Adult sea otters may grow up to 5 feet in . While it may be obvious, river otters are found in rivers while sea otters are found in the sea. Their hind feet are webbed to aid in swimming, and their front toes are short and stiff. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Lets dive in and get started! 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 Caribbean monk seal was declared. when actual inflation is less than expected inflation borrowers quizlet. They can grow up to 4 feet and weigh up to 70 pounds. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, out of around 50 species of seahorses, all but one are vulnerable or threatened. 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. North American River Otter difference between sea otter and penguin. 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. 5 Honest Difference Between Mouse Poop and Rat Poop with Similarities, 10 Difference Between Dog and Fox (With Table), 5 Difference Between Bed Bugs and Scabies with Similarities, 15 Differences Between Plant Cell and Animal Cell, https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/what-uc-santa-cruz-learning-about-otters, 7 Difference between Lice and Ticks (With Table), 9 Difference between Leopard and Snow Leopard (With Table), 10 Difference between Hippopotamus and Rhinoceros (With Table), 5 Difference between Farm-Raised and Wild Salmon (With Table), 7 Difference between Earthworm and Leech (With Table). Although described as the smallest marine mammal this species is quite large as otters go, reaching as much as 80 lbs. 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. We also share helpful tips and guides on a variety of topics related to animals and nature. In Antarctica, the Adlie, chinstrap, and gentoo penguins flourished under warming that caused ice sheets to shrink. Their tails alone can grow to 24 inches!. You Otter Know: The Difference Between Sea and River Otters Both seals and otters can vary a great deal in their sizes owing to their various species. 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. Its without a doubt that otters are some of the most adorable mammals to ever grace the planet. 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. Decades of efforts to help the dark gray baleen whale recover through international protection have done little to improve the species prospects. The guard hairs can be brown to black to silver. Sea otters will be in the sea, river otters will be in the river. Another major difference between sea otters and river otters is their mating habits. In other species, post-hatching battles begin almost immediately. 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. The salty crew of Deep Sea News has been trying to counteract the cuddly image of dolphins for years. Maybe the bad behavior was just a rumor. However, just because an otter is spotted on the coast does not mean its a sea otter. Otters use two layers of dense fur to keep warm when they are submerged in the water, and that is most of their lives. I am a non-binary freelance writer working full-time in Oregon. One naturalist was so thoroughly disgusted with the sexual behaviors of Adlie penguins that his observations were hidden from view for almost a century. They have a fat layer called blubber under their skin that makes them keep themselves warm during the cold season. They have flippers and do not have visible ears. Greetings From the Vortex of Unpredictability, rapidly devours all the other unborn sharks, feathery, fluffy dinosaurs killed the brontosaurus. Learn more. Sea otters also have thicker fur, often with white markings, while river otters have sleeker fur to match their streamlined bodies. They feed on fish and shellfish. The seal and otter are two animals that both love to call water home and have a face that can tell a thousand stories! 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. 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. About Us River otters have a thick, lustrous coat that keeps them warm. All pinnipeds (seals, sea lions and walruses) are protected in U.S. waters under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, according to NOAA. 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! If youre on a river in the middle of the North American continent, far away from any seaboard: its a river otter. And baby Magellanic penguins in Argentina are dying at an unprecedented rate due to heavy rains, strong storms and heat. The majority of river otters mate with multiple otters throughout the course of their lives, and they may have multiple litters in a year. Previously, Brian Switek has written about mammoth end-times, and how feathery, fluffy dinosaurs killed the brontosaurus. Did you know that sea otters mate for life? Since southern sea otters are found in cooler waters, its important for their fur to be able to insulate them from the weather. These two similarly named and look-alike animals are, in fact, very different. River otters also eat a different diet when compared to sea otters. However, when you add seals that arent true seals to the mix, the presence of ears can be a confounding factor. Welcome back to March Sadness, ClimateProgress educational bracket tournament of animals impacted by climate change and other environmental threats. Their unique bodies make it easy to tell the creatures apart. For example, sea otters are much larger than river otters in both length and weight. Enter your email and never miss an update. Georgia Aquarium, along with other zoos and aquariums, work tirelessly to educate and inspire guests, while providing our otters the best veterinary and nutritional care. Only your votes can decide who moves on for a chance at a deep-dive feature story. Their gestation period lasts between 9 to 12 months. A painful and confusing end for the poor pups. 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. 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! Sea otters also notably have two very large back feet, webbed and streamlined for paddling and swift swimming in unpredictable ocean waters. However, seals split their time on land and in the water almost evenly. Giant Otters are the largest otter species and are very similar to large river otters. Otters have paws and external ears while seals have flippers but do not have visible ears. 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. They average a length of 5 feet and weigh about 150 pounds. Protect the Arctic from Future Oil Spills. 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. Seals belong to the Phocidae family, and otters belong to the Mustelidae family. Scientists believe this difference is due to the size difference between the two creatures. Please try again A post shared by Daniel Rosengren (@naturebydanielrosengren). Marine mammals | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration River otters and sea otters also have habitat preferences in these unique ecosystems. They weigh between 45kg to 3,200kg. This is likely due to their respective sizes and predators in their environments, as sea otters grow much larger than river otters do. We focus on how to be proactive in finding solutions. River otters build dens on the riverbanks and care for their young there. For if such awful displays occurred in nature, what might that say about our own actions? Southern sea otters are approximately four feet in length and weigh on average between 45-65 pounds. Both are marine mammals and have lungs that they use to breathe. Sea otters arent only heftier than river otterstheir fur is also quite distinguishable. Otters have dense fur that keeps them warm while seals have blubber that is deposited under the skin that keeps them warm. Giant Otters have a smaller lifespan in the wild at about 10 years. But how do we tell the difference between river otters and sea otters? Seals are larger than otters, weighing a lot more than them and growing much longer. 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. Sea otters must groom regularly to help maintain the insulation. The Asian small-clawed otter is the smallest of all otters, measuring 65 to 94 cm (26-37 in.) Otters spend a substantial amount of time grooming, and many species of river otters have designated areas on land for . Not only do these two creatures have different habitats, but they have both evolved fur to best suit those habitats. Otters are comparatively smaller while seals are larger in body size. A 2010 study found that a toxin found in blue-green algae called microcystin had killed at least 21 California sea otters. 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. You might think an otter is an otter, but hopefully, this article showed you that while two creatures can be called otters, they are very different. Finally, river otters can dive to around 60 feet deep, whereas sea otters, remarkably, can dive to several hundred feet to forage for food. Their familial units are very strong, while river otters tend to lead solitary lives. While the females are similarly much smaller than the males at 10-20 pounds, male river otters only reach a maximum size of around 30 pounds. They display sexual dimorphism. Seals primarily eat fish, while otters eat a variety of items including fish, amphibians, crustaceans, and small mammals. Do you think you can tell the difference if you saw them side-by-side? The webbed feet of a sea otter. : Feed on crabs, clams, mussels, sea urchins, and abalone. For example, if you see a creature with flippers and no tail or ears, its clearly a seal rather than an otter. While sea otters and river otters share many differences, they do share a major similarity the threats they face in the wild. 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. Asian small-clawed otters are just the opposite. 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. WildlifeInformer.com is your #1 source for free information about all types of wildlife and exotic pets. Otters are smaller while seals are comparatively large when it comes to body size. We can find beauty and poetry in nature, but we can also find terror and savagery, all essential parts of the entire picture. 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. Their fur is made up of a dense underfur, ranging in color from brown to black, and longer guard hairs. 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. 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. Their gestation period is between 60 to 86 days. But the general idea is the same: if the otter isnt floating in the ocean, its most likely a river otter, and vice versa! Thanks for signing up for Ocean Conservancy emails. Many species of river otter inhabit coastal areas and are sometimes confused for sea otters. Whale: The North Atlantic right whales namerightcomes from the belief that it was the right whale to hunt. 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. If you see a vast creature, then its probably a seal and not an otter. They average around 2 feet in length and weigh around 10 pounds. difference between sea otter and penguinups insurance cost calculator. 1Polar Bear vs. Wombat; Tasmanian Devil vs. Pangolin; (voting closed) WINNERS: Polar Bear and Pangolin.Day 23/20: Paws and Claws pt. Sea otters are larger Asian small-clawed otters spend more of their time on land than in water, which helps keep a stable body temperature. Male sea otters can weigh up to 99 pounds, while female sea otters typically weigh around 44 pounds. Still, these mammals are very different from one another, and were going to show you the differences between a seal vs otter. They have a very thick layer of fur on their bodies that enables them to keep themselves warm during the cold season. They weigh 1-5 kg (2-11 pounds). 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. 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.. The Key Differences Between Seal vs Otter. Sea otters often float at the water's surface in forests of kelp, or giant seaweed, and entangle themselves to keep from moving in the rolling sea. It is slow moving, floats when killed, and is full of oil and baleen. 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. Otters spend the vast majority of their time in the water, and they even sleep in the water. 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. There are a few exceptions: The Galpagos fur seal and the Monk seal are both now have an Endangered status. In this article, we will address all of these differences in detail, including their physicality and social behavior. With the help of donors like you, Ocean Conservancy is developing innovative solutions to save our ocean. 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. Not only is this useful for staying together, but it also keeps them away from the shore where many of their predators reside. Yet, if the two creatures are closer in size, then you will need to rely on other methods of differentiating them. A final difference between a river otter vs sea otter lies in their social behaviors and mating habits. Otters fur has guard hairs on the outside layer that are used to keep them protected from moisture and to maintain body temperature. Levick recorded these behaviors as aberrations from the norm of nature. While both animals are classified as otters, river otters are members of the Lontra genus, and sea otters are members of the Enhydra genus. It might be because river otters have to fight the strong currents of a river and catch their food and fish. A sea otter also has a shorter tail than a river otter, and river otters are narrower in their body mass. They weigh between 45kg to 3,200kg . 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. They are also known as fin-footed mammals. The Asian small-clawed otter is "slimmer" and smaller, with smooth fur and a face that looks like it is smiling. All rights reserved. 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! 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. Can You Eat Clownfish and How Does It Taste? 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. All About Otters - Physical Characteristics | SeaWorld Parks The newborn is taken care of by the males, females, and other offspring. They have short limbs with webbed feet. Although seals and otters are often believed to be related, the truth is that they belong to completely different families. 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. Travailleur Autonome Gestion michigan department of corrections directory; Im going to ruin sea otters for you. 2. Sea otters commit to one another and raise one pup at a time. 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. Contact us today. * {{quote-news, year=2013, date=April 9, author=Andrei Lankov, title=Stay Cool. Whereas a female southern sea otter grows up to 50 pounds, a female northern sea otter can weigh up to 70 pounds. Sea otters are generally diurnal. Sea Otters are a larger species of otter. Still, these two mammals are very different from one another. Although seals and otters are often believed to be related, the truth is that they belong to completely different . Charming, outgoing, and intelligent, otters are part of the Mustelids family and in the Lutrinae subfamily. It is a grave mistake to see the so-called "depravity" of penguins, dolphins, and otters in the same way as our own behavior. You Otter Know! - Georgia Aquarium True seals use blubber deposits under their skin to keep themselves warm when theyre in the water, which is quite often. 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 other two clawless otters are similar in size to river otters. They may look similar, but they are two different creatures. We know it can get otterly confusing to differentiate the species, so here are five ways to tell them apart! The gestation period for otters lasts between 60 to 86 days while the gestation period for seals lasts between 9 months to 12 months. Adult males weigh average about 700 pounds and 7 feet in length while females are a bit smaller at 250 pounds and 6 feet in length. They have a body length of about 3 to 4 feet and weigh between 40 to 60 pounds. When you click and buy we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Sea otters have back feet that are larger than their front feet, and much larger than the feet of a river otter. Sea Otter: We mentioned last time that sea otters are threatened by toxic algal blooms, which are exacerbated by climate change. Sea otters also notably have two very large back feet, webbed and streamlined for paddling and swift swimming in unpredictable ocean waters. : Most all seal species are carnivorous. The most common seal in the Arctic, the ringed seal is the smallest of the seal species. Most seal species are currently not considered endangered, according to the IUCN Red List. They have webbed feet, water-repellent fur to keep them dry and warm, and nostrils and ears that close in the water. Which would you like to know more about? 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. 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. It has "toes" on its feet. Their diets are reminiscent of their environments. Sea otters have the densest fur in the entire animal kingdom with up to one million hairs covering each square inch of their body. Careers, 2023 SeaQuest, All Rights Reserved. While it may seem obvious at first, you may not know all of the differences between a river otter vs sea otter. Alaska sea otters are slightly larger than . Sorry, but we failed to add you to the list. Another difference between river otters and sea otters is their appearance. One of the main differences between a river otter vs sea otter is their species or genus classification. and weighing just 1 to 5 kg (2.2-11 lbs.). Since river otters are much smaller, they are more prone to predators. The largest sea otters can weigh up to one hundred pounds, but river otters are much smaller. 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. Sea otters also have longer bodies than river otters. 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. (label) A large number or quantity; a vast amount.A sea of faces stared back at the singer. Seals are marine mammals in the Phocidae family. Ground squirrels, hyenas, and lions may eat infants of their own species just for a snack. When I first heard about the behavior from a marine biologist friend of mine, I didnt quite believe sea otters could be so diabolical. difference between sea otter and penguin - sexygeeks.be Northern Sea Otter - Alaska Department of Fish and Game Sea otters eat sea urchins, seaweed, clams, and crabs. All otters must continually groom their fur to maintain its insulating qualities. There was nothing obviously wrong with these rehabbed otters, but the trouble they experienced early in their lives might have made them more likely assailants. Seals spend less time in the water than otters. The pups learn their mothers voice to avoid confusion of the mother feeding another seals pups. Copyright 2023. I'm a freelance writer with 8 years of experience. Another motherly difference is how these two creatures care for their young. Terms & Conditions. Dolphins have tried to force themselves on human swimmers, a prospect made all the more terrifying by the fact that they have prehensile penises. Dolphins kill other marine mammals and fish just for fun and commit infanticide. Although its not a visible means of telling the creatures apart, knowing their family can help distinguish the creatures. Their scientific name, Pinnipeds, says it all. With 13 species around the world, you can find an otter species located on almost every continent! If you spot an otter in the Chesapeake Bay, its a river otter, whereas if you spot one in Monterey Bay (especially in the water), the chances are high that its a sea otter. difference between sea otter and penguin. Fur seals are not members of Phocidae, and they are not true seals either. What is the difference between Otter and Seal? Sea otters carry their young on their stomachs to keep them safe until they are ready to swim by themselves. Otter and seals belong to different families. When it comes to having pups, one fact that distinguishes sea otters from river otters is the number of pups they have per litter. Otter vs. Seal: What's the Difference? - SeaQuest This is an important distinction to make, as sea otters are especially clumsy when they get on land! Slate is published by The Slate Group, a Graham Holdings Company. For example, the seal and otter are two animals that have a lot in common and are often confused for one another. SeaQuest is committed to protecting our worlds oceans and endangered animals. Today, were in round two of the Sweet Sixteen, and the winners of our Fins and Flippers division are going head to head. Sea otters must eat 20-25% of their body weight to maintain their body temperature. 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. 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. While a southern sea otters fur maintains heat well in the cold water, their metabolism must work quickly to help keep the animal warm. Next, the tail of a sea otter is short and flattened; a river otter . Males are larger compared to their female counterparts. Length of Lions Mane Jellyfish vs Blue Whale. There are twelve different sub-species of river otter, but only three separate sub-species of the sea otter. Two out of those three species are now in decline. The sentiments about proper human behavior were impressed upon the penguins, and vice versa. W178 CENTEX Centex Charmyland Saru Gorilla Sea Otter Walrus Penguin We shouldn't draw the curtains over the aspects of animal behavior. Your Generous Gift Will Help Us Continue To Protect Our Ocean And Its Wildlife. From their curious faces to their charming behaviors, the otters of the world have earned the title of many nature lovers favorite creatures. However, there some traits and features that make them different from each other. Noun; A large body of salty water. There are nearly 2,000 different species! SeaQuest Blog WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. 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.