disturbing facts about otters
Otters have long been admired for their playful antics and endearing appearance. Most species hunt for three to five hours each day and nursing mothers up to eight hours each day. Interestingly, otters dont get sick when they have the flu. This law is enforced by the U.S. They have webbed feet and the ability to close their nose and ears underwater.Twelve out of thirteen otter species are in decline. It depends. Otters impact on fisheries is a contentious issue that has led to tensions between conservationists and fishing communities. A varied diet It's no surprise that otters love fish, but they're also partial to amphibians, turtles and crayfish. With his curiosity, experience, and love for the natural world, Aleksandar brings a unique perspective to his writing. Aboard the St. Peter, Steller and other 18th-century explorers crash-landed on modern-day Bering Island after getting separated from its sister ship. Males, in particular, are known to take a female otters food by threatening to kill her baby. Sea otters don't just have the densest fur of all ottersthey have the densest fur of all animals.
A Eurasian river otter mother relaxes with with her two seven-month-old cubs on a shoreline in Shetland, U.K.
, The little-known history of the Florida panther. 1. Sea otters have an ingenious method to open shellfish. A mother will often wrap the babies in kelp to keep them in one place while she hunts. So instead, they dropped the pup in with the female otter, and she immediately went into mom mode. Unauthorized use is prohibited. The male of this species tends to be larger than the females. The Surprising Emotional Life of Frogs, The Ultimate Guide to Sea Urchin Taste: What to Expect and, The Mysterious Nose Scars of Female Sea Otters: Exploring. Sea otters cannot swim at all for their first month, despite being born in the open sea. Description of the River Otter. Here's Harris again: Copulation normally occurs in the water where the male sea otter will approach the female from behind, grip her around the chest with his forepaws, and grasp her nose or the side of her face with his teeth.Facial biting by the male commonly results in the development of skin and soft tissue lacerations of the female's nose and face that can occasionally be fatal.The problem is worse for females, of course, but younger males often mimic mating behavior with each other, which can cause similar injuries. Playfulness does disappear, though, when food is scarce. "Sea Otters." Additionally, they can host parasites such as lungworms, which can infect domestic dogs and lead to respiratory issues. 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. Although experts say otter attacks on humans are infrequent, there are a number of recorded occurrences. Otters can be found living on almost every continent on Earth and these mean otter facts apply to all 13 species, many of which are unfortunately endangered due to over hunting, habitat destruction, and pandemic viruses among certain otter populations. Prepare to see these furry creatures in a whole new light. Of the 13 species of otter, IUCN lists five as endangered, five as near-threatened, and two as vulnerable. Otters Will Resort to Acute Behaviors Just to Get Some Food, In the Amazon, Giant Otters are the Second Largest and Most Capable Predator, Giant otters average a weight of around 75 pounds but some have been noticed to be over six feet long. If weve learned anything until this point, otters are eviler than they seem. Otters and their mustelid relatives were once hunted extensively for their fur, many to the point of near extinction. Otters can dive as deep as 14m under the surface and spend 4-6 hours a day in water foraging. 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". This rediscovery, after presumed extinction, makes them a Lazarus species. According to the Smithsonian, these mammals are the world's newest carriers of H1N1, the flu strain that lead to a human pandemic back in 2009. When faced with a threat, they wont hesitate to use their powerful teeth and strong jaws to inflict serious injury. Otters have some interesting relatives. In the downtime, though, otters love to play and will often build themselves slides along the banks of rivers. Otters have long been celebrated for their playful nature and captivating appearance, but as this article has revealed, they have a darker side that is often overlooked. German zoologist and botanist Georg Wilhelm Steller was the first to scientifically describe numerous new animals on the 1741 explorative voyage from Russia. Even mothers, though, have their dark sides. It shouldnt be surprising to learn that otters will force themselves on other animals. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Pteronura brasiliensis, 2015, doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2015-2.rlts.t18711a21938411.en, Aadrean, A., et al. All rights reserved, as many as a million hairs per square inch, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. In the absence of females of their own kind, then, they turned their typical sexual responses toward the seals. By understanding the less endearing aspects of otter behavior, we can better appreciate the full spectrum of their existence and develop more effective conservation strategies. They learn to swim when they are about two months old, when their mother pushes them into the water. When a pup is small, the mother will hold it on her belly to keep it from floating away. Community outreach can also be an invaluable resource when it comes to engaging people around meaningful conversation efforts for threatened species like otters. For example, they may harbor bacteria responsible for leptospirosis, a disease that can cause severe illness in both animals and humans. How this animal can survive is a mystery. These otters also have less webbing between their digits. Their nostrils and ears close to keep water out, and waterproof fur keeps them warm. Otters have small, rounded ears, and long sensitive whiskers to help them feel the vibrations of their prey. Google Pay. What we didnt mention, though, is thatotters can infect humans with the H1N1 virus. Support our mission and help keep Vox free for all by making a financial contribution to Vox today. Womble, Jamie. Therefore, sea otters are obsessive about keeping their fur clean, and groom themselves . Depending on how hungry they are and how much they have access to food, otters arent too picky with their meals! They can also dive up to 300 feet in search of food. How Stuff Works. Oh, sure they do. Otters have a communal latrine area. Otters are adorable creatures that live both on land and in the water. For centuries, fisherman have been training otters to act as herders and chase large schools of fish into the nets. Surprisingly, an intriguing fact that distinguishes these creatures is their distinctive nature to live as aquatics and . Otters can hold their breath for 3-4 minutes, closing their nostrils and ears to keep out water. It's been reported in primates like orangutans and chimpanzees, bottlenose dolphins, and ducks, among many other species. Otters are part of the Mustelidae family, which is a family of carnivorous mammals that includes skunks, weasels, wolverines, and badgers. River otters dont breed until theyre at least five years old. Unlike other weasels, otters are semi-aquatic. UC Santa Cruz, 2014. As a sometimes aquatic creature, it shouldn't be a surprise that otters can swim up to seven miles per hour and dive down 60 feet. Thats why organizations like the Wildlife Conservation Society and other educators are raising awareness about otters and how threats like climate change, illegal hunting, pollution, commercial fishing, the over-development of coastal areas, and waterway runoff are impacting wild populations. Link, Russell. In 2014, a study of giant otters found that the river-dwellers have 22 distinct noises they make for different situations. On average, river species can live up to 8-9 years in the wild, while sea species can live up to 10-15 years. There are around 13 extant species, out of which some of them are aquatic, semiaquatic, and marine, and their diet mainly consists of fish and invertebrates. Oops. 12 Cool Animals That Crawl (Crawl Speed & Pictures), What Eats Leopards (Top 5 Leopard Predators), Are Lions Smart? International Otter Survival Fund. So that aspect of otter sexuality isn't too unusual. They mark their territory with scent glands located near their tails, communicating ownership and boundaries to other otters. When it comes to otters, educating people about their unique place in the environment and how their presence is essential for healthy ecosystems is key. The behavior doesn't stop when the seals die from the trauma. We accept credit card, Apple Pay, and Two species . Yes, they live in intricate social structures, with a distinct hierarchy that dictates their interactions. Advertisement. That thick coat is needed because otters are the only marine mammal without a blubber layer for insulation. As a wildlife enthusiast with an insatiable curiosity for the natural world, Aleksandar is the man behind the scenes and, together with Kristina, has co-founded Wild Explained. They involve the reintroduction of captive-bred adult otters into carefully selected and monitored habitats that offer suitable conditions such as prey availability, the presence of suitable dens for accommodation, predator presence, and levels of toxic pollutants. They get their needed water and sustenance from eating eucalyptus leaves. Baby otters usually are called pups. I just think otters are jerks. Support our mission and help keep Vox free for all by making a financial contribution to Vox today. Or, she might rely on human resources and otter ingenuity to find a makeshift "playpen" for her pup. Forceful mating practices are a disturbing aspect of otter behavior that highlights the darker side of their seemingly innocent and playful appearance. Fish and Wildlife Service and is currently in place to promote recovery efforts across all states in the United States. Second, otters can give you H1N1, better known as "swine flu," as our friends at The Verge have reported. These territorial animals are more than capable of holding their own in a fight. Moreover, sea otters have in at least some cases shown a willingness to attack primates, as in the case of the above sea otters in the Bronx Zoo, which killed a monkey with whom they shared an exhibit. Additionally, some fish species may prey on their younglings. In particular, it is well known that sea otters will, As a result, if you ever find yourself in proximity to an otter (river or sea), back off. A new discovery raises a mystery. River otters live primarily in freshwater, though they do swim and hunt in seawater. In water as warm as 10 C (50 F), an otter needs to catch 100 g (3.5 oz) of fish per hour to survive. Koalas don't drink water. Oracka 4, Nova Iskra, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia Male otters have also been known to violently copulate with other speciesmost notably, baby seals [PDF]. This behavior has been documented in various locations, including the Aleutian Islands and California. They hunt for food both in the water such as fish and then also land creatures including small reptiles. Now, just because an animal is a carnivore doesnt mean its evil, right? Otters reach swim speeds of up to 7 miles per hour. While these modifications are essential for otter survival, they can have negative consequences for other species that rely on the same habitat. In addition to their unexpected ferocity when defending their territory, they also exhibit unique territorial behavior. Otters also excrete something called anal jelly that contains secretions from anal glands and shed intestinal linings. Are Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney in love, or are they good actors? Yes, as they build their dens, they can cause significant changes to their environment. As we delve deeper into their behavior and life in the wild, you may be surprised to learn that these seemingly adorable animals have a darker side. Sometimes, they will also force the females head underwater. Sea otters live exclusively in the ocean along coastlines. Otters have their cubs in underground burrows, known as 'holts'. The researchers found four prior scientific publications documenting attacks, including one that reported a deadly otter attack in India. Otters natural habitats are regularly disrupted or destroyed due to human activities, making it harder for them to survive. But with their numbers hovering around just a few thousand, researchers have kept a close eye on the population and their studies have revealed an interesting social structure. They gorge on more than 100 different prey species. This impact on fisheries can be particularly significant in areas with already vulnerable fish populations, where otters predation can further destabilize the ecosystem. 2 hours of sleep? Photo by Nathan Varley A one parent operation Fathers do not play a role in parenting. Who buys lion bones? Numerous threats to otters exist and primarily include pollution, habitat destruction, overfishing, and poaching. Keeping an eye on otters in the wild is a tricky task. Many species of river and sea otters are . , but one wrong move and you will be hurt. It shouldnt be surprising to learn that otters will force themselves on other animals. As natural predators of fish, they can consume significant quantities of fish, causing a decline in available stocks and potentially leading to economic losses for local fishing communities. When food is hard to obtain, sea otter mothers will abandon their young and leave them to starve to death. Giant otters average a weight of around 75 pounds but some have been noticed to be over six feet long. More otters -> fewer sea urchins -> more kelp -> less global warming. Webbed feet and powerful tails, which act like rudders, make otters strong swimmers. The sea otter is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List, pressured by pollution, pesticides, and conflicts with fishermen who kill them for eating their fish. Male otters, known as dogs, have been observed biting the females nose during copulation to keep her in place. Otter disappearance is evidence of pollutants, habitat fragmentation, or loss of prey due to habitat destruction. The transmission of these diseases and parasites from them to other animals or humans is a significant concern for conservation and public health officials. Creating activities such as beach cleanups or nature walks where there might be an opportunity for an encounter with this species can help pique peoples interest in helping protect their habitat from further degradation. They spend around five hours each day foraging. They are skilled hunters and feed on a variety of prey, including fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. River otters are nocturnal hunters. To save chestnut trees, we may have to play God, Why you should add native plants to your garden, What you can do right now to advocate for the planet, Why poison ivy is an unlikely climate change winner. Most are small, with short ears and noses, elongated bodies, long tails, and soft, dense fur. Every animal on Earth (including humans) has learned to adapt to its environment, which means sometimes having to make difficult (or gross) choices to survive. A cat parasite called toxoplasmosis also poses a threat to these creatures. This air has the sometimes undesirable side effect of making them highly buoyant. They mark their territory with scent glands located near their tails, communicating ownership and boundaries to other otters. Tags But few species are violent in quite as disturbing a way as the otter. Scientists suspect otters may even be able to determine the sex, age, and reproductive status of the spraint dropper just from a quick whiff. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. These conflicts are a sobering reminder of the brutality of the natural world and the lengths to which animals will go to protect their resources. But maybe the most disturbing fact about otters is that they are known to "mate" with deceased animals. This pace is three times faster than the average human swimmer. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. That's why we keep our work free. However, in rare cases, otter attacks can result in more severe injuries, particularly if the victim is a child or elderly person. Most injuries caused by them are minor, consisting of bites and scratches that can lead to infections. 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. sea otters, Disturbing facts. UC Davis, 2019. She wraps the pup with kelp to anchor it while she hunts. Giant otters grow to as long as 6 feet and weigh as much as 75 pounds. Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, 2020. When he's not writing or reading, Aleksandar can be found exploring the great outdoors with his trusty dog as a companion. Otters have big appetites to account for the great conditions they face. The aquarium has since devised a system of hand-rearing pups for the first six to eight weeksmostly for bottle feeding purposesbefore handing the pups off to female otters for raising. Sea otters murder even when it doesn't provide them with food or offspring, like straight-up sociopathic spree killers. Average Life Span In The Wild: 8 to 9 years. Otters sometimes take up residence in abandoned beaver lodges or muskrat dens. "Giant Otter." Survival of the fittest is a tale as old as time. 1. They rely on all that fur to trap a layer of air against the surface of their skin, and their fur is perfectly designed to do so because it's dense and spiky. As the world becomes more and more polluted otter populations become more and more at risk. Most otters have sharp claws at the end of each toe, which helps them to grab prey. Absolutely, many gentle mammals are carnivores including your pet cat! International Otter Survival Fund. Otters have the densest fur of any animalas many as a million hairs per square inch in places. The otters were examined in 2011 and none of the population showed any symptoms of the virus, but antibodies for the virus were discovered within 70 percent of 51 otters sampled. 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. 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. Do you think that seals are the only species that otters enjoy using? A group of otters in the water is most often called a raft. "Sea Otter Society: The Single Moms' Club." Giant otters average a weight of around 75 pounds but some have been noticed to be over six feet long. This means. 15 Fascinating Facts About Otters. As it turns out, otters can be quite evil. "Asian Short-Clawed Otter." They were considered extinct until 1998 when a scientist in Thailand found small populations. They rape baby seals and hold each others pups hostage for food. If you thought that otters, like beavers, eat a plant-based diet, you are mistaken. As explained by the National Wildlife Foundation's Robyn Carmichael, sea otters frequently eat sea urchins, which in turn are known for eating massive amounts of kelp, which is very good at taking in carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. Kerlin, Kat. And I don't just mean in the way carnivorous species always are to their prey. One of the most disturbing facts about otters is their status on the endangered species act list. - Diving into the Science! It isnt surprising, given that they need to eat around 15% of their body weight daily to survive. Unmasking the Dark Side of Otters: Surprising and Disturbing Facts. In detail, the male otter will bite down the female otters nose as the ritual begins causing physical injuries. Prey shortages are very damaging due to high caloric needs. All otter species appear on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and only one is listed as "least concern." Generally the tail will make up about one third of the body. Though most live in freshwater rivers, lakes, and wetlands, the sea otter and the smaller marine otter are found in the Pacific Ocean. A sea otter will float on its back, place a rock on its chest, then smash the mollusk down on it until it breaks open. otters can infect humans with the H1N1 virus. But you can bank on the fact that there is an otter somewhere in a river near you if you live in Britain - a remarkable success story for a species driven to extinction in many parts of the country just decades ago. Otters have bodies that are long and slim, and have short limbs. You bet they do! 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,. From blood-squirting lizards to deceivingly cute killer sea otters, there are plenty of creepy behaviours in the natural world, that far outdo the supernatural. It's not uncommon for female otters to die as a result of these aggressive encounters, either through drowning or from their wounds becoming infected. Introduction to Otters. These injuries can be so deep that they result in the females death. In areas where otter populations are declining, conservationists may attempt to introduce new individuals to bolster the population. As otters build their dens, they can cause significant changes to their environment. The giant otter is an endangered species found in South America, primarily along the Amazon river and the Pantanal. Otter families are usually limited to pups and their mothers, and these duos will spend most of their time either feeding or sleeping. After raping a baby seal to death, this psycho licked his paws, like Hannibal Lecter or something. There they exchange information via chemical cues in feces. For starters, male sea otters have been known to assault and even kill seal pups. Some Hold Hands While Sleeping. National Geographic, 2017. These furry creatures eat meat, such as fish, frogs, birds, and even mammals. All rights reserved. During mating, male otters hold onto the female and bite her nose, sometimes even hard enough that blood starts gushing out and causes deep wounds. Or a family or a raft. "The Drivers and Functions of Rock Juggling in Otters." While rare, injuries to humans caused by them can occur, highlighting the importance of respecting these wild animals and maintaining a safe distance. Only one otter species seems to be thriving, and that's the North American River Otter. To prevent injuries caused by otters, it is important to avoid approaching them or their dens, particularly during breeding season when they may be more aggressive. All otters have webbed feet to help propel them through the water, and most species . Sea otters nearly went extinct in the early 1900s because of the fur trade. These otters seem to love peat swamp forests, especially those with Melaleuca, the swamp tea-tree. They also sleep wrapped in long strands of kelp like a blanket. A property owner or the owner's immediate family, employee, or tenant may kill or trap a river otter on that property if it is damaging crops or domestic animals (RCW 77.36.030). Scientists hypothesize that these seemingly counterproductive mating habits might be the result of a population imbalance. 2023 NatureWorldNews.com All rights reserved. "Living With Otters: River Otters." In addition, several international conventions and protocols have been developed over time to help protect these creatures from extinction.
disturbing facts about otters