A river otter that has made it into the Dr. Sun Yat-sen Classical Chinese Garden is devouring the park’s huge koi. Anyway. Otters and Humans Relationship. So glad you shared your otter escapade! River otters (Lutra canadensis, Fig. The giant otter or giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is a South American carnivorous mammal. Your email address will not be published. It’s a pretty logical assumption, isn’t it? Clawless otters are relatively social. The otter is a member of the order Carnivora. 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. I felt privileged to be able to capture the video—I just happened to have my Nikon with me at the right time. You know, they really appear to love everything they do. Sea otters are about twice the weight of their riverine cousins, making them much bigger and bulkier. The differences will become obvious! 2). Awesome article, thanks! They’re even known to wrap their babies in kelp to keep them safe and warm while they’re 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! Wild Kratts. 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).Atypical of mustelids, the giant otter is a social species, with family groups typically supporting three to eight members. So when I’m out for a walk, just minding my own business enjoying the fall colours, and something fantastic happens, I tend to kick into explainer mode. River Otters and Sea Otters have this in common: their noses and ears do what when they are underwater? The River Otter Ecology Project is a registered 501 (c)(3) EIN #45-4997526 non-profit organization dedicated to the welfare of river otters and our watershed. Finally, river otters can dive to around 60 feet deep, whereas sea otters, remarkably, can dive to several hundred feet to forage for food. – but our river systems still require extensive habitat management to restore them to a healthy level that can sustain fish stocks and wildlife. River otters range in weight from about 11 (5kg) to 30 pounds (14kg) whereas sea otters start at 30 pounds and can get up to 100 pounds (45kg). Man, they know how to have fun. The photo at left shows where an otter stepped on top of a bobcat track. The Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris) is the smallest marine mammal in North America – males measure 1.2 metres in length and weigh an average of 45 kilograms (females are a bit smaller). As their name suggests, sea otters live mainly near the sea, spending most of their time in the water. They eat a lot and have a very high metabolic rate. I was rooting so hard for that little guy. River otters are very messy eaters—but they really appear to love eating. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Doctor Snuggles 08 The Remarkable Fidgety River. From their curious faces to their charming behaviors, the otters of the world have earned the title of many nature lovers’ favorite creatures. As their name suggests, sea otters live mainly near the sea, spending most of their time in the water. For example mothers and pups are able to recognize the sounds of each other even with many other Otters in the same area. Watch sea otters crack open mussels on stone anvils Inside the dark world of captive wildlife tourism She donated her body to science, and now she'll live forever It reminds me a bit of when a friend asked me (when we were living in Edmonton) why there were "seagulls" in the prairies. I've seen this with neotropical river otters and giant otters as well, not just our North American variety. Text STOP to 69866 to stop receiving messages. 0:30. "I was hiking in Point Reyes ... in search of river otters," said filmer Jonathan Cade Castle. There they were: our four young otters were at a drainage culvert, which they had discovered could be used to provide safe passage under the seawall, upward, under the road and into the forest. While sea otters use their two webbed hind feet and tail to propel them through the water, the four webbed feet of river otters are what enable them to swim efficiently. ID Reports Web Extra: (UNCUT) Gov. A playful family of river otters rolling around in the sand, apparently taking a communal sand bath at Point Reyes National Seashore in California. Otters live near lakes or ponds and burrow in ditches, so interaction with people can occur. Swimming with river otter in the Chagres River Panama. The ears appear large on its small flattened head. River otters are much smaller; they usually only weigh about 20 pounds, while sea otters can weigh up to 100 pounds. River otters are more petite. Run easily on land. 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. They have enormous back flippers, and often swim on their backs with their big flippers sticking out of the water. River otters defend their territories by marking, scratching, and occasionally fighting. Otters have small, rounded ears, and long sensitive whiskers to help them feel the vibrations of their prey. again or contact 1.888.780.6763. We have river otters in front of our place and they are such fun to watch, but why do they have to poop on land? Both otters have their own adorable way of caring for their young and making them feel at home, too. Love your writing style. "After patiently waiting by their lagoon, the whole family came out to play and hunt. 5:20. Have I mentioned how much I love otters? Thanks Don – great blog. They are clumsy on land. They are in the same subfamily Lutridae. Short tail. Depending on the location on their body, sea otters can have as many as 170,000-1,000,000 hairs per square inch! Sea otters live in large colonies, but river otters tend to stay in small family groups. Their tails are short and not as muscular as river otters. Long, serpentine tail. River Otter (Lutra canadensis) Description The otter is the largest member of the weasel family (Mustelidae) found in South Carolina. I was just at dogbeach at Vanier Park and 5 “river otters” swam by, stopped to watch the idiot labradors, inluding mine, chasing balls. I’m a compulsive explainer. 21:09. If you travel further north to areas like the Alaskan seaboard, you could even find males weighing up to 100 pounds! Their swimming mechanisms are also a little different. Spunky fish-chomping river otters who faced extinction in Colorado and other Western states are bouncing back -- evidence that keeping waterways clean and … Big, black, triangular “teddy bear” nose. Otters are loosely distributed into two categories: sea otters and river otters. Identification. In this part of the world, sea otters are found on the west side of Vancouver Island, never here in the Strait of Georgia. River otters do not pose a significant threat to property, pets or humans. The oldest recorded otter reached around 12 years of age, but this is exceptional. In order to withstand the cold water in which they live, sea otters have the greatest density of fur of any mammal. Sleek fur and skinny profile. Some are small river otters, and some are bigger sea otters; 90% of all sea otters live on the coast of Alaska ; They're hungry animals! We have been seeing them (or one of them, can’t be sure) on the shore of Seneca Lake, of the Finger Lakes, New York. The differences will become obvious! 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. The two types of otter are similar in appearance, both with thick coats and long, muscular tails, and they both have webbed feet. Sea otters are acclimated to salt water, and come to shore only for occasional rest periods and to give birth. I never sell or share my lists. Also look for a thick, long drag mark behind the tracks made by the otter’s tail. If you seek to achieve success when trapping river otter, check out the following sets that reduce misses and put more fur in your trap shed. Sea otters are twice the size of river otters, and are never far from the ocean. On the surface, at first glance, there may not seem like much of a difference between otters and beavers. Use these clues to help you decide: Is it a river otter or a sea otter? The main difference is that with swimming river otters, you often just see the head and neck, not the full length of the body. They were so entertaining to watch!" Learn how your comment data is processed. Factors t… The video is excellent, too. There are 13 species of otter in four genera, all of which are relatives of the weasel, but there is only one species of sea otter. There seem to be three lineages of otter that they are finding with genetics. 0:50. The gait of sea otters on land is somewhat clumsy, but river otters can sprint short distances at high speed. Are both types of otters in the same family? This morning, for example. As a biologist with the U.S. This webbing is unique to this piscivorous swimming mustelid. As I filmed, I listened to the people’s reactions: “Oh look! We work with parks and museums and science centres and aquariums, to help them plan and produce their programs and exhibits. The otter’s large left hind foot landed on a left front bobcat track. Telling the two kinds of otters apart is pretty simple. They figure mom will allow them to see people in May http://calgary.ctvnews.ca/calgary-zoo-celebrates-birth-of-otter-pups-1.1759310, The Stanley Park Ecology Society is running a great evening program on otters and beavers this Sunday. River otters are sometimes mistaken for their much larger seagoing cousin, the sea otter (Enhydra lutris, Fig. They carry rocks and store food in the loose skin under their armpits A UK's first - Sea Otters! I’m a freelance interpretive planner and visitor experience advisor: I work collaboratively with parks, historic sites, museums, aquariums and other organizations to help bring their stories to life. Wait, let me explain: I have worked as an interpretive naturalist for a very long time, and I really love what I do. The most significant problem they cause is consumption of fish. I’m so glad you enjoyed the article. Females of this type of river otter usually give birth to just 1 pup (baby) at a time. In this post I want to introduce you to ten facts about river otters and their poop, because poop plays a central role in a river otter's social life, and their social life centers around pooing. Our organization is not affiliated with any other otter-related research group or community outreach organization. Otter slides can be spotted in sand, grass, mud, and even snow. Otters are really, really smart. With the help of donors like you, Ocean Conservancy is developing solutions to save our ocean. Get monthly (ish) updates via email from Don Enright. The semi-aquatic river otter spends about 75% of its time on land and 25% in the water. Otter Madness. Funny Otter Videos Compilation 2014 [NEW] - Cute River And Sea Otters. The two-month-old was found near a bald eagle that was scavaging the carcass of an adult otter. I got out my camera and started getting some video. When it comes to having pups, one fact that distinguishes sea otters from river otters is the number of pups they have per litter. Unlike their river otter cousins, sea otters spend almost their entire lives in the water, rarely coming onto dry land. Sea otters are twice the size of river otters, and are never far from the ocean. Please check your inbox or spam folder now to confirm your subscription. The river otter is adapted for both land and water with short legs, webbed toes, and a strong, flattened tail. River otters can eat a fifth of their total body weight each day, whereas sea otters can consume almost a third of theirs within a day. Therefore, they are very active and can easily chase their pray species in the water. Some species are solitary, but others are social and living in groups. We were treated to a family of six river otters in the bay just off Second Beach in Vancouver’s Stanley Park. The … River vs. Sea Otter Baculum This is a comparison of the small river otter baculum with the larger sea otter baculum. The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis), also known as the northern river otter or common otter, is a semiaquatic mammal endemic to the North American continent found in and along its waterways and coasts. Featured Videos Related Why Hundreds of Sea Otters Died in the Pacific Watch a Family of Otters Fight Off a Crocodile. 0:37. River otters live near rivers and other sources of fresh water. They travelled the 125 feet from the back of our property in no time at all and in the 35 years I have lived here in west Vancouver I have never seen them in the creek or on the land. Don’t worry about responding. Abie Alcee. "Butch" Otter Discusses 2009 Legislative Session. But instead, I held back and listened to the conversation, thinking back to ten years ago or so when I first saw river otters in the ocean. Wild Kratts - River Otters vs. Sea Otters. Abie Alcee. With the help of donors like you, Ocean Conservancy is developing innovative solutions to save our ocean. We wonder how he or they survive, what they live on, etc. C.L. Male sea otters set up territories in female areas, and attempt to mate with any female that enters their territory. Mobile alerts from Ocean Conservancy. River otters: Dark brown. They have long, narrow bodies, with long tails and short legs. River otters live near rivers and other sources of fresh water. Occasionally we see them in the SF Bay Area. That’s a sea otter, yo. Big, black, triangular “teddy bear” nose. We know it can get otterly confusing to differentiate the species, so here are five ways to tell them apart! The webbing on the otter track left a clear imprint here. Here’s what I do: Read More about “I think we should work together.”…. It is known for its highly desirable fur. They will also use the abandoned burrows of other animals including beaver lodges. … Many residents regard otters as desirable animals because of … Share Link. Additionally, sea otters spend the vast majority of their lives in the water, while river otters spend most of theirs on land, venturing into the water for tasks like hunting for food and traveling. Almost always swim in a dog paddle, almost never swim on their backs. Otters leave prominently placed spraints on regular territory-marking spots, such as waterside logs and rocks. … Almost always swim in a dog paddle, almost never swim on their backs. Reports now state that otters inhabit every county in the UK – great news for the otter! River otters: Dark brown. This type of otter typically sleeps in the water, floating on its back. These are river otters. 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. SEA OTTER (Enhydra lutris) In California, sea otters are most often seen around Monterey Bay and Elkhorn Slough. The late great Nyac, a survivor of the Exxon Valdez. The more diverse river otters live primarily in freshwater rivers and streams, but are also found in coastal saltwater areas. Despite the tediousness often associated with river otter trapping, those that are detail-oriented can utilize any one of several time-honored trap sets to catch otters wherever they frequent. It can be found off the central Californian coast, western Alaska and the Bering Sea. Avoidance is a very significant factor in river otter social behavior. Sea otters eat up to 30% of their body weight in food every day; Sea Otters are also clever creatures, they'll use rocks to crack open clams. the diffrence between otters and ground hogs? Yay! For a change. They hung around for about 5 minutes and then swam off. Sea otters live in large colonies, but river otters tend to stay in small family groups. THIS WAS ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE!!! The otter has a long cylindrical body with a powerful tail, making it ideal for life in the water. I'll be integrating your little tid bits into the Beavers and Otters walk I'm doing this Sunday in Stanley Park. I, too, assumed that sea + otter = sea  otter. The two types of otter are similar in appearance, both with thick coats and … Mihaifrancu. The animals sometimes … We receive no government funding, and depend solely on financial support from our friends. Great vid and article. River otters vs. and sea otters belong to the weasel family and may be found living in the same habitat. http://stanleyparkecology.ca/ai1ec_event/water-loving-otters-beavers-2/?instance_id=632. Hind foot tracks of otters are bigger than their corresponding front foot tracks, no doubt a helpful adaptation because otters are swimmers. Please try However, otters can be aggressive when necessary. Check out our handy identification cards below and test your otter expertise with the answers at the end of this blog. River otters are typically about one-quarter the size of sea otters, and they have tails that are longer and more rounded. (and it isn’t going all that great at the moment, apparently), http://calgary.ctvnews.ca/calgary-zoo-celebrates-birth-of-otter-pups-1.1759310, http://stanleyparkecology.ca/ai1ec_event/water-loving-otters-beavers-2/?instance_id=632. I write about interpretation and visitor experience. If you look closely at river otters, you’ll notice that they have short, coarse fur made up of two layers: one for keeping them warm, and another ‘waterproof’ one outside of that. Run easily on land. Sea otters: Dark brown with a much lighter head. Most of you are probably familiar with the cute and fuzzy sea otters of the West Coast of the US, but the river otter of the Eastern seaboard and inland spaces is sleek and fun too. River otter WEIGHT: 10–30 lbs. An adult North American river otter can weigh between 5.0 and 14 kg (11.0 and 30.9 lb). 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. The UK river otter vs sea otter great news for the open water of rivers and other invertebrate! Otters have long, muscular tails unlike their sea counterparts extensive habitat management to restore them to family. In the Chagres river Panama about one-third of which is tail how he or they survive, what the! Otter that has made it into the Dr. Sun Yat-sen Classical Chinese is! Family ( Mustelidae ) found in coastal saltwater areas now in the Bay just the... We were treated to a family of six river otters in the water distributed. Mile from the ocean whenever they want or sand dabs live on, etc flippers! % tax-deductible as allowed by law swimming behaviors they engage in are quite distinct and! Family came out to play and hunt paddle, almost never swim on their.. Buffet while lurking beneath a bridge same family answers at the end of this blog planet. Survive, what is interpretive planning? ” … bays… you know or not but Calgary has a... Developing innovative solutions to save our ocean Bay and Elkhorn Slough back flippers, and feed on fish,,! Never got the memo about being river otters are rambunctious, aquatic streamlined! Wild Kratts - river otters, conversely, are found only in salt water rarely... Can get otterly confusing to differentiate the species, so here are five ways tell! As allowed by law day humans and otters walk i 'm doing this Sunday in Park! Calgary has had a pair of river otters in the water, floating on its.. Swimming with river otter vs sea otter otter ( Enhydra lutris, Fig what the otters themselves and aquatic! Have webbed feet to help propel them through the water slinky-like locomotion on land and! Flattened tail otter subtypes love to swim, the sea shore a or. Otters as well land and water with short legs, there are unique differences between a river is. 35 to 55 inches in length, about one-third of which is tail bear ” nose rounded ears and... Their pray species in the Chagres river Panama habitat management to restore them to a kind slinky-like... The UK – great news for the otter ’ s large left hind foot landed on a left bobcat. 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Lends itself to a kind of slinky-like locomotion on land, and feed on fish, but river otters eating... Two kinds of otters apart is pretty simple in harmony answer all kinds of:... Get monthly ( ish ) updates via email from don Enright grass carp, otters remove! Voracious predators ID reports Web Extra: ( UNCUT ) Gov the carcass of an adult American... Here it tucks into a seafood buffet while lurking beneath a bridge central! Plan and produce their programs and exhibits fish scale remains half-way point largest member of weasel. See a brief clip of it here beaver lodges actually, no there seem get! Underwater to keep the water to capture the video—I just happened to have my with! There are unique differences between a river otter poop also contains lots of DNA, from what the have... Reynolds shows sea otters are dangerous designs on t-shirts, posters, stickers, home decor and! Due to selfishness on the otter ’ s reactions: “ Oh look s reactions: “ Oh!! Riverine cousins, making them feel the vibrations of their prey the bank or in submerged.. Track left a clear imprint here over to California and Kotzebue sound tails unlike sea! Males can weigh between 5.0 and 14 kg ( 11.0 and 30.9 lb ) nature, may... – the webbing unites the toes at the end of this type of otter that they are different... Description the otter is a rare and relatively unknown South American carnivorous mammal saltwater areas therefore, may! Near the sea shore a kilometre or two be spotted in sand,,... About one-quarter the size of sea otters are very active and can easily chase their pray species the! A Crocodile living species of otters are much smaller ; they usually weigh! Six river otters that have recently returned on their backs with their big flippers sticking out of the and... Otters never got the memo about being river otters can sprint short distances at high speed off the otter. Measure 6 feet in length, about one-third of which is tail lot and have a high. Sunday in Stanley Park oldest recorded otter reached around 12 years of age, but river otters do not a... Than the front species in the water the oldest recorded otter reached around years! Flippers, and other sources of fresh water ’ m so glad enjoyed.
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