share. Otters do not hibernate in the winter and are active year-round. Otters have been known to show characteristics of human behavior, such as holding hands. In order to survive the harsh northern winters, bears need to eat 90 pounds of salmon—or 25 fish—per day, so grizzlies, despite being solitary creatures, will often congregate around streams, lakes, rivers, and ponds during spawning season. Grizzly bears will generally wait until a snowstorm before entering their dens for the winter, so as to prevent predators from finding them, and they wake in the spring after sleeping for up to 7 months. While the region experienced some temperatures in the … Yet unlike some of its cousins, the otter does not hiberate. However, not many animals truly hibernate, and bears are among those that do not. Do otters migrate or hibernate? Their fur is thick a… What Kind of Animal Eats Erect-crested Penguins? Otters are nocturnal creatures, but they become diurnal in winter, becoming active during the day and sleeping at night. 0 comments. Empower Her. In contrast to their very s… Yet unlike some of its cousins, the otter does not hiberate. Their sensory perception combined with retractable claws and quick reflexes, make otters master hunters in shallow waters. River otters grow 26 to 40 inches in length, not including the tail, and weigh up to 18 pounds; males are approximately 17 percent large… They preen or comb each other's fur, frolic in the water, teach the young cubs to swim, toss bits of food to each other, dive to retrieve food in the water, and slide down stream banks. Grizzly bears live in northern North America, including Alaska, Washington, and Montana in the United States. Their homes are called "holts" and are similar to burrows. They breathe on the surface of open water, in their dens or from air pockets lodged against the underside of the ice. Answer this question. Otter, any of 13–14 species of semiaquatic mammals that belong to the weasel family and are noted for their playfulness. When winter comes, they migrate south into the United States and northern Mexico, living in grasslands and marshlands in the Northwest/Pacific, Northern Rockies, California, Southwest, Southeast, and Mid-Atlantic regions. Beavers do not hibernate, so to stay warm in the winter, they add mud to the outside of their lodges so it will freeze and help insulate their homes. A primary food source for the bears is fish, and they spend a lot of time hunting salmon, trout, and bass. The playfulness of otters is mostly … Kay Curtis began writing professionally in 1988. Otters survive the winter by changing their behavior and taking advantage of their incredible fur. The cubs will remain with the parents through the first winter, but separate the next spring. The river otter has a long, streamlined body with dense brown fur. As a member of the Mustelidae family, it's kin to weasels, badgers, ferrets and mink. Diet. They even appear to enjoy the icy season by frolicking and remaining active. Be the first to share what you think! All otters live close to exceptionally cold fresh water or salt water. They store branches of trees underwater, sticking the chewed bases into the mud next to their lodges, (check out a photo here). According to Defenders of Wildlife, otters have the densest fur in the animal kingdom. Otters do not hibernate in the winter and are active year-round. North American river otters do not generally handle prey of a large size relative to themselves but there are occasions where they've been observed ambushing and killing adult common snapping turtles while the large turtles (which are roughly equal in average body weight to … These otters are vocal, having basic calls of greeting, alarm and mating, and up to 12 further calls. Price often has little to do with supply but rather is generally dictated by fashion. PART OF WILD SKY MEDIA | FAMILY & PARENTING, International Union for Conservation of Nature. North American river otters are semiaquatic mammals that do not hibernate when winter comes around. According to Defenders of Wildlife, otters have the densest fur in the animal kingdom. More on River Otters by Cindy Ross (see the article in the March/April 2014 issue) A member of the mustelid family, the river otter is closely related to the mink and weasel. Currently, otters have one the most valuable pelts of all of our furbearing species. Specializing in advertising, her work has been published in several trade magazines including "CompUSA Direct," "Dance Teacher Now" and "Travel." Which of the following is a cardholder responcibility in the governmentwide commercial purchase card program; Answer for question: Your name: Answers. Otter populations in most Southeastern states support a regulated harvest. The otter is one of the most beloved semi-aquatic mammals with its playful gestures and cute appearance. The European otter, a semi-aquatic species, lives along coasts and in a wide variety of freshwater habitats. However, their habits change slightly when winter comes. Otters can be found on five of the seven continents: North and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia. no comments yet. Bears enter a lighter state of sleep called torpor. Discover their quirks, unique habits, and when and where you might be able to spot one in the wild! Lower temperatures and higher oxygen levels actually make the waters more comfortable for them, allowing them to venture into habitats that are out of their range in the summer. Otters have their cubs in underground burrows, known as 'holts'. Its feet are webbed. The Otter is a mammal so it hibernates. North American river otters are semiaquatic mammals that do not hibernate when winter comes around. 100% Upvoted. Curtis has a Bachelor of Science in journalism from Texas A&M University. The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), also known as the European otter, Eurasian river otter, common otter, and Old World otter, is a semiaquatic mammal native to Eurasia.The most widely distributed member of the otter subfamily (Lutrinae) of the weasel family (Mustelidae), it is found in the waterways and coasts of Europe, many parts of Asia, and parts of northern Africa. It makes its home in a burrow near the water's edge, and can thrive in river, lake, swamp, or estuary ecosystems. They are primarily nocturnal, but become more diurnal in winter, meaning they are active during the day and sleep at night. The playfulness of otters is mostly … Sort by. The marine otter, once heavily hunted for its pelt, is now on the endangered species list, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. What is the 5,000 Miles of Wild Campaign? They can make short, shrill whistles, whimpers, yelps and high-pitched screaming when distressed. Like most wildlife, otters may be hostile when confronted. They uses their long whiskers to detect prey underwater. Otters eat 15 to 25 percent of their body weight each day and can spend up to five hours fishing for food. In warmer weather, otters spend time in sociable pursuits. Most are dark brown in color, with lighter patches on their throats and chests. There are 13 different species of otters, the most well-known being the North American river otter and the sea otter. The North American River Otter, as its commonly known, likes water and the habitat surrounding water. This small (3–6 kg [6.6–13.2 pounds]) otter occurs on the Pacific coast from Peru through Chile and Tierra del Fuego in Argentina. Of all of our furbearing species a member of the Gila and San Francisco rivers as Wild and Scenic where. 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