"Hairy-nosed Otter." Cute Otters - 10 Facts about the Otter for Kids! - YouTube Giant otters average a weight of around 75 pounds but some have been noticed to be over six feet long. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Pteronura brasiliensis, 2015, doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2015-2.rlts.t18711a21938411.en, Aadrean, A., et al. 11 Adorable Facts about Otters - Fact City The golden poison dart frog (Phyllobates . 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. 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. 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. Sea otters, by contrast, nearly went extinct due to aggressive pelt hunting in the early part of the 20th century. The overall effect isn't that large, but every bit helps, and otters deserve some credit for chipping in. Otters have big appetites to account for the great conditions they face. They are small animals that average . Mating with other species is an unusual and disturbing behavior observed in some otters, particularly sea otters. They learn to swim when they are about two months old, when their mother pushes them into the water. Otters will hold hands while they sleep and drift so that they don't separate! These holts can be found along riverbanks, among tree roots, under branches, brush, or boulders. 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. Rape or, as biologists usually call it, "forced copulation" is a disturbing fact of life in the animal kingdom. Most females drown in this process. There are 13 species in total, ranging from the small-clawed otter to the giant otter. While this may seem like a cooperative and selfless act, it can also involve more sinister elements. 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. In addition, several international conventions and protocols have been developed over time to help protect these creatures from extinction. Unmasking the Dark Side of Otters: Surprising and Disturbing Facts, What Do Sea Grapes Taste Like? Prepare to see these furry creatures in a whole new light. Thirteen otter species slide down riverbanks, juggle rocks, and float on their backs in watersheds on five continents. "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.". They also love to play. 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. Otters have their cubs in underground dens called holts, which they dig themselves. Sea Otters ( Enhydra lutris) are primarily found along the coasts of the Pacific Ocean in North America and British Columbia. Use permeable pavers and native plants in landscaping. It makes its home in a burrow near the water's edge, and can thrive in river, lake, swamp, or estuary ecosystems. 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. 15 Otter Facts That Are Otterly Amazing - The Fact Site That makes it about a thousand times more dense than human hair. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Otters are adorable creatures that live both on land and in the water. Giant river otters hunt in a group of nine and hunt together, and also store food, giving them the nickname "lobos de ro" or "river wolves". Otters use their dungknown as spraintto communicate with other otters. Fun North American River Otter Facts For Kids | Kidadl A cat parasite called toxoplasmosis also poses a threat to these creatures. They also sleep wrapped in long strands of kelp like a blanket. 9. Compared to river otters, sea otters have an average size of 39.6-49.3 in (100.5-125.2 cm), making both the animals similar in size. Additionally, they can host parasites such as lungworms, which can infect domestic dogs and lead to respiratory issues. 13 Terrifying animal facts | 13 Terrifying animal facts | WWF Australia Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, 2020. Amazing Facts about Otters | OneKindPlanet Animal Education & Facts It may be tempting to try and pet the cute and. 2. Four Incredible Facts About Sea Otters KQED. They are often mistaken for beavers though. 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. Sea otters are the exception, giving birth in the water. 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. Otters also have particularly stinky poop, which even has its own name: spraints. These otters also have less webbing between their digits. 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. you cant distinguish between healthy and infected otters, making them even more dangerous. With his curiosity, experience, and love for the natural world, Aleksandar brings a unique perspective to his writing. Such disputes can lead to significant injuries or even death for the individuals involved. Otters have many long, stiff sensitive hairs ('vibrassae') that frame the snout: these help the otter to locate prey. However, otters may take their diet a bit too far because. Otter families are usually limited to pups and their mothers, and these duos will spend most of their time either feeding or sleeping. International Otter Survival Fund. The Romans were notorious for gruesome execution methods. They can also dive up to 300 feet in search of food. Giant otters grow to as long as 6 feet and weigh as much as 75 pounds. Otters have the densest fur of any animalas many as a million hairs per square inch in places. Source: 14 Fascinating, Super-Disturbing Facts About The Human Body. Predatory behavior towards non-prey species can lead to imbalances in the food chain and can cause unintended consequences for other species in the ecosystem. This may sound disturbing, but is successful. "Otter Species." Absolutely, many gentle mammals are carnivores including your pet cat! Read our about page! Most of us could spend an entire day scrolling through cute otter videos on social media. Yeah, that's right. 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. Most otter species come ashore to give birth in dens, which sometimes have been used by other animals such as beavers. Introduction to Otters - BioExpedition Royal Society Open Science, vol. They can also be harmed by entanglement with ghost nets and other rogue fishing gear. Curious to learn more? 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.". First, male otters sometimes hold pups ransom to force their mothers to give up some of their food. For years, questions about sea otters' alleged propensity toward cross-species sexual violence have passed through Snopes' inbox. 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. Boyle, Steve. But the last 40 years haven't consisted of unerring progress for the sea otter. These furry creatures eat meat, such as fish, disproportionately higher rates of fatality. This ancient marvel rivaled Romes intricate network of roads, For some long COVID patients, exercise is bad medicine, Radioactive dogs? As this is a new development in biology, further research is needed to determine precisely how this species started to host the virus. 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 . Sea otters are generally violent and aggressive when mating. Obviously, one report does not mean that all species members will do this, but its still worth noting. River Otter - Facts and Beyond | Biology Dictionary Creepiest Pokmon: The 10 most disturbing of all time The only places without endemic otters are Australia and Antarctica. Mothers groom pups and blow air into the clean coat to create buoyancy. 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. U.S.D.A. Meanest Animals in the World (Disturbing Facts) - UrduFOX This ancient religion considered otters to be the dogs of the river or sea and had strict rules forbidding the killing of otters. Indeed, trauma is the norm from sea otter mating, not the exception. 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. 1. In one prior report on breeding-associated mortality, a tagged territorial male sea otter held a struggling female underwater until her body became limp and then copulated repeatedly with her carcass. Spraint scents can vary, but often are (relatively) pleasantone expert described them as not "dissimilar to jasmine tea." North American River Otter | National Geographic Only one otter species seems to be thriving, and that's the North American River Otter. That's right, the adorable mammals have been known to exhibit necrophilia, even with members of different species, such as baby seals. Email: [emailprotected]. People love otters. Yes, they live in intricate social structures, with a distinct hierarchy that dictates their interactions. In detail, the male otter will bite down the female otters nose as the ritual begins causing physical injuries. Most injuries caused by them are minor, consisting of bites and scratches that can lead to infections. Despite spending most of their time in the water, otters cant breathe underwater; as mammals, they need air. Two species . This may not surprise those who know the animal well, but its important to note that otters are carnivores. 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,. But some, particularly in present-day Canada and Alaska, viewed the river otter "with awe and dread" and associated the creatures with the undead and drowning. This ancient religion considered otters to be the dogs of the river or sea and had strict rules forbidding the killing of otters. The giant otter is an endangered species found in South America, primarily along the Amazon river and the Pantanal. Otters reach swim speeds of up to 7 miles per hour. They communicate with each other using a variety of vocalizations, including whistles, growls, and chirps. Despite regulations designed to protect them, many species remain at risk from pollution and habitat loss. A trapping license and open season are required to trap river otters. Photo by Nathan Varley A one parent operation Fathers do not play a role in parenting. One of the most disturbing facts about otters is their status on the endangered species act list. Poaching for their velvet-like fur caused significant population declines. She is the author of "The Ethiopian Wolf: Hope at the Edge of Extinction. Otters have some interesting relatives. Sea Otters as Keystone Species | A World Unseen: the diversity of life Sea otters have an ingenious method to open shellfish. Jaymi Heimbuch is a writer and photographer specializing in wildlife conservation, technology, and food. They live in intricate social structures, with a distinct hierarchy that dictates their interactions. This provides everyone with easy access to information that they can use to become more informed on natural systems and conservation efforts. In the absence of females of their own kind, then, they turned their typical sexual responses toward the seals.