Darwin knew this well. Otters have paws and external ears while seals have flippers but do not have visible ears. For example, sea lions are sometimes believed to be seals, but that is not the case. Otters have webbed paws instead of flippers, visible external ears, and a long, thin tail that is easy to spot. The North American River Otter has an average lifespan of 13 years in the wild, but up to 25 years in captivity. WildlifeInformer.com is your #1 source for free information about all types of wildlife and exotic pets. 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. African penguins are declining in part due to fluctuations in water temperature and increased storms on their breeding grounds. Thanks for signing up for Ocean Conservancy emails. The average river otter only weighs 15-20 pounds, while sea otters can reach anywhere from 20-80 pounds depending on their gender and age. Conversely, sea otters only give birth to one pup and care for them until they are between eight and twelve months old. Lets take a look and some similarities, and differences, between these two amazingly fascinating animals! These carnivorous mammals inhabit fresh and saltwater rivers. . 1Polar Bear vs. Wombat; Tasmanian Devil vs. Pangolin; (voting closed) WINNERS: Polar Bear and Pangolin.Day 23/20: Paws and Claws pt. Still, these two mammals are very different from one another. With this insight, you should have a better grasp as to what makes both river otters and sea otters special. They are mostly solitary but come together in groups to mate. A 2010 study found that a toxin found in blue-green algae called microcystin had killed at least 21 California sea 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 belong to the Mustelidae family while seals belong to 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. Their bodies and feet are also shaped very differently as well. Have some feedback for us? River otters and sea otters might be similar in name, but these two different classifications and populations are actually quite different in many ways, in the same way dogs have different breeds. They include; weasels, badgers, wolverines, and polecats. The Asian small-clawed otter is the smallest of all otters, measuring 65 to 94 cm (26-37 in.) They eat 15% of their body weight a day. Male seals can grow up to 6 feet in length and weigh up to 600 pounds, while otters are much smaller and typically reach up to 3 feet long and weigh between 10 and 20 pounds. The underfur is the layer closest to the body, and this fur functions to insulate their body and keep warm in very cold conditions. Sea otters also notably have two very large back feet, webbed and streamlined for paddling and swift swimming in unpredictable ocean waters. 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. Sea otter, dolphin, and penguin behavior: Your favorite animals are jerks. One naturalist was so thoroughly disgusted with the sexual behaviors of Adlie penguins that his observations were hidden from view for almost a century. Who will make it to the next round for a chance at a feature story? As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. They have dense fur that enables them to keep warm. and weighing just 1 to 5 kg (2.2-11 lbs.). There are quite a few to discuss, as river otters and sea otters belong to different genuses of animal. Such behavior led ornithologist Douglas Mock and colleagues to write Occasionally, the pen of natural selection writes a murder mystery on the pages of evolution. The Mustelidae family is very unique and encompasses about 70 different species of animals including otters, wolverines, badgers, and more. At least two of the sea otters had been previously held at the Monterey Bay Aquarium as part of their rehabilitation program for stranded and injured otters. In addition to the difference in fur, river otters and sea otters have other differences in appearance. Sea otters are bigger and thus have larger feet than river otters. Spot the difference: Asian small-clawed otter, sea otter and beaver With 13 species around the world, you can find an otter species located on almost every continent! The most common seal in the Arctic, the ringed seal is the smallest of the seal species. If we truly wish to appreciate sea otters, dolphins, penguins, and the rest, we need to consider them as they truly are and not just as the cuddly caricatures that never cease to make us go Awww.. Theyre even known to wrap their babies in kelp to keep them safe and warm while theyre off hunting, and as the Marine Mammal Center describes, these pups end up bobbing up and down on the surface of the ocean like little corks! 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. They have a very thick layer of fur on their bodies that enables them to keep themselves warm during the cold season. Although seals and otters are often believed to be related, the truth is that they belong to completely different . Honor A Loved One's Milestone Or Memory With A Donation In Their Name. They are one of the only mammals that use tools to help them hunt and feed, and they happen to have the densest fur of any other mammal on the planet. Asian Small-Clawed Otters will live around 12 years in captivity but lifespan in the wild is really unknown, with an estimated number of 5,000 left in the world. One of the main differences between a river otter vs sea otter is their species or genus classification. Sea otter | Animals | Monterey Bay Aquarium Individual Behavior Grooming. Thank you for reading! All otters must continually groom their fur to maintain its insulating qualities. 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. The limbs are modified into flippers. We shouldnt draw the curtains over the aspects of animal behavior that make us cringe, as Levick did when he coded some of his Adlie penguin notes in Greek and ultimately decided not to publish his findings. 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. River otters also reach sexual maturity earlier and are typically able to reproduce sooner than sea otters. For example, the seal and otter are two animals that have a lot in common and are often confused for one another. They have the ability to walk but they prefer living in the oceans more than staying on the land. : They are huge eaters! 8 Fun Date Night Ideas in Salt Lake City. Sea otters are larger than river otters. River otters are more petite. Your Generous Gift Will Help Us Continue To Protect Our Ocean And Its Wildlife. 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. ), while females average 22 to 26 kg (49-57 lbs.). difference between sea otter and penguin - tagestion.ca They are comparatively larger in body size. 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. All contents 2023 The Slate Group LLC. Vote below. Protect the Arctic from Future Oil Spills. One of the main differences between a river otter vs sea otter is their species or genus classification. They spend time in the water foraging for mollusks, fish, frogs and crustaceans. The Caribbean monk seal was declared extinct in 2008. 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. Partially due to that, its believed to be the most endangered cetacean in the world, a category that includes whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Otter vs. Seal: What's the Difference? - SeaQuest They may look similar, but they are two different creatures. Terms & Conditions. Thus, an otter is more closely related to a wolverine than it is to a seal. Sorry, but we failed to add you to the list. 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. They are mammals without fur as adults. The majority of river otters mate with multiple otters throughout the course of their lives, and they may have multiple litters in a year. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Site by Thrive Web Designs, Otters are one of the most fascinating and charismatic marine mammal species. Male river otters are extremely territorial, while sea otters form more friendships and bonds with one another overall. What is the difference between Otter and Seal? A sea otter also has a shorter tail than a river otter, and river otters are narrower in their body mass. This goes both ways! Can You Eat Clownfish and How Does It Taste? All About Otters - Physical Characteristics | SeaWorld Parks Their scientific name, Pinnipeds, says it all. subfamily. They are found in Eastern North and Northern Pacific Ocean. Sea otters typically give birth to only one pup, and care for their young until they become independent around eight months to one year old. River otters are smaller than sea otters in both length and weight. Since southern sea otters are found in cooler waters, its important for their fur to be able to insulate them from the weather. Sea vs Penguin - What's the difference? | WikiDiff And amorous males of various species, including the noble lion, kill infants to make their mothers available for breeding again. Male sea otters compete with one another for mates. They have a body length of about 3 to 4 feet and weigh between 40 to 60 pounds. These two similarly named and look-alike animals are, in fact, very different. Less like Flipper and more like the megalomaniacal King Snorky of The Simpsons, a dolphin has a permanent smile that gives off a decidedly creepy vibe. Southern sea otters are approximately four feet in length and weigh on average between 45-65 pounds. As the smallest species of otter, they range in size from 4.4 to 11 pounds, with a body length of only 16 to 24 inches, which makes them half the length of a southern sea otter! This makes them very different animals, especially when you consider the fact that sea otters are the only members of their genus. Their slow, quiet and sudden way. 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. 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. 8 Difference Between Otter and Seal (With Table) The elephant seal can weigh up to 6,000lbs and grows 20ft long. Both are adapted to keeping themselves warm in the water. To meet the wonderful sloths that call SeaQuest home, book your visit today at any of the following locations: Best Birthday Party Places in Fort Worth! Do you think you can tell the difference if you saw them side-by-side? Many people may not know this, but sea otters are much larger than river otters. 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. Penguin: There are a lot of different types of penguins, and climate change is affecting all of them. RETWEET for Whale or FAVE for Sea Horse #CPMarchSadness http://t.co/lzQh1SAaxZ pic.twitter.com/WPiCEtbbDt, ***TOURNAMENT UPDATES:Day 13/19: Paws and Claws pt. River Otter vs Sea Otter: 5 Key Differences - AZ Animals It lives with its family for about a year. Males are larger compared to their female counterparts. Given the violence and depravity were capable of, were not exactly models of morality. Among birds, parents under stress to provide for their offspring during rough years may boot eggs from their nests or kill some of their own chicks so that others might survive. Some river otters can be found in wetlands and lakes. Please try The rehabilitated sea otters were released into an environment of intense competition and were at a disadvantage when it came time to find a mate. Sea Otter Sea Otters are a larger species of otter. Delivered in the scientific deadpan required of such papers, the Aquatic Mammals report attributes the incidents to three male sea otters observed harassing, dragging, guarding, and copulating with harbor seals, persisting for up to seven days after the otters killed the objects of their misguided advances. Learn more. It may seem obvious, but the best way to tell if youre looking at a river otter or a sea otter is just paying attention to the body of water youre observing! This is especially problematic in Monterey Bay, where there are more male sea otters than females. Not all otters are created equal, especially when it comes to their size. When comparing the sea otter vs river otter, you may wonder if they the same animal. This is primarily due to the difference in habitat, but sea otters and river otters have different diets. Another significant difference is the number of offspring these creatures have. In Antarctica, the Adlie, chinstrap, and gentoo penguins flourished under warming that caused ice sheets to shrink. difference between sea otter and penguin - sexygeeks.be Conversely, river otters mate with multiple partners during the course of their lives. Decreasing sea ice cover is preventing Emperor penguins from finding food and sheltering their babies. However, just because an otter is spotted on the coast does not mean its a sea otter. launchpad classlink nmusd; cantonese text to speech; 15 second tv commercial script examples Or at least Im going to tarnish their reputation as some of the most charming little beasties in the seas. Only your votes can decide who moves on for a chance at a deep-dive feature story. But if theres any marine vertebrate that wins the title of the squickiest, its dolphins. The dark side of superficially cute animals is a part of their nature that reminds us that the wild does not exist for our entertainment and whimsy. SeaQuest Blog Yet, if the two creatures are closer in size, then you will need to rely on other methods of differentiating them. Peregrine FalconDay 104/1: TBDDay 114/2: TBDDay 124/3: THE FINAL FOUR: TBDDay 134/6: THE CHAMPIONSHIP: TBD, PAST ROUNDS:Round 7: Sweet Sixteen, part 2Round 6: Sweet Sixteen, part 1Round 5: Shells and WingsRound 4: Horns and HoovesRound 3: Fins and FlippersRound 2: Paws and Claws, part 2Round 1: Paws and Claws, part 1, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Maintained by Center for American Progress - Action Fund. Whats the Difference Between a Dolphin and Shark? 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. 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. More commonly known as seals, they are a widely distributed and diverse group of fin-footed, semiaquatic, mostly marine mammals. 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. They are purely carnivorous and eat a hefty diet of fish, crabs, small caimans, and small anacondas. unit 3: personal and business finance grade boundaries. Did You Know. They weigh between 45kg to 3,200kg . Sea otters also have longer bodies than river otters. Seal Vs Otter: What Are the Differences? - AZ Animals The most famous in the United States, the California seal lion can be found all along the West coast of North America. They include; walrus, eared seals, sea lions, fur seals, and earless seals. 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 can grow up to 4 feet and weigh up to 70 pounds. Their gestation period is between 60 to 86 days. Its without a doubt that otters are some of the most adorable mammals to ever grace the planet. The other two clawless otters are similar in size to river otters. 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. The species are either aquatic or semi-aquatic depending on the species. Youll have a very simple time determining if you are looking at an otter from a true seal with one or two of those factors. Not only do these two creatures have different habitats, but they have both evolved fur to best suit those habitats. However, we noticed a conundrum that many readers seem to get themselves into. The largest of the seal species, the southern elephant seal can grow up to almost 8,000 pounds and 20 feet long for adult males, while adult females are a bit smaller at 2000 pounds and 10 feet in length. SeaQuest is committed to protecting our worlds oceans and endangered animals. I graduated from Rowan University in 2014 with degrees in English and Education. In addition to this, once you know the fundamentals of what to look for, its quite easy to differentiate whether or not an otter is a sea otter or a river otter one is large and fluffy and the other is small and streamlined. Another major difference between sea otters and river otters is their mating habits. Sea otters must eat 20-25% of their body weight to maintain their body temperature. Their diets are reminiscent of their environments. 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. Southern sea otters are considered an endangered species, while Asian small-clawed otters are vulnerable. Considered a cousin of the weasel, otters are known for their elongated bodies, webbed feet, and playful antics, particularly their love of sliding down rocks, banks, or waterfalls. We also share helpful tips and guides on a variety of topics related to animals and nature. 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. In addition, severe weather can make it difficult for sea otters to forage for and find food. They feed on fish and shellfish. The Asian small-clawed otter is "slimmer" and smaller, with smooth fur and a face that looks like it is smiling. Answer: I can only speak about North American otters, of which there are two species: * Enhydra lutris - Generally called a "Sea Otter". Well, they do. 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)! Its Easy To Do. Northern Sea Otter - Alaska Department of Fish and Game Sea otters have a different diet from river otters, given their habitat and saltwater location. This results in river otters having short, sleek fur, while sea otters have long, fuzzy fur. But no, the strange sea otter attacks on baby seals are a reality and have even made their way into the technical literature. The maximum lifespan for male Nothern Elephant Seal is age 14; for females it is to age 20. Additionally, river otters have a very different social structure from sea otters, often preferring solitude over a sea otters committed family structure. There are about 33 species in this family. Both otters have their own adorable way of caring for their young and making them feel at home, too. 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. 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. While sea otters use their two webbed hind feet and tail to propel them through the water, the four webbed feet of river otters are what enable them to swim efficiently. There are twelve different sub-species of river otter, but only three separate sub-species of the sea otter. American Oceans, Quick Facts: Bioluminescence & What Causes It. : Most all seal species are carnivorous. 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. Although both seals and otters come in various sizes due to their many species, seals are almost always larger than otters. Otters webbed paws are interesting because sea otters will hold hands with their partners, so they dont drift too far apart from their group. Otter endangered status varies by species and location. Keep reading to learn more about what makes each of these species unique. With 13 species around the world, you can find an otter species located on almost every continent! Habitat loss, water pollution, deforestation, and hunting threaten their survival. 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. When you click and buy we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Red Wolf Population (Historically and Currently), Manatee Vs Dugong (Heres the Difference), 6 Types of Water Snakes in Illinois (Pictures). Otters use two layers of dense fur to keep warm when they are submerged in the water, and that is most of their lives. They entirely depend on meat for survival. It is slow moving, floats when killed, and is full of oil and baleen. These animals use both fur and blubber to keep warm, and that is one of many ways to differentiate between true seals and others. Seals are larger than otters, weighing a lot more than them and growing much longer. River otters can be found in pairs, but they tend to spend time with other otters in a more casual way. Otters spend a substantial amount of time grooming, and many species of river otters have designated areas on land for . From their curious faces to their charming behaviors, the otters of the world have earned the title of many nature lovers favorite creatures. River otters will achieve maturity between the ages of two and three, while female sea otters mature between ages three and five, and males even later between ages five and seven. The most notable physical difference between this subspecies and its northern cousins is size. Many people don't know the difference between sea otters and river otters but, with a little info, you'll be able to tell right away. With no power for the electric lights, the house was a sea of darkness. The former can reach up to 5.6 mph (9 kph) underwater, while the latter, in North America, has a maximum speed of 8.7 mph (14 kph). River Otters | Seattle Aquarium Later researchers rediscovered what Levick had seen. The Difference Between Asian Small-Clawed Otters And Sea Otters 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). Levick recorded these behaviors as aberrations from the norm of nature. Dolphins have tried to force themselves on human swimmers, a prospect made all the more terrifying by the fact that they have prehensile penises. While floating on their backs, sea otters not only nap, but also use rocks to help them . What is Our Oceans Role in the Transition to Clean Energy? There are nearly 2,000 different species! 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. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for W178 CENTEX Centex Charmyland Saru Gorilla Sea Otter Walrus Penguin Rockhoppe at the best online prices at eBay! As ethologist Sarah Hrdy has observed, there are various reasons for infanticide. Another interesting tidbit about penguins is that 15,000 years ago, they were actually able to tolerate a warming climate. The word pinniped means fin-footed or flipper-footed. difference between sea otter and penguinhazbin hotel cherri bomb removed. You may already have an idea as to what makes river otters and sea otters look so different from one another. This isnt where their social behavioral differences end, however. They weigh 1-5 kg (2-11 pounds). Sea otters eat sea urchins, seaweed, clams, and crabs. 2022 Georgia Aquarium 225 Baker Street Northwest, Atlanta, GA. Georgia Aquarium is a nonprofit committed to inspiring awareness and preservation of our ocean and aquatic animals worldwide.
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