with scent glands located near their tails, communicating ownership and boundaries to other otters. Or a family or a raft. Otters have their cubs in underground burrows, known as 'holts'. No permit is necessary; however . The latter is the most common term for a group of otters on land. For starters, male sea otters have been known to assault and even kill seal pups. One sea otter off the coast of British Columbia apparently raped and murdered a dog. Something went wrong. Read our about page! The Romans were notorious for gruesome execution methods. All otters are expert hunters that eat fish, crustaceans, and other critters. While these modifications are essential for otter survival, they can have negative consequences for other species that rely on the same habitat. The other 12 otter species were recently identified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as having decreasing populations, and five otter species are already on the endangered list. In 2014, a study of giant otters found that the river-dwellers have 22 distinct noises they make for different situations. Baby otters usually are called pups. These otters seem to love peat swamp forests, especially those with Melaleuca, the swamp tea-tree. Hell, Vox.com once employed its own full-time otter enthusiast. Otters are adorable and cute creatures that love to play and swim together. Otters (genus Lutra) hail from the subfamily of Lutrinae and are carnivorous mammals. It's not uncommon for female otters to die as a result of these aggressive encounters, either through drowning or from their wounds becoming infected. In such cases, medical attention is necessary to prevent infection and ensure proper wound healing. They gorge on more than 100 different prey species. It underscores the importance of maintaining a safe distance from wild animals and avoiding contact with their feces or bodily fluids, which can harbor disease-causing pathogens. Diving into the Science! Sliding Behavior in Nearctic River Otters: Locomotion or Play?Northeastern Naturalist, vol. They also use body language and scent marking to communicate ownership and boundaries. For centuries, fisherman have been training otters to act as herders and chase large schools of fish into the nets. The giant otter is an endangered species found in South America, primarily along the Amazon river and the Pantanal. And I don't just mean in the way carnivorous species always are to their prey. Of the 13 species of otter, IUCN lists five as endangered, five as near-threatened, and two as vulnerable. There are around 13 extant species, out of which some of them are aquatic, semiaquatic, and marine, and their diet mainly consists of fish and invertebrates. Unauthorized use is prohibited. A new discovery raises a mystery. Sea Otters Have the World's Thickest Fur, 20 Bizarre and Beautiful Starfish Species, 10 US Ecosystems Saved by Endangered Species, 12 Facts About Sea Otters for Sea Otter Awareness Week, How to Tell the Difference Between Sea Otters and River Otters, Whats Killing Sea Otters? Young and old otters most often juggle rocks. This adds an additional layer of complexity to the already challenging task of maintaining balanced ecosystems. In this post, well talk about why otters are evil and why they arent the cuddlers they appear to be. Young pups are born helpless, and remain in the . In the downtime, though, otters love to play and will often build themselves slides along the banks of rivers. . This frog will kill you with a single touch. When faced with a threat, they wont hesitate to use their powerful teeth and strong jaws to inflict serious injury. This cooperative behavior allows multiple individuals to share a territory and work together to maximize their chances of survival. First, male otters sometimes hold pups ransom to force their mothers to give up some of their food. Otter families are usually limited to pups and their mothers, and these duos will spend most of their time either feeding or sleeping. Additionally, if an otter approaches, it is important to maintain a safe distance and avoid feeding or interacting with the animal. Among fluffy kittens and puppies with big eyes, one of Earth's most adorable animals is frequently said to be the cuddly small otter. These holts can be found along riverbanks, among tree roots, under branches, brush, or boulders. Threats also include habitat degradation, pesticides, and pollution from mining. Facing a lack of female partners, male otters may be engaging in what researchers call "misdirected sexual activity." Skip to the end to watch the video. As the sea otter thrust his pelvis, his penis was extruded and intromission was observed. Furthermore, the potential for disease transmission among otters and other species can complicate conservation efforts. Please be respectful of copyright. This combination allows them to have greater nimbleness when foraging. newsletter, the fight against catastrophic climate change. For example, the introduction of non-native otters to a region can lead to a decline in local fish populations, causing an imbalance in the food chain. This may not surprise those who know the animal well, but its important to note that otters are carnivores. 1. These otters have brown-to-gray fur, and their undersides are a lighter, silvery . Advertisement. Otters natural habitats are regularly disrupted or destroyed due to human activities, making it harder for them to survive. To be fair, the vast majority 77 percent of the attacks the researchers analyzed involved North American river otters, and none appear to have involved sea otters. "Giant Otter." Otters can have up to one million hairs per square inch. The harbor seal moved toward the water with the sea otter following closely. The fight to make it harder for landlords to evict their tenants, On Succession, Sisyphus rolls the rock uphill, Ecuadors political instability, explained, In Sudan, the US government finally begins evacuating its citizens. "Asian Short-Clawed Otter." Even if you find them otherwise adorable, otters' mating habits will no doubt make your stomach turn. Baby otters, called pups or kittens, stay with their mothers until theyre up to a year old, or until she has another litter. Learn 15 more facts about these fascinating mammals. Yes, they live in intricate social structures, with a distinct hierarchy that dictates their interactions. Some tribes consider the otter to be a lucky animal and a symbol of "loyalty and honesty." Moreover, increased conservation efforts are needed in order to monitor population numbers, reduce polluting activities and stop activities that destroy their habitats. Advertisement. The male forced the pup under water as if trying to drown it. The area in the bay where the scientists observed the most otter-on-seal mating sessions was also where there was a high population of transient male otters, ones that, unlike more dominant males, don't have an established territory filled with potential mates. When food is hard to obtain, sea otter mothers will abandon their young and leave them to starve to death. Re-introduction attempts have been successful and have seen promising outcomes in terms of species survival, population growth, and overall improved environmental quality. Sea otters murder even when it doesn't provide them with food or offspring, like straight-up sociopathic spree killers. Rape or, as biologists usually call it, "forced copulation" is a disturbing fact of life in the animal kingdom. As otters build their dens, they can cause significant changes to their environment. River otters have webbing between their toes to aid them as well. The kelp acts like an anchor and prevents them from floating out to the open ocean. Theyll keep baby otters underwater until females give them their food. The aquarium staff had previously tried raising pups themselves but found that hand-raised otters became too attached to humans to be released back into the wild. Female otters have a disproportionately higher mortality rate than males, and experts attribute this to their gruesome mating ritual. Did you know that otters hold hands while sleeping to prevent drifting apart? Here's how biologists Heidi Pearson and Randall Davis describe it: A male approached a pup floating on the surface while its mother was diving for food. Most injuries caused by them are minor, consisting of bites and scratches that can lead to infections. In both cases, the male was swimming, diving, guarding, and copulating with the carcass. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Pteronura brasiliensis, 2015, doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2015-2.rlts.t18711a21938411.en, Aadrean, A., et al. They can also close their small ears and nose when under water. In . Size: Head and body: 21.75 to 31.5 inches; tail: 11.75 to 19.75 inches. They juggle rocks. Otter groups are called a family, bevy, lodge, or a romp. "12 Facts About Sea Otters for Sea Otter Awareness Week." Excellent and lithe swimmers, the young are in the water by 10 weeks of age. Yes, the phenomenon of otters holding hands is completely true. During mating, male otters hold onto the female and bite her nose, sometimes even hard enough that blood starts gushing out and causes deep wounds. Charismatic otters are the largest members of the weasel family. Others, like the marine otters of South America, have had their numbers reduced because of poaching, as well as environmental concerns. International Otter Survival Fund. Without sea otters, the urchin population booms and destroys the kelp forest habitat. The researchers found four prior scientific publications documenting attacks, including one that reported a deadly otter attack in India. Unmasking the Dark Side of Otters: Surprising and Disturbing Facts, What Do Sea Grapes Taste Like? shout when a threat is nearby. At 105 min into the encounter, the sea otter released the pup, now dead, and began grooming.You read that correctly. A decent share of the attacking otters have been rabid; in the '90s, 46 percent of otter attacks involved rabies, and in the '00s, 24 percent did. They were considered extinct until 1998 when a scientist in Thailand found small populations. The transmission of these diseases and parasites from them to other animals or humans is a significant concern for conservation and public health officials. River otters are frequently mistaken for sea otters. "Why are otters playful?" Additionally, education and awareness programs can play a role in preventing these conflicts. For example, they may harbor bacteria responsible for leptospirosis, a disease that can cause severe illness in both animals and humans. It isnt surprising, given that they need to eat around 15% of their body weight daily to survive. Otters have as many as 2.6 million hairs per square inch. No, they are wild animals and should not be kept as pets. But maybe the most disturbing fact about otters is that they are known to "mate" with deceased animals. These efforts include re-introduction programs aimed at bringing them back to their native habitats and increasing their numbers in the wild. The biological name is Lontra Canadensis. Otters are often thought of as cute, cuddly creatures, but there are some disturbing facts about these animals that many people don't know. Related Article:Giant Otters Used to Be Fearsome Hunters in Ancient China. Do you think that seals are the only species that otters enjoy using? Pennsylvania Game Commission. The sea otter is the largest member of the weasel family, yet the smallest marine mammal in North America. 5. This means. ", 5. When he's not writing or reading, Aleksandar can be found exploring the great outdoors with his trusty dog as a companion. On top of that, pups have 11 of their own calls that they intersperse with "infant babbling." A property owner or the owner's immediate family, employee, or tenant may kill or trap a river otter on that property if it is damaging crops or domestic animals (RCW 77.36.030). Source: 14 Fascinating, Super-Disturbing Facts About The Human Body. They rape baby seals and hold each others pups hostage for food. Sea otters, by contrast, nearly went extinct due to aggressive pelt hunting in the early part of the 20th century. Otters have long been admired for their playful antics and endearing appearance. Sea otters cannot swim at all for their first month, despite being born in the open sea. Its thought to get its special odor, which some scientists describe as smelling like violets, from the seafood diet otters eat. Oceana reports, "It is thought that oil spills pose the greatest threat due to the proximity of sea otters to major tanker routes and their susceptibility to hypothermia if their fur comes into contact with oil.". Such disputes can lead to significant injuries or even death for the individuals involved. Otters' big appetites protect kelp forests by eating sea urchins. Photo by Nathan Varley A one parent operation Fathers do not play a role in parenting. Volunteer as an otter spotter or water monitor. National Geographic, 2017. Either due to better reporting or to increased otter savagery, the numbers grew over the decades, from three in the 1980s to 13 in the 1990s to 17 in the 2000s. Yes, as they build their dens, they can cause significant changes to their environment. Just like when they mate, otters bite the baby seal and hold it down with their sharp claws, causing injuries and death in most cases. The mammals like to keep things organized within their communities and will designate certain areas to be used as latrines. Zoroastrians would also hold ceremonies for otters found dead in the wild. Yes, youve read that right. This suggests that the otters must first satisfy their nutritional needs before engaging in playful behaviors. Additionally, some fish species may prey on their younglings. Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, Copyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Their furry coats, innocent eyes, and tiny paws make them adorable little creatures. In 2014, the US Geological Survey (USGS) released a study of northern sea otters living close to Washington who were discovered to have possessed H1N1 virus (swine flu) throughout a large number of their population. They must carefully groom their fur and furry undercoat to keep them clean and sealed off to water, because theyre not covered in a fatty layer like other seagoing creatures. Unlike other weasels, otters are semi-aquatic. Otters and their mustelid relatives were once hunted extensively for their fur, many to the point of near extinction. Sea otters are members of the family Mustelidae which includes other animals like badgers and weasels. Can Frogs Feel Happy? "North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis): A Technical Conservation Assessment." Scientists Pinpoint Parasite Strain." 6. If you thought that otters, like beavers, eat a plant-based diet, you are mistaken. To save chestnut trees, we may have to play God, Why you should add native plants to your garden, What you can do right now to advocate for the planet, Why poison ivy is an unlikely climate change winner. They eat up to 9 pounds of food in a day and their sharp teeth and powerful tail let them swim fast when they are hunting and can even confront caiman or other enormousAmazon creatures if the need arises. A cat parasite called toxoplasmosis also poses a threat to these creatures. Otters love to eat shelled animals, like clams, but they aren't equipped with the strength to open their food without some help. Here's just one: A weaned harbor seal pup was resting onshore when an untagged male sea otter approached it, grasped it with its teeth and forepaws, bit it on the nose, and flipped it over. They are often mistaken for beavers though. The otters, which need to consume 25 percent to 35 percent of their body weight every day in order to maintain their metabolism and keep themselves warm in the cool waters, are divided into three "dietary guilds": Deep-diving otters that dine on abalone, urchins, and Dungeness crab; medium divers who subsist on clams, worms, and smaller shellfish; and those that stay in shallower waters, feeding on black snails. Each week, we explore unique solutions to some of the world's biggest problems. Surprisingly, an intriguing fact that distinguishes these creatures is their distinctive nature to live as aquatics and . A male river otter, by comparison, would not exceed 30 pounds. Otters sometimes rape baby seals. German zoologist and botanist Georg Wilhelm Steller was the first to scientifically describe numerous new animals on the 1741 explorative voyage from Russia. There are two layers of furan undercoat and then longer hairs that we can see. Koalas don't drink water. Therefore, they are big on tools and will often use rocks to help crack into dinner. By understanding the less endearing aspects of otter behavior, we can better appreciate the full spectrum of their existence and develop more effective conservation strategies. They also take over the riverbank dens of foxes, badgers, and rabbits.
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