Like many animals, if an otter or its babies feel frightened, they may become aggressive and most events occur while a person was walking or swimming close to water. These power struggles can lead to violent confrontations, further demonstrating the darker aspects of otter society. What we can learn from Chernobyl's strays. Rape or, as biologists usually call it, "forced copulation" is a disturbing fact of life in the animal kingdom. They like to slide off. Otters have some interesting relatives. However, there's more to these aquatic mammals than meets the eye. They love to chow down! Like many animals, otters sometimes behave in ways that aren't exactly within the bounds of what humans would consider morally acceptable. Forceful mating practices are a disturbing aspect of otter behavior that highlights the darker side of their seemingly innocent and playful appearance. Size: Head and body: 21.75 to 31.5 inches; tail: 11.75 to 19.75 inches. Groenendijk, J., et al. These adorable aquatic mammals are clever, chatty, and oddly aromatic. Source: 14 Fascinating, Super-Disturbing Facts About The Human Body. This means. Unfortunately, it gets worse. Sea Otters Eat 25 Percent of Their Body Weight Every Day. 6 Reasons Why Otters Are Evil #1 Otters are Voracious Carnivores This may not surprise those who know the animal well, but it's important to note that otters are carnivores. We accept credit card, Apple Pay, and Sampling along the coast of Washington State found more than 70 percent of otters there tested positive for H1N1. As the world becomes more and more polluted otter populations become more and more at risk. International Otter Survival Fund. Yes, they have natural predators such as large birds of prey, alligators, and crocodiles. Young and old otters most often juggle rocks. 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. Baby ones raised in captivity squeak when introduced to water for the first time. As a sometimes aquatic creature, it shouldn't be a surprise that otters can swim up to seven miles per hour and dive down 60 feet. Depending on how hungry they are and how much they have access to food, otters arent too picky with their meals! There has been an incident where an otter had tried to mate with a dog and killed it in the process. Researchers found that playful sliding on a riverbank was not just efficient locomotion, but play. Otters are often thought of as cute, cuddly creatures, but there are some disturbing facts about these animals that many people don't know. Their diets are primarily carnivorous, but at times can be omnivorous (1). They are also nocturnal and hunt at night. Inside South Africas skeleton trade. This impact on fisheries can be particularly significant in areas with already vulnerable fish populations, where otters predation can further destabilize the ecosystem. This adds an additional layer of complexity to the already challenging task of maintaining balanced ecosystems. Oh, sure they do. 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. Royal Society Open Science, vol. Use permeable pavers and native plants in landscaping. Average Life Span In The Wild: 8 to 9 years. I've discovered it improves your ability to focus, it's more calming, you retain more information, and it gives you a more balanced and nuanced view of the world." #16. In addition, several international conventions and protocols have been developed over time to help protect these creatures from extinction. She is the author of "The Ethiopian Wolf: Hope at the Edge of Extinction. Harris cites another study that finds that about 11 percent of sea otters found dead on the California coast from 1998 to 2001 were killed, at least in part, by trauma associated with mating. Otters have a good sense of smell, and one of the more interesting otter facts is that they actually are capable of smelling things underwater. "Energy Demands of Raising a Pup Push Sea Otter Moms to the Limit." And, according to a study published in Emerging and . Most are small, with short ears and noses, elongated bodies, long tails, and soft, dense fur. The river otter is classified as a furbearer (WAC 232-12-007). Sea otters, particularly mothers and pups, sometimes hold hands while floating on their backs. The Drivers and Functions of Rock Juggling in Otters, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Otters are animals with thick fur that helps them float in the water; Otters often use rocks to crack open food; The male otter bites the female when they are breeding; While eating and resting otters often hold hands; Types of Otters. You can also contribute via. Some otters even die after intercourse from trauma. Nope, they are horrific menaces to other species. Furthermore, their presence in an ecosystem can indicate a healthy and balanced environment, which can have positive implications for fishing and other industries. A group of otters is called a raft, according to the San Diego Zoo. 5. While this may seem like a cooperative and selfless act, it can also involve more sinister elements. That makes it about a thousand times more dense than human hair. The Romans were notorious for gruesome execution methods. 1. Male otters have also been known to violently copulate with other speciesmost notably, baby seals [PDF]. On top of that, pups have 11 of their own calls that they intersperse with "infant babbling." Forest Service, 2006. Moreover, sea otters have in at least some cases shown a willingness to attack primates, as in the case of the above sea otters in the Bronx Zoo, which killed a monkey with whom they shared an exhibit. European otters must eat 15% of their body weight each day, and sea otters 20 to 25%, depending on the temperature. Keeping an eye on otters in the wild is a tricky task. Each week, we explore unique solutions to some of the world's biggest problems. Generally, a group of otters on land will go by a romp, while a group hanging in the water is called a raft. Source: Scientific Reasons for B.S Things Our Bodies Do. Otters have long been admired for their playful antics and endearing appearance. (Exploring the Intelligence of Lions), 11 Powerful Animals With No Natural Predators. This semiaquatic mammal has the weight of 11 to 30.9 lb or 5 to 14 kilograms. Langley, Liz. Not so cute anymore, are they? If you thought that otters, like beavers, eat a plant-based diet, you are mistaken. 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. In Bangladesh, otters help fisherman maximize their haul. Additionally, if an otter approaches, it is important to maintain a safe distance and avoid feeding or interacting with the animal. Additionally, they can host parasites such as lungworms, which can infect domestic dogs and lead to respiratory issues. Experts estimate that fewer than 8,000 exist. They bite their female partner's face during copulation to keep her from slipping away, leaving her with substantial facial wounds. They mark their territory with scent glands located near their tails, communicating ownership and boundaries to other otters. They are carnivores with a diet that includes a wide range of marine animals. Otters also excrete something called anal jelly that contains secretions from anal glands and shed intestinal linings. Sea Otters ( Enhydra lutris) are primarily found along the coasts of the Pacific Ocean in North America and British Columbia. 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. They are skilled hunters, feeding on a variety of prey, including fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. One of the most disturbing facts about otters is their status on the endangered species act list. In this article, well uncover the lesser-known, disturbing truths about otters, exploring their aggressive tendencies, complex social structures, and the impact they have on their ecosystems. The male of this species tends to be larger than the females. When food is hard to obtain, sea otter mothers will abandon their young and leave them to starve to death. 1 The only places without endemic otters are Australia and Antarctica. Find out if you are a sea otter specialist by checking your info against these fascinating sea otter facts. Asian Small-clawed Otter (Aonyx cinereus) - Native to South China and India, and Southeast . After raping a baby seal to death, this psycho licked his paws, like Hannibal Lecter or something. Otters' big appetites protect kelp forests by eating sea urchins. 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.". Email: [emailprotected]. 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. As natural predators of fish, they can consume significant quantities of fish, causing a decline in available stocks and potentially leading to economic losses for local fishing communities. The act sometimes involves the male grabbing the female's head underwater and as the two turns and wriggle under the surface. The history of book bansand their changing targetsin the U.S. They learn to swim when they are about two months old, when their mother pushes them into the water. Threats also include habitat degradation, pesticides, and pollution from mining. 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. People love otters. Read our about page! She wraps the pup with kelp to anchor it while she hunts. Without sea otters, the urchin population booms and destroys the kelp forest habitat. They communicate with each other using a variety of vocalizations, including whistles, growls, and chirps. Male otters' mating techniques are violent. Wildlife managers must consider not only the direct impact of otter populations on ecosystems but also the indirect consequences of disease spread. What's weirder are a) otters's tendencies to menace baby seals, b) the fact that male otters kill an awful lot of the female otters with whom they copulate, and c) the necrophilia. Since 1875 a study discovered that there have been 39 cases of anecdote attacks on humans announced in newspapers, and four recorded in scientific. That is, a male otter will bite the female's snout and place her head underwater - often drowning her or seriously injuring her in the process. Only one otter species seems to be thriving, and that's the North American River Otter. A new discovery raises a mystery. "Otter Species." Oops. They eat 9 pounds of food each day. They use their front paws with a dexterity that nearly rivals humans. 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? Skip to the end to watch the video. 30 . River otters are nocturnal hunters. On Nov. 25, 2019, comedian . Community outreach can also be an invaluable resource when it comes to engaging people around meaningful conversation efforts for threatened species like otters. Two species . It is the longest of the otter species. 5, 2020, p. 200141., doi:10.1098/rsos.200141. They rely on all that fur to trap a layer of air against the surface of their skin, and their fur is perfectly designed to do so because it's dense and spiky. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Webbed feet and powerful tails, which act like rudders, make otters strong swimmers. Thirteen otter species slide down riverbanks, juggle rocks, and float on their backs in watersheds on five continents. Even though mature sea otters weigh roughly 100 pounds, they require about 7,500 calories per day! They spend around five hours each day foraging. Here's Harris again: Copulation normally occurs in the water where the male sea otter will approach the female from behind, grip her around the chest with his forepaws, and grasp her nose or the side of her face with his teeth.Facial biting by the male commonly results in the development of skin and soft tissue lacerations of the female's nose and face that can occasionally be fatal.The problem is worse for females, of course, but younger males often mimic mating behavior with each other, which can cause similar injuries. For starters, male sea otters have been known to assault and even kill seal pups. Of the 13 species of otter, IUCN lists five as endangered, five as near-threatened, and two as vulnerable. If a sea otter's fur becomes dirty, it has trouble absorbing the air needed to keep it warm. The transmission of these diseases and parasites from them to other animals or humans is a significant concern for conservation and public health officials. Sea otters are generally violent and aggressive when mating. Yes, they live in intricate social structures, with a distinct hierarchy that dictates their interactions. This frog will kill you with a single touch. Male sea otters typically grasp the female from behind and bite her face, and this rough. Moreover, increased conservation efforts are needed in order to monitor population numbers, reduce polluting activities and stop activities that destroy their habitats. The Surprising Emotional Life of Frogs, The Ultimate Guide to Sea Urchin Taste: What to Expect and, The Mysterious Nose Scars of Female Sea Otters: Exploring. Allison, Mari-Lisa, et al. They are generally not aggressive towards humans, but they may attack if they feel threatened or cornered, particularly if they are protecting their young or territory. Otters are mammals of the subfamily Lutrinae, one of two subfamilies contained within the family Mustelidae. At Vox, we believe that everyone deserves access to information that helps them understand and shape the world they live in. Otters love to eat shelled animals, like clams, but they aren't equipped with the strength to open their food without some help. River otters are common and of "least concern" in California, but are threatened or endangered in some other states . A male river otter, by comparison, would not exceed 30 pounds. Their droppings are known as spraints and can be identified by an odour that is said to range from musky mown hay to jasmine tea to rotting fish. 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. On average, river species can live up to 8-9 years in the wild, while sea species can live up to 10-15 years. One sea otter off the coast of British Columbia apparently raped and murdered a dog. They also force sex with other species. 29 . Weight: 11 to 30 pounds. In the absence of females of their own kind, then, they turned their typical sexual responses toward the seals. These holts can be found along riverbanks, among tree roots, under branches, brush, or boulders. Who buys lion bones? The forceful mating practices of otters also have implications for conservation efforts. Otters - in particular, the sea variety - need to consume huge amounts of food to keep active. 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. Stevens, Sadie S., and Thomas L. Serfass. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Hairy-nosed Otter, 2015, doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2015-2.rlts.t12421a21936999.en. The behavior doesn't stop when the seals die from the trauma. Theyll keep baby otters underwater until females give them their food. 2 hours of sleep? UC Davis, 2019. All. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Pteronura brasiliensis, 2015, doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2015-2.rlts.t18711a21938411.en, Aadrean, A., et al. But now, scientists are using unmanned drones with cameras to get an aerial look at otters in their element, making it easier to monitor the creatures as they dive for food and go about their day. Sea otters are the exception, giving birth in the water. However, there are three species of otter that have blunt claws or none at all.

A Eurasian river otter mother relaxes with with her two seven-month-old cubs on a shoreline in Shetland, U.K.

, The little-known history of the Florida panther. "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.". Google Pay. Advertisement. You bet they do! Their nostrils and ears close to keep water out, and waterproof fur keeps them warm. Mothers spend up to 14 hours per day foraging to support a pup's intense nutrition needs. Among fluffy kittens and puppies with big eyes, one of Earth's most adorable animals is frequently said to be the cuddly small otter. 241244. 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. Once thought to be gone from the area completely, southern sea ottersknown as California sea ottershave been making a comeback in recent years. Its thought to get its special odor, which some scientists describe as smelling like violets, from the seafood diet otters eat. "A Keystone Species, The Sea Otter, Colonizes Glacier Bay." 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. They will also use hollows under trees or old rabbit holes. 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. But are otters really as sweet as we think they are, or are otters evil? Otters won't act naturally with humans nearby, and using a telescope on a boat can get tricky in the rollicking ocean. Prey shortages are very damaging due to high caloric needs. Excellent and lithe swimmers, the young are in the water by 10 weeks of age. Educating the public about wildlife conservation and habitat protection is one of the most effective ways to promote conservation efforts. Otters also have particularly stinky poop, which even has its own name: spraints. Pretty wicked! The sea otter is the largest member of the weasel family, yet the smallest marine mammal in North America. Such disputes can lead to significant injuries or even death for the individuals involved. Otters (genus Lutra) hail from the subfamily of Lutrinae and are carnivorous mammals. In areas where otter populations are declining, conservationists may attempt to introduce new individuals to bolster the population. In water as warm as 10 C (50 F), an otter needs to catch 100 g (3.5 oz) of fish per hour to survive. Nonetheless, it is another reminder that you should stay away from these vicious beasts. Do you think that seals are the only species that otters enjoy using? Advertisement. Otters are highly active creatures, and their meat-based diet gives them energy for all sorts of mischief.

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