Thank you for visiting! And amorous males of various species, including the noble lion, kill infants to make their mothers available for breeding again. The key differences between seals and otters are size, family, and their method of thermoregulation. For if such awful displays occurred in nature, what might that say about our own actions? The victims that were necropsied by veterinarians had lesions around the nose, eyes, flippers, and genitals, including perforations in the vaginal and rectal tracts. While they are both otters, river otters belong to the Lontra genus, while sea otters belong to the Enhydra genus. Southern sea otters are approximately four feet in length and weigh on average between 45-65 pounds. The key differences between seals and otters are size, family, and their method of thermoregulation. Seals themselves have been observed to cause similar kinds of trauma when groups of males mob females. Giant Otters have a smaller lifespan in the wild at about 10 years. They are found in Eastern North and Northern Pacific Ocean. There are twelve different sub-species of river otter, but only three separate sub-species of the sea otter. At Georgia Aquarium, we are home to two species of otter Asian small-clawed ottersandsouthern sea otters. Sea otters are slow swimmers, while their river-living counterparts are rather agile. Thank you for reading! Learn more. Sea otters are larger than river otters. The most common seal in the Arctic, the ringed seal is the smallest of the seal species. While both species enjoy the company of many otters, sea otters form powerful partnerships with their chosen mate. Male sea otters typically grasp the female from behind and bite her face, and this rough behavior was associated with the deaths of about 11 percent of dead sea otters discovered between 2000 and 2003. On the other hand, there are 12 different species of river otter found around the world, from the North American river otter to the Japanese river otter to the Asian small-clawed otter. However, sea otters are only found in salt water and very rarely make their way onto land. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. For example, if you see a creature with flippers and no tail or ears, its clearly a seal rather than an otter. 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! Another motherly difference is how these two creatures care for their young. California Sea Lions live an average of 15 to 25 years, however some have lived to 30 years or more in captivity with proper diet and healthcare. Can You Eat Clownfish and How Does It Taste? The Knysna seahorse is extremely vulnerable to increases in water temperatures; in 1991, more than 3,000 were found dead after heavy rainfall resulted in higher than normal temperatures. The reason for this skew in the population is unclear, but it leaves male sea otters in a bind. 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). . Sea otters mate for life, as many people know, but this is not the same for river otters. If you find these critters as otterly . We focus on how to be proactive in finding solutions. It has "toes" on its feet. The other two clawless otters are similar in size to river otters. The Caribbean monk seal was declared. 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)! Giant Otter Giant Otters are the largest otter species and are very similar to large river otters. The majority of river otters mate with multiple otters throughout the course of their lives, and they may have multiple litters in a year. They feed on fish and shellfish. Thank you for reading! The Northern fur seal and Nooded seal are vulnerable. While sea otters and river otters share many differences, they do share a major similarity - the threats they face in the wild. Seals are larger than otters, weighing a lot more than them and growing much longer. Did you know that sea otters mate for life? Get Out Your Green & Gold! Taxonomically speaking, river otters and sea otters are different genera. These two different animals have their key differences, but one thing is for sure: theyre all still otterly loveable wildlife all the same! River otters have a thick, lustrous coat that keeps them warm. It is a grave mistake to see the so-called "depravity" of penguins, dolphins, and otters in the same way as our own behavior. Not to mention that we nearly eradicated sea otters out of lust for their pelts, and we continue to keep dolphins confined in small, hard-walled, unhealthy environments for nothing more than our amusement. They can grow up to 4 feet and weigh up to 70 pounds. Sea otters are mainly native to the northeastern seaboards of the Pacific Ocean, so they aren't spotted in areas like the East Coast or the Gulf of Mexico. There are about 33 species in this family. We focus on how to be proactive in finding solutions. Since southern sea otters are found in cooler waters, its important for their fur to be able to insulate them from the weather. And kelp forests are good at storing carbon: a study in 2012 found that the presence of otters helped carbon storage in North American kelp forests surge. Seals are larger than otters, weighing a lot more than them and growing much longer. Taxonomically speaking, river otters and sea otters are different genera. 2. They also feed on invertebrates and small animals found in the sea. Still, these mammals are very different from one another, and were going to show you the differences between a seal vs otter. While visiting Adlie penguins rookeries, Levick was shocked by the activities of what he called hooligan cocks. Males accosted and copulated with other males, females that were injured, chicks that had tumbled from their nests, and corpses. difference between sea otter and penguin. The maximum lifespan for male Nothern Elephant Seal is age 14; for females it is to age 20. Otters have paws and external ears while seals have flippers but do not have visible ears. Rather than being deviant, the behaviors were a regular part of penguin life, triggered by males associating a rather flexible interpretation of a females mating posture with receptiveness. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. Their tails alone can grow to 24 inches!. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. The one exception to these rules is the Marine otter (Lontra felina) these otters are the only species of otter outside the Sea otter that reside in and around saltwater environments. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. Otters have webbed paws instead of flippers, visible external ears, and a long, thin tail that is easy to spot. Otters and seals have many things in common. Otters spend the vast majority of their time in the water, and they even sleep in the water. They have a body length of about 3 to 4 feet and weigh between 40 to 60 pounds. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The American Oceans Campaign is dedicated primarily to the restoration, protection, and preservation of the health and vitality of coastal waters, estuaries, bays, wetlands, and oceans. As Douglas and colleagues stressed in their preface to Levicks report, though, the behavior [displayed by hooligan males] is clearly not analogous to necrophilia in the human context. That fact can easily be lost when one is appalled by an animal acting out a human taboo. In contrast, sea otters actually have one layer of fur, which happens to be the densest fur of any other known animal. Make A Lasting Impact By Leaving A Gift To Ocean Conservancy In Your Will. Not all otters are created equal, especially when it comes to their size. Thus, an otter is more closely related to a wolverine than it is to a seal. They consume around 10 lbs of food per day. River otters are more petite. 8 Fun Date Night Ideas in Salt Lake City. But no, the strange sea otter attacks on baby seals are a reality and have even made their way into the technical literature. Sea otters have an average lifespan of 12-15 years in the wild while river otters live an average of 9-12 years. In addition to the difference in fur, river otters and sea otters have other differences in appearance. At Georgia Aquarium, guests can see our southern sea otters in ourCold Water Questgallery and our Asian small-clawed otters in ourSouthern Company River Scoutgallery. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Site by Thrive Web Designs, Otters are one of the most fascinating and charismatic marine mammal species. For as cute as they are while intertwining paws at an aquarium, frolicking among the wafting fronds of California kelp forests, or smashing sea urchins open with stones, some sea otters have developed the disturbing habit of humping and drowning baby seals. They are found all over the world and live in all waters both the arctic and subarctic. You might not be able to tell by looking at them, but river otters and sea otters have very different fur. Its without a doubt that otters are some of the most adorable mammals to ever grace the planet. But the general idea is the same: if the otter isnt floating in the ocean, its most likely a river otter, and vice versa! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Caribbean monk seal was declared extinct in 2008. Adult sea otters may grow up to 5 feet in . A post shared by Daniel Rosengren (@naturebydanielrosengren). The sea otters legs arent made for walking, like river otters are, but for constant swimming. Sea Otter: We mentioned last time that sea otters are threatened by toxic algal blooms, which are exacerbated by climate change. 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 Mustelidae family is very unique and encompasses about 70 different species of animals including otters, wolverines, badgers, and more. River otters and sea otters have different lifespans. What is Our Oceans Role in the Transition to Clean Energy? Learn how to tell them apart quickly and easily! There are 13 species of otters. And always keep in mind where youre looking if youre at the ocean, chances are youre looking at a sea otter as opposed to a river otter. Otters webbed paws are interesting because sea otters will hold hands with their partners, so they dont drift too far apart from their group. River otters also eat a different diet when compared to sea otters. They eat 15% of their body weight a day. According to the IUCN, this can make it hard for otters to meet their high metabolic needs, leading to malnutrition or starvation.. While floating on their backs, sea otters not only nap, but also use rocks to help them . SeaQuest Blog Seals are marine mammals in the Phocidae family. hold hands with other otters so they dont drift apart, Watch Five Giant River Otters Face-Off Against a Huge Jaguar, Watch a Group of Massive River Otters Defeat a Crocodile in Vicious Battle, Weight: 10lbs-99lbs Length: 2ft-6ft, Blubber deposits under the skin keep true seals warm, -Dense fur that has two layers, guard hairs, and insulating underfur, Spend equal amounts of time on land and in the water, Spend the vast majority of their time in the water. Otter endangered status varies by species and location. 2Lemur vs. Koala; Panda vs. Wolverine (voting closed) WINNERS: Koala and Wolverine.Day 33/23: Fins and FlippersSea Lion vs. Sea Horse; Penguin vs. Manatee; Walrus vs. Sea Otter; Whale vs. Salmon (voting closed) WINNERS: Sea Horse, Sea Otter, Whale, and Penguin.Day 43/24: Horns and HoovesElephant vs. Horned Lizard; Rhino vs. Narwhal; Saola vs. Moose; Mountain Goat vs. Reindeer (voting closed) WINNERS: Elephant, Narwhal, Moose, and Mountain Goat.Day 53/25: Shells and WingsSea Turtle vs. Pelican; Sage Grouse vs. SeaQuest is committed to protecting our worlds oceans and endangered animals. They have webbed feet, water-repellent fur to keep them dry and warm, and nostrils and ears that close in the water. The most famous in the United States, the California seal lion can be found all along the West coast of North America. The identity of a pair of repeat offenders held a clue. To meet the wonderful sloths that call SeaQuest home, book your visit today at any of the following locations: Utah, Las Vegas, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Sacramento, Minneapolis, Connecticut, Lynchburg, New Jersey, and Atlanta. Dolphin Coast Presented by Margaritaville by Wyndham, Beginning Environmental Leadership Program, Next Up: Sea Lion Pup Born at Georgia Aquarium, Alliance of Marine Mammals Parks & Aquariums (AMMPA), International Marine Animal Trainer's Association (IMATA). difference between sea otter and penguin. They are not very graceful on land because of their flippers, but they manage to move very well in the water. They are very different from other mammals that share the seals name or lineage. African penguins are declining in part due to fluctuations in water temperature and increased storms on their breeding grounds. Darwin knew this well. Asian small-clawed otters have a body length of 30-45 cm (12-18 inches) and a tail length of 15-25 cm (6-10 inches). Since river otters are much smaller, they are more prone to predators. The marine otter simply lives near the ocean, diving in only to feed. Habitat degradation due to development and accidental bycatch from shrimp and fishing vessels also endanger these charismatic creatures. The main feature that makes otters appear different from seals is the body size. All otters must continually groom their fur to maintain its insulating qualities. Males are larger compared to their female counterparts. Scientists believe this difference is due to the size difference between the two creatures. 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. The main difference between otter and seal is that Otters are comparatively smaller in body size while seals are comparatively larger in body size. Male bottlenose dolphins will sometimes team up to target a single female and harass her persistently, forcing her to mate with them despite her attempts to escape. Many creatures dwell in the water, and some of them are difficult to tell apart. difference between sea otter and penguin. difference between sea otter and penguinhazbin hotel cherri bomb removed. I cant say I look forward to the day when scientists discover dolphin slurs. What sea otters, dolphins, and penguins sometimes do to one another in their attempts to mate can make us feel queasy, but this is just one sort of animal behaviors that have been unsettling us since the Victorian era. YES! Additionally, river otters have a very different social structure from sea otters, often preferring solitude over a sea otters committed family structure. Sea Otters have an average lifespan of 15-20 years but in captivity, some live over 25 years. union county latest news They are mostly solitary but come together in groups to mate. If youre on a river in the middle of the North American continent, far away from any seaboard: its a river otter. The sea otter (Enhydra lutris) can be split into two regional subspecies. It is a grave mistake to see the so-called depravity of penguins, dolphins, and otters in the same way as our own behavior. Heres a list of 9 ways that sea otters and river otters are different from one another. Some river otters can be found in wetlands and lakes. Theyre both known for spending a lot of time in the water, something that is unusual for mammals that dont spend their entire lives in water. Our work is focused on solving some of the greatest threats facing our ocean today. Most immediately noticeable is the difference in fur types river otters have short, sleek fur, while sea otters are distinctly fluffy, with long, fuzzy fur thats extremely dense and warm. The Northern sea otter and the Southern sea otter, but in actuality, this is the one and only species of otter that is a lifelong ocean-dweller. There are many distinguishing features between a river otter vs sea otter. A fully grown otter weighs between 14 to 45 kg and this makes them the heaviest member among the smallest marine animals. These two similarly named and look-alike animals are, in fact, very different. Conversely, river otters mate with multiple partners during the course of their lives. River otter mothers care for their pups until they are between six and twelve months old. * {{quote-news, year=2013, date=April 9, author=Andrei Lankov, title=Stay Cool. Hindflippers rotate underneath to allow them to walk on land, Swim underwater using foreflippers like wings of a bird, Move on land by wiggling on belly and keep hindflippers straight out, Swim by steering with foreflippers and powering with hindflippers, All pinnipeds (seals, sea lions and walruses) are protected in U.S. waters under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, according to NOAA. (Major seas are known as oceans.) Later researchers rediscovered what Levick had seen. For whichever animal wins, ClimateProgress will write a feature-length article exploring the story behind whats ailing your chosen critter, and who is working to save them. When they are not in the water, river otters forage the land for food and build burrows or dens for their young. 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. Although both seals and otters come in various sizes due to their many species, seals are almost always larger than otters. Asian Small-Clawed Otters have a classification of Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List while Sea and Giant Otters are listed as Endangered as of today. Many people may not know this, but sea otters are much larger than river otters. Sea otters will be in the sea, river otters will be in the river. In desperation, some male Adlie penguins tried to mate with the ground until they ejaculated. Theyre found along coastal areas of the Pacific Ocean ranging from California to Russia, and spend a majority of their time swimming, eating, and sleeping in saltwater. When I'm not writing personally or professionally, you can find me camping along the Oregon coast with my high school sweetheart and Chihuahua mix, or in my home kitchen, perfecting recipes in a gleaming cast iron skillet. This is likely due to their respective sizes and predators in their environments, as sea otters grow much larger than river otters do. Seals primarily eat fish, while otters eat a variety of items including fish, amphibians, crustaceans, and small mammals. Their familial units are very strong, while river otters tend to lead solitary lives. While it may seem obvious at first, you may not know all of the differences between a river otter vs sea otter. In terms of colours, seals have thick fur coats that range from pale yellow to light grey and dark brown. Lets talk more about all of these differences in more detail now. The ordeal must have been horrific for the seals. One of the main differences between a river otter vs sea otter is their species or genus classification. Many of, Crocodiles are among the most terrifying animals of all time. I am a non-binary freelance writer working full-time in Oregon. They are purely carnivorous and eat a hefty diet of fish, crabs, small caimans, and small anacondas. 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. However, just because an otter is spotted on the coast does not mean its a sea otter. Otters and seals share many things such as they are both mammals and have the same physical appearance although they are different from each other. While members of both otter subtypes love to swim, the swimming behaviors they engage in are quite distinct. Careers, 2023 SeaQuest, All Rights Reserved. Sea otters also notably have two very large back feet, webbed and streamlined for paddling and swift swimming in unpredictable ocean waters. This inner layer keeps them warm, and the outer layer keeps them waterproof. There are quite a few to discuss, as river otters and sea otters belong to different genuses of animal. With the help of donors like you, Ocean Conservancy is developing innovative solutions to save our ocean. Who will win? There are twelve different sub-species of river otter, but only three separate sub-species of the sea otter. Did You Know. Protect the Arctic from Future Oil Spills. Their unique bodies make it easy to tell the creatures apart. As Natural History Museum, London ornithologist Douglas Russell and colleagues reported in a preface to Levicks belatedly-released report, this behavior is so ingrained that when a researcher set out a dead penguin that had been frozen in such a position, many males found the corpse irresistible. In a bit of weird field work, the same researcher found that just the frozen head of the penguin, with self-adhesive white Os for eye rings, propped upright on wire with a large rock for a body, was sufficient stimulus for males to copulate and deposit sperm on the rock. I fear Ive just made the Socially Awkward Penguin seem just that much more socially awkward. River otters and sea otters also have habitat preferences in these unique ecosystems. Sea otters have back feet that are larger than their front feet, and much larger than the feet of a river otter. One of the main differences between a river otter vs sea otter is their species or genus classification. They spend their lives in water, and have many adaptations to their entirely aquatic lifestyle. Sea otters carry their young on their stomachs to keep them safe until they are ready to swim by themselves. When comparing the sea otter vs river otter, you may wonder if they the same animal. Sea otters have a different diet from river otters, given their habitat and saltwater location. Levick wrote an entire book about the seagoing birds on his return, describing the impression of the elegant avians like so: When seen for the first time, the Adlie penguin gives you the impression of a very smart little man in an evening dress suit, so absolutely immaculate is he, with his shimmering white front and black back and shoulders. But the species shocked and horrified Levick so much so that his four-page report Sexual Habits of the Adlie Penguin was purposefully omitted from the official expedition findings and distributed only to a small group of researchers considered learned and discreet enough to handle the graphic content.

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