They have webbed feet, water-repellent fur to keep them dry and warm, and nostrils and ears that close in the water. : Most all seal species are carnivorous. It might be because river otters have to fight the strong currents of a river and catch their food and fish. Learn More About Estate Planning. Their tails alone can grow to 24 inches!. They consume around 10 lbs of food per day. There are nearly 2,000 different species! Contact us today. While members of both otter subtypes love to swim, the swimming behaviors they engage in are quite distinct. Both types of otters need their coats to form a layer of insulation that traps air to keep them warm, and they certainly need it when areas like the Pacific dip to chilly temperatures that are often between 35 and 60 (and even lower than that as you move up the coast toward Alaska and Canada)! again or contact 1.888.780.6763, Learning From and Standing With Climate Justice Communities, Senior Policy Analyst, Fish Conservation Program, Sorry, but we failed to add you to the list. Another interesting tidbit about penguins is that 15,000 years ago, they were actually able to tolerate a warming climate. This makes them very different animals, especially when you consider the fact that sea otters are the only members of their genus. Giant Otters have a smaller lifespan in the wild at about 10 years. There are quite a few to discuss, as river otters and sea otters belong to different genuses of animal. Wannabe mother primates may steal the baby of another and unintentionally starve that infant in a phenomenon called aunting to death. Dominant wild dogs may kill the offspring of subordinate members of the pack to make sure the alphas infants get the most food. Sea Otter Sea Otters are a larger species of otter. 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. Travailleur Autonome Gestion michigan department of corrections directory; Still, these mammals are very different from one another, and were going to show you the differences between a seal vs otter. In what promises to be two close matches, Sea Otter will face off against Penguin, and ThinkProgress office-favorite Sea Horse will battle the severely endangered North Atlantic Right. The newborn is taken care of by the males, females, and other offspring. difference between sea otter and penguin. We can find beauty and poetry in nature, but we can also find terror and savagery, all essential parts of the entire picture. Some local populations, such as Gray seals in the Baltic Sea, are endangered. Sea otters are larger Dolphins kill other marine mammals and fish just for fun and commit infanticide. There are 33 species of pinnipeds alive today and, they too can be found on every continent on Earth! Sea Otter: We mentioned last time that sea otters are threatened by toxic algal blooms, which are exacerbated by climate change. For example, if you see a creature with flippers and no tail or ears, its clearly a seal rather than an otter. Otter belongs to the Mustelidae family while the seal belongs to the Phocidae family. Both are good swimmers but when we compare the two, the seals win because of their streamlined bodies and flippers that enable them to move in water fast. Darwin knew this well. The seal and otter are two animals that both love to call water home and have a face that can tell a thousand stories! They have a very thick layer of fur on their bodies that enables them to keep themselves warm during the cold season. Watch Five Giant River Otters Face-Off Against a Huge Jaguar, Watch a Group of Massive River Otters Defeat a Crocodile in Vicious Battle, River Otter vs Sea Otter: 5 Key Differences. Both species face threats of pollution, habitat loss, and reduced food sources. What makes each species unique, and what are the signs that make each one recognizable? Please try Two out of those three species are now in decline. While it may be obvious, river otters are found in rivers while sea otters are found in the sea. They have short limbs with webbed feet. SeaQuest is committed to protecting our worlds oceans and endangered animals. Graduating Southern Oregon University with a BFA in Theatre and a specialization in creative writing, I have an invested interest in a variety of topics, particularly Pacific Northwest history. Sea otters also have longer bodies than river otters. For example, sea lions are sometimes believed to be seals, but that is not the case. The dark sides of otters, dolphins, and penguins are just as much a part of their nature as the parts we find so squee-inducingly adorable. With no power for the electric lights, the house was a sea of darkness. Copyright 2023. The naturalistic fallacy refers to the misguided belief that whatever is natural is good. Ocean Conservancy, International Coastal Cleanup, Trash Free Seas, Trash Free Seas Alliance, Global Ghost Gear Initiative, Urban Ocean and Clean Swell are registered trademarks of Ocean Conservancy. Sea otters mate for life, as many people know, but this is not the same for river otters. Male sea otters can weigh up to 99 pounds, while female sea otters typically weigh around 44 pounds. Sea otters are hardly the only marine animals to behave in ways that make us cringe. First, sea otters are two to three times the size of river otters and, when at the water's surface, they float on their backs, while river otters swim belly down like most animals. From their curious faces to their charming behaviors, the otters of the world have earned the title of many nature lovers favorite creatures. These remaining otters can be found in rivers, lakes, and freshwater wetlands. While it may seem obvious at first, you may not know all of the differences between a river otter vs sea otter. Seals belong to Phocidae, and otters belong to the Mustelidae, so they are not even close to being related. SeaQuest Blog They may look similar, but they are two different creatures. Still, these two mammals are very different from one another. Still, the attempts to mate with seals requires an explanation. Habitat loss, water pollution, deforestation, and hunting threaten their survival. The average lifespan of a sea otter is twelve to fifteen years in the wild, but the average lifespan of a river otter is only nine to twelve years. Another key difference between a river otter vs sea otter is their preferred locations and habitats. Both are marine mammals and have lungs that they use to breathe. Members of Phocidae are known as earless seals or true seals. The main difference between the two species is their size; Asian small-clawed otters are the smallest otters in the world, while sea otters are the largest. Levick was aghast because he viewed the penguins in human termsas little gents and dames dressed to the nines. Otters spend the vast majority of their time in the water, and they even sleep in the water. The sea otter (Enhydra lutris) can be split into two regional subspecies. A sea otter can grow to be up to 4 feet long, while a river otter only grows to be about 2.5 feet long. What is natural is not inherently good or evil: It simply is, and wed be fools to take such examples as models of right or wrong. This makes people think that it is the same animal. The elephant seal can weigh up to 6,000lbs and grows 20ft long. Seals primarily eat fish, while otters eat a variety of items including fish, amphibians, crustaceans, and small mammals. We shouldn't draw the curtains over the aspects of animal behavior. Its actually quite easy to understand the physical differences between sea otters and river otters once we understand that there is actually only one species of true sea otter. They are basically carnivores. In addition, severe weather can make it difficult for sea otters to forage for and find food. River otters actually have two layers of short, coarse fur. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. All otters must continually groom their fur to maintain its insulating qualities. Since southern sea otters are found in cooler waters, its important for their fur to be able to insulate them from the weather. According to the IUCN, this can make it hard for otters to meet their high metabolic needs, leading to malnutrition or starvation.. Taxonomically speaking, there is actually only one species of sea otter! At Arctic Tundra we've created a habitat just like the grassy tundra near Point Hope, Alaska - and filled it with massive muskoxen. There are 13 species of otters. Their gestation period lasts between 9 to 12 months. . On average, river otters have two to three pups per litter with the pups going off on their own after about six months to a year. A post shared by Daniel Rosengren (@naturebydanielrosengren). They even have the adorable habit of floating on their backs, even while theyre eating, and have been known to hold hands with each other while sleeping so they dont drift apart from their pals! Seals are larger than otters, weighing a lot more than them and growing much longer. 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. The marine creatures also serve as fighters of climate change: their main preysea urchinslike to eat kelp, so by keeping the sea urchin population at a sustainable level, they keep kelp forests lush. The Asian small-clawed otter is "slimmer" and smaller, with smooth fur and a face that looks like it is smiling. . With this insight, you should have a better grasp as to what makes both river otters and sea otters special. Asian small-clawed otters have relatively short hair that consists of two layers a coarse, waterproof outer coat and a softer, finer layer that is used for warmth. A river otter mother usually has between two and three babies, called pups. While sea otters and river otters share many differences, they do share a major similarity - the threats they face in the wild. There are a few exceptions: The Galpagos fur seal and the Monk seal are both now have an Endangered status. More commonly known as seals, they are a widely distributed and diverse group of fin-footed, semiaquatic, mostly marine mammals. A final difference between a river otter vs sea otter lies in their social behaviors and mating habits. Otters have paws and external ears while seals have flippers but do not have visible ears. difference between sea otter and penguin. If you see a vast creature, then its probably a seal and not an otter. This only gets creepier given the recent suggestion that dolphins actually have names that they call one another. Only your votes can decide who moves on for a chance at a deep-dive feature story. Inside pregnant sand tiger sharks, for example, the first embryo to grow large enough rapidly devours all the other unborn sharks in its shared womb. If you look closely at river otters, youll notice that they have short, coarse fur made up of two layers: one for keeping them warm, and another waterproof one outside of that. However, when you add seals that arent true seals to the mix, the presence of ears can be a confounding factor. Heres a quick snapshot of just some of the otter and seal species size ranges: Asian Small Clawed Otters are the smallest species of otter. One naturalist was so thoroughly disgusted with the sexual behaviors of Adlie penguins that his observations were hidden from view for almost a century. But if theres any marine vertebrate that wins the title of the squickiest, its dolphins. Sea otters are bigger and thus have larger feet than river otters. And amorous males of various species, including the noble lion, kill infants to make their mothers available for breeding again. While sea otters and river otters share many differences, they do share a major similarity the threats they face in the wild. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. Otters are smaller while seals are comparatively large when it comes to body size. Another significant difference is the number of offspring these creatures have. Asian small-clawed otters spend more of their time on land than in water, which helps keep a stable body temperature. Giant Otters are the largest otter species and are very similar to large river otters. River otters, despite their name, can be found in fresh and salt water. Whats the Difference Between a Dolphin and Shark? In this article, we will address all of these differences in detail, including their physicality and social behavior. Both are adapted to keeping themselves warm in the water. The gestation period for otters lasts between 60 to 86 days while the gestation period for seals lasts between 9 months to 12 months. These two different animals have their key differences, but one thing is for sure: theyre all still otterly loveable wildlife all the same! What is Our Oceans Role in the Transition to Clean Energy? Their gestation period is between 60 to 86 days. Both otters have their own adorable way of caring for their young and making them feel at home, too. Make A Lasting Impact By Leaving A Gift To Ocean Conservancy In Your Will. In what promises to be two close matches, Sea Otter will face off against Penguin, and ThinkProgress office-favorite Sea Horse will battle the severely endangered North Atlantic Right Whale. Why are these male sea otters killing seals? The distinction between these two is important: the sea otter will spend its entire life floating in the ocean, swimming, feeding, and reproducing. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. There are about 33 species in this family. Have some feedback for us? Careers, 2023 SeaQuest, All Rights Reserved. The sea otter we know is quite a bit larger in stature than the average river otter, the largest adults weighing up to 100lbs, heavier even than the largest river otter, the Giant otter (Pteroneura brasiliensis). While a southern sea otters fur maintains heat well in the cold water, their metabolism must work quickly to help keep the animal warm. Some local populations, such as Gray seals in the Baltic Sea, are endangered. Males are larger compared to their female counterparts. Not only is this useful for staying together, but it also keeps them away from the shore where many of their predators reside. They are agile and flexible due to their four limbs and streamlined bodies. Sea otters have a different diet from river otters, given their habitat and saltwater location. Seals are marine mammals in the Phocidae family. In addition, sea otters tend to live in small to large familial groups, but river otters, especially males, are more territorial, and while they will be social, they prefer solitary lives or in small family groups. In desperation, some male Adlie penguins tried to mate with the ground until they ejaculated. You might not be able to tell by looking at them, but river otters and sea otters have very different fur. Additionally, river otters have a very different social structure from sea otters, often preferring solitude over a sea otters committed family structure. One thing many people dont realize is just how much larger sea otters are compared to river otters. An adorable detail about sea otters is the fact that they hold paws when sleeping to avoid drifting away from their familial units. With 13 species around the world, you can find an otter species located on almost every continent! difference between sea otter and penguin. There are 13 species of otters in the world, with 12 of those species requiring access to freshwater and only one species residing in the ocean. What is the difference between Otter and Seal? Answers: These three are all sea otters (credit: Deanna Lynch/USFWS) while the first and last photos in this blog are river otters (credit: Barry Troutman). Their swimming mechanisms are also a little different. Some river otters can be found in wetlands and lakes. Have some feedback for us? Please try The largest sea otters can weigh up to one hundred pounds, but river otters are much smaller.
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