Have some feedback for us? Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. We know it can get otterly confusing to differentiate the species, so here are five ways to tell them apart! African penguins are declining in part due to fluctuations in water temperature and increased storms on their breeding grounds. While they are both otters, river otters belong to the Lontra genus, while sea otters belong to the Enhydra genus. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. Please try again Habitat loss, water pollution, deforestation, and hunting threaten their survival. They have flippers and do not have visible ears. Sorry, but we failed to add you to the list. Nevertheless, seals tend to be much larger than otters. The largest sea otters can weigh up to one hundred pounds, but river otters are much smaller. Sea otter | Animals | Monterey Bay Aquarium I graduated from Rowan University in 2014 with degrees in English and Education. 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. Otter belongs to the Mustelidae family while the seal belongs to the Phocidae family. 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. The North American River Otter has an average lifespan of 13 years in the wild, but up to 25 years in captivity. 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. Charming, outgoing, and intelligent, otters are part of the Mustelids family and in the Lutrinae subfamily. River otters also reach sexual maturity earlier and are typically able to reproduce sooner than sea otters. 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. Levick was aghast because he viewed the penguins in human termsas little gents and dames dressed to the nines. River otters keep their young safe by their side and in dens that they build on riverbanks, while sea otter moms typically keep their pups nestled on their stomachs as they float until they are old enough to swim on their own. Posted on June 8, 2022 ; in pete davidson first snl episode; by When I first heard about the behavior from a marine biologist friend of mine, I didnt quite believe sea otters could be so diabolical. While they are both otters, river otters belong to the Lontra genus, while sea otters belong to the Enhydra genus. There are twelve different sub-species of river otter, but only three separate sub-species of the sea otter. The largest otter, the river otter, only weighs about 100lbs when it reaches its full weight, and it grows about 6ft long. They give birth on the land. This is likely due to their respective sizes and predators in their environments, as sea otters grow much larger than river otters do. Habitat degradation due to development and accidental bycatch from shrimp and fishing vessels also endanger these charismatic creatures. Seahorse: Last time we talked about seahorses, we mentioned their fragile coastal ecosystemscoral reefs and mangroves, for instance, are especially vulnerable to disturbances brought on by warming ocean temperatures, ocean acidification, and increased flooding. Males are larger compared to their female counterparts. Seals are marine mammals in the Phocidae family. But if theres any marine vertebrate that wins the title of the squickiest, its dolphins. 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. 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. River Otter vs Sea Otter: 5 Key Differences - AZ Animals 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. A 2010 study found that a toxin found in blue-green algae called microcystin had killed at least 21 California sea otters. This makes them very different animals, especially when you consider the fact that sea otters are the only members of their genus. Your best bet for differentiating these animals is to look for their ears, flippers, tails, size, and fur. Sea otters must groom regularly to help maintain the insulation. Although its not a visible means of telling the creatures apart, knowing their family can help distinguish the creatures. As 2022 comes to a close, I am reflecting on everything weve accomplished together on behalf, Climate change touches many aspects of our lives, including the food on our plates. 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. Did you know that sea otters mate for life? For if such awful displays occurred in nature, what might that say about our own actions? Can You Eat Clownfish and How Does It Taste? Sorry, but we failed to add you to the list. River Otter Vs Sea Otter Differences You Ought To Know | Kidadl Sea otters commit to one another and raise one pup at a time. Otter and seals belong to different families. * {{quote-news, year=2013, date=April 9, author=Andrei Lankov, title=Stay Cool. From their curious faces to their charming behaviors, the otters of the world have earned the title of many nature lovers favorite creatures. or contact 1.888.780.6763, Seafood Species Vulnerable to Climate Change. Alaska sea otters are slightly larger than . unit 3: personal and business finance grade boundaries. Not only is this useful for staying together, but it also keeps them away from the shore where many of their predators reside. Sea otters are larger than river otters. Male sea otters compete with one another for mates. Its without a doubt that otters are some of the most adorable mammals to ever grace the planet. Known as Pygoscelis adeliae to scientists, and as the Socially Awkward Penguin through memes, the Adlie penguin was one of the subjects that caught the attention of scientist George Murray Levick while he ventured to the South Pole with the 1910-13 Scott Antarctic Expedition. There are nearly 2,000 different species! Sea otters mate for life, as many people know, but this is not the same for river otters. This results in river otters having short, sleek fur, while sea otters have long, fuzzy fur. Keep reading to learn more about what makes each of these species unique. River otter mothers care for their pups until they are between six and twelve months old. 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. When it comes to distinguishing between river otters and sea otterswell, what is the difference, anyway? 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. Partially due to that, its believed to be the most endangered cetacean in the world, a category that includes whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Travailleur Autonome Gestion michigan department of corrections directory; This only gets creepier given the recent suggestion that dolphins actually have names that they call one another. I've written in a variety of niches such as video games, animals, and managed service providers. We bring people, science and policy together to champion innovative solutions and fight for a sustainable ocean. Seals are larger than otters on average, and the largest members of the species make otters look positively tiny. Sea otters have a different diet from river otters, given their habitat and saltwater location. The most common seal in the Arctic, the ringed seal is the smallest of the seal species. 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. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, out of around 50 species of seahorses, all but one are vulnerable or threatened. The species are either aquatic or semi-aquatic depending on the species. difference between sea otter and penguin. Without a doubt, dolphins are jerks. The main feature that makes otters appear different from seals is the body size. 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. With the help of donors like you, Ocean Conservancy is developing innovative solutions to save our ocean. These two similarly named and look-alike animals are, in fact, very different. This is an important distinction to make, as sea otters are especially clumsy when they get on land! Otters are smaller while seals are comparatively large when it comes to body size. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. All otters must continually groom their fur to maintain its insulating qualities. The North American River otter is classified as Least Concern meaning they have safe population stability as of today. Or at least Im going to tarnish their reputation as some of the most charming little beasties in the seas. 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. Although described as the smallest marine mammal this species is quite large as otters go, reaching as much as 80 lbs. According to the IUCN, this can make it hard for otters to meet their high metabolic needs, leading to malnutrition or starvation.. Not only do these two creatures have different habitats, but they have both evolved fur to best suit those habitats. Sea otters have back feet that are larger than their front feet, and much larger than the feet of a river otter. Sure, dolphins may now and then help fishermen looking to snag fish, but dolphins intelligence and social complexity have endowed them with a suite of behaviors that make them seem less adorable than their carefully-groomed theme park images suggest. 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! Although seals and otters are often believed to be related, the truth is that they belong to completely different families. For males, the difference is also significant a southern male grows up to 70 pounds while a northern male can reach up to 100 pounds! Natural represents the world as it should besomething we feel estranged from and strive to get back. Protect the Arctic from Future Oil Spills. The sea otter is the "fluffiest" among these three animals. 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. What makes each species unique, and what are the signs that make each one recognizable? Sea otters are bigger and thus have larger feet than river otters. Parents can be as bad as siblings. difference between sea otter and penguin - gelito.co.uk While a southern sea otters fur maintains heat well in the cold water, their metabolism must work quickly to help keep the animal warm. Copyright 2023. Seals and otters are easy to tell apart if you know where to look. SeaQuest is committed to protecting our worlds oceans and endangered animals. Its Easy To Do. When seen for the first time, the Adlie penguin gives you the impression of a very smart little man. Some seals have fur, but they are not considered true seals. Im not saying any of this to put down these animals. The main difference between otter and seal is that Otters are comparatively smaller in body size while seals are comparatively larger in body size. The distinction between these two is important: the sea otter will spend its entire life floating in the ocean, swimming, feeding, and reproducing. There are about 33 species in this family. 1Polar Bear vs. Wombat; Tasmanian Devil vs. Pangolin; (voting closed) WINNERS: Polar Bear and Pangolin.Day 23/20: Paws and Claws pt. If dolphins really disappeared tomorrow, as in the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy series, I think their final message would be Screw You rather than the So Long, And Thanks for All the Fish farewell Douglas Adams imagined. 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. For example, if you see a creature with flippers and no tail or ears, its clearly a seal rather than an otter. Elsewhere in Slate, read Jessica Winters essay about her dying cat, an excerpt from Jon Katzs new book about a Rottweiler in need of rescuing, and Jason Bittels thorough investigation into bat sex. Since southern sea otters are found in cooler waters, its important for their fur to be able to insulate them from the weather. These animals use both fur and blubber to keep warm, and that is one of many ways to differentiate between true seals and others. Levick recorded these behaviors as aberrations from the norm of nature. Taxonomically speaking, there is actually only one species of sea otter! 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. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. Honor A Loved One's Milestone Or Memory With A Donation In Their Name. American Oceans, Quick Facts: Bioluminescence & What Causes It. Cetaceans (whales, porpoises, and dolphins) are categorized into two main groups: baleen whales (mysticetes) and toothed whales (odontocetes). River otters tend to eat frogs, fish, crayfish, reptiles, and birds. They move to land to escape some predators like sharks. The newborn is taken care of by the males, females, and other offspring. and weighing just 1 to 5 kg (2.2-11 lbs.). subfamily. Otters webbed paws are interesting because sea otters will hold hands with their partners, so they dont drift too far apart from their group. 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. 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. nurse unit manager interview questions and answers australia. But the general idea is the same: if the otter isnt floating in the ocean, its most likely a river otter, and vice versa! 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! This isnt where their social behavioral differences end, however. Members of Phocidae are known as earless seals or true seals. This makes them very different animals, especially when you consider the fact that sea otters are the only members of their genus. We focus on how to be proactive in finding solutions. They are both weasel family members, as evident by their long, slender bodies. These are the major differences between seals and otters, and their unique qualities become even more prominent when you look closer at these two creatures. An adorable detail about sea otters is the fact that they hold paws when sleeping to avoid drifting away from their familial units. The majority of river otters mate with multiple otters throughout the course of their lives, and they may have multiple litters in a year. What is Our Oceans Role in the Transition to Clean Energy? The word pinniped means fin-footed or flipper-footed. Sea Otters are a larger species of otter. They have a fat layer called blubber under their skin that makes them keep themselves warm during the cold season. Still, these mammals are very different from one another, and were going to show you the differences between a seal vs otter. Privacy Policy. The sea otter does, however, have a shorter tail than the river otter. Fur seals are not members of Phocidae, and they are not true seals either. Decreasing sea ice cover is preventing Emperor penguins from finding food and sheltering their babies. 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. River otters and sea otters have different lifespans.