"Weird and Fascinating Ways Animals Use Poop." Their diets are primarily carnivorous, but at times can be omnivorous (1). A varied diet It's no surprise that otters love fish, but they're also partial to amphibians, turtles and crayfish. Source: 14 Fascinating, Super-Disturbing Facts About The Human Body. They mark their territory with scent glands located near their tails, communicating ownership and boundaries to other otters. Otters have long been admired for their playful antics and endearing appearance. Here's what you need to know about these terrible animals, and why you should fear and hate them. Here are 13 strange and terrifying facts about animals that'll send a shiver down your spine. Sea otters, particularly mothers and pups, sometimes hold hands while floating on their backs. 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. 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? Spraint composition is unique to each otter, and the creatures can identify each other by the smells. They can also close their small ears and nose when under water. 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. ", 5. Males, in particular, are known to take a female otters food by threatening to kill her baby. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Otters have big appetites to account for the great conditions they face. Otters have been known to guard and have sex with the bodies of their victims for up to seven days after they've died. River otters line their dens with leaves, moss, and grass. They are often mistaken for beavers though. But are otters really as sweet as we think they are, or are otters evil? When the female surfaced, the male stole her food (a clam), after which the female and pup quickly departed.The human equivalent of this is probably going to a grocery store parking lot, finding a woman coming out with a small child, and holding a gun to the kid's head until the mom gives you some of her food. These conflicts are a sobering reminder of the brutality of the natural world and the lengths to which animals will go to protect their resources. River otter | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife Bodkin, J.L. His passion for wildlife stems from a childhood spent in the countryside, where he developed a deep fascination with the behaviors of wild animals. This mating behavior is typically driven by the males desire to maximize his chances of passing on his genes to future generations. Otter Facts for Kids River otters are not currently threatened, and are pervasive in Canada and the Pacific, Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico coastal areas in the US. We accept credit card, Apple Pay, and Male otters, known as dogs, have been observed biting the females nose during copulation to keep her in place. Most species hunt for three to five hours each day and nursing mothers up to eight hours each day. An Otter can remain under water for up to 4 minutes. Stephens, Tim. Yes, they have natural predators such as large birds of prey, alligators, and crocodiles. As avid animal lovers, our goal is to use our knowledge and passion to deliver accurate and reliable information about various topics related to wild animals. 2, 2005, pp. Diving into the Science! Interestingly, otters dont get sick when they have the flu. In 2001, a female otter at the Monterey Bay Aquarium gave birth to a stillborn pup on the same day a stranded pup was discovered in the wild nearby. As the sea otter thrust his pelvis, his penis was extruded and intromission was observed. The researchers found four prior scientific publications documenting attacks, including one that reported a deadly otter attack in India. Additionally, the disturbing behavior of mating with other species can impact conservation efforts and public perception of these animals, further highlighting the importance of understanding and addressing this behavior. Their nostrils and ears close to keep water out, and waterproof fur keeps them warm. She wraps the pup with kelp to anchor it while she hunts. Dolphins Otters use their dungknown as spraintto communicate with other otters. Meet the world's newest H1N1 flu carrier: the sea otter Some otters hold the female's heads underwater during intercourse to force submission. Sometimes, they will also force the females head underwater. Kerlin, Kat. Though most live in freshwater rivers, lakes, and wetlands, the sea otter and the smaller marine otter are found in the Pacific Ocean. 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. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) lists the Otariidae family as Near Threatened, indicating that their global population is declining steadily but action needs to be taken before this species becomes endangered. It shouldnt be surprising to learn that otters will force themselves on other animals. Axolotls and capybaras are TikTok famousis that a problem? Their construction activities can lead to the erosion of riverbanks, the destruction of vegetation, and the alteration of water flow in the surrounding area. River otters have webbing between their toes to aid them as well. A sea otter will float on its back, place a rock on its chest, then smash the mollusk down on it until it breaks open. I just think otters are jerks. Otter pups have so much air trapped in there, they actually cant dive under water, even if they want to. The similarities between otters and . By submitting your email, you agree to our, The case against otters: necrophiliac, serial-killing fur monsters of the sea, The secret delegate battle that will decide the 2024 Republican nominee, The Dark Brandonmeme and why the Biden campaign has embraced it explained. River otters are frequently mistaken for sea otters. This cooperative behavior allows multiple individuals to share a territory and work together to maximize their chances of survival. River otters are especially playful, gamboling on land and splashing into rivers and streams. They were considered extinct until 1998 when a scientist in Thailand found small populations. Source: 14 Fascinating, Super-Disturbing Facts About The Human Body. Generally, a group of otters on land will go by a romp, while a group hanging in the water is called a raft. This provides everyone with easy access to information that they can use to become more informed on natural systems and conservation efforts. If you thought that otters, like beavers, eat a plant-based diet, you are mistaken. Absolutely, many gentle mammals are carnivores including your pet cat! Otters have the densest fur of any animalas many as a million hairs per square inch in places. Otter Facts To Prove Otters Are Actually Huge Jerks Because of their high metabolic rates, as was already mentioned, these creatures require a lot of food and will use whatever methods are needed to get it. 9. The giant otter is an endangered species found in South America, primarily along the Amazon river and the Pantanal. Male otters have also been known to violently copulate with other speciesmost notably, baby seals [PDF]. Lets end this on a somewhat less disturbing note! One of the most disturbing facts about otters is their status on the endangered species act list. 9 Amazing Facts About River Otters Scientists hypothesize that these seemingly counterproductive mating habits might be the result of a population imbalance. Read our about page! Four Facts About Sea Otters That Might Surprise You Creating activities such as beach cleanups or nature walks where there might be an opportunity for an encounter with this species can help pique peoples interest in helping protect their habitat from further degradation. Mothers groom pups and blow air into the clean coat to create buoyancy. The act sometimes involves the male grabbing the female's head underwater and as the two turns and wriggle under the surface. Fun Otter Facts For Kids | Kidadl Forced interspecies sex. 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. Perhaps the worst (alleged) method was called scaphism, in which a person was force-fed, and covered in, milk and honey, put in a swamp,. During which time otters have adapted to live both on land and in water. Phone: +381 69 283 48 42 Otters guide: how to identify and species facts | BBC Wildlife Magazine European otter | The Wildlife Trusts Theories for what's behind the drop range widely, but the US Fish and Wildlife Survey's recovery plan for the species highlights predation, in particular from killer whales, as the most important factor behind the decline. And weve reached the most disturbing fact about these adorable creatures. Only the North American River Otter has been classified as having a stable population . While otters appear to be friendly and docile, they can become extremely aggressive when defending their territory or their younglings. This ancient marvel rivaled Romes intricate network of roads, For some long COVID patients, exercise is bad medicine, Radioactive dogs? Despite spending most of their time in the water, #4 Otters Will Force Themselves on Other Animals. Most otter species come ashore to give birth in dens, which sometimes have been used by other animals such as beavers. The otter has a lithe and slender body with short legs, a strong neck, and a long flattened tail that helps propel the animal gracefully through water. Among the most notable calls: a "hum gradation" used to tell otters to change directions and a "Hah!" They are the smallest marine mammals on earth, but they consume about a quarter of their own body mass daily and most of the energy is used just to keep their little otter bodies warm. "A Keystone Species, The Sea Otter, Colonizes Glacier Bay." A version of this story originally ran in 2015. For our furry friends, that means getting their meal by any means necessary. Advertisement. "The saving of the sea otter," writes Glenn Vanblaricom of the University of Washington in his book on the animal, "is indeed one of the great success stories in marine conservation.". Scientists Pinpoint Parasite Strain, Weird and Fascinating Ways Animals Use Poop, River Otters Take Party Pooping to A New Level, A Keystone Species, The Sea Otter, Colonizes Glacier Bay, Energy Demands of Raising a Pup Push Sea Otter Moms to the Limit. Some even move in while beavers are still present. They have long, narrow bodies, with long tails and short legs. For whatever reason, Pokmon Sun and Moon seem to have the most depressing Pokdex entries to date, and Komala is no exception: it's simply never awake, Sun tells us . Each week, we explore unique solutions to some of the world's biggest problems. All. Most otters have sharp claws at the end of each toe, which helps them to grab prey. All otters are expert hunters that eat fish, crustaceans, and other critters. Hell, Vox.com once employed its own full-time otter enthusiast. 5. Otters are very social creatures. They are also nocturnal and hunt at night. While rare, injuries to humans caused by them can occur, particularly if they feel threatened or cornered. While rare, injuries to humans caused by them can occur, highlighting the importance of respecting these wild animals and maintaining a safe distance. Surprisingly, an intriguing fact that distinguishes these creatures is their distinctive nature to live as aquatics and . They hunt for food both in the water such as fish and then also land creatures including small reptiles. North American river otters, also called Canadian otters, have long, muscular, streamlined bodies with short legs and fully webbed feet bearing non-retractable claws. The species' recovery has been considerably slower in California relative to other areas. The playful North American river otter is equally at home in the water and on land. Are Otters Mean? The Pros And Cons Of Keeping An Otter As A Pet 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. They can also be harmed by entanglement with ghost nets and other rogue fishing gear. They also sometimes intertwine their feet with another sea otter, so that they stay together. UC Davis, 2019. UC Santa Cruz, 2014. Even if you find them otherwise adorable, otters' mating habits will no doubt make your stomach turn. In some cases, dominant otters may kidnap pups from subordinate members of the group, forcing them to provide care for the stolen young. People love otters. While they hunt for food underwater, theyll often store a rock in the skin under their arms for later use. A cat parasite called toxoplasmosis also poses a threat to these creatures. The two species found in North America are river otters and sea otters, the latter of which are also found in Japan and the Pacific coast of Russia. Support our mission and help keep Vox free for all by making a financial contribution to Vox today. "Sea Otters." Otters have a communal latrine area. A mother will often wrap the babies in kelp to keep them in one place while she hunts. After raping a baby seal to death, this psycho licked his paws, like Hannibal Lecter or something. A river otter has a long, stream-lined body, short legs, and webbed feet. 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.". Four Incredible Facts About Sea Otters Survival of the fittest is a tale as old as time. This semiaquatic mammal has the weight of 11 to 30.9 lb or 5 to 14 kilograms. Interestingly, male otters have also been observed engaging in polygamous behavior, mating with multiple females during the breeding season. Of the 13 species of otter, IUCN lists five as endangered, five as near-threatened, and two as vulnerable. Why Are Otters Evil? (6 Disturbing Facts About Otters) That's why we keep our work free. Otters are often elusive, with large ranges and nocturnal behaviour making spotting them a rare and wonderful experience. Researchers found that playful sliding on a riverbank was not just efficient locomotion, but play. For the record, I'm not actually against attempts to save sea otters as a species. Learn 15 more facts about these fascinating mammals. These usually show evidence of regular use in the form of tracks, smell, spraints (feces), and general wear-and-tear. Once in the water, the sea otter gripped the harbor seals head with its forepaws and repeatedly bit it on the nose, causing a deep laceration. It's been reported in primates like orangutans and chimpanzees, bottlenose. 28 . Otters can have up to one million hairs per square inch. "Asian Short-Clawed Otter." What we can learn from Chernobyl's strays. Yes, as they build their dens, they can cause significant changes to their environment. It depends. Five Fast Facts about Otters My Green World Male sea otters have been known to engage in sexual aggression toward baby seals, an act that can result in severe injuries and even the death of the seal. It is the longest of the otter species. This high demand leaves otter mothers depleted, and many die from minor illnesses.
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