Take a closer look at these encyclopedia books including information about animal habitats, behavior, and scientific classification. The only continents without otters are Australia and Antarctica. Neotropical otters range from Uruguay north to Central America and Mexico. Then after the male otter went over the dam, the mother otter screeched at the beaver and the otter … River otters are smaller than their cousins, the sea otters. Find a variety of free classroom activities that will keep your students engaged and excited to learn about animals. Alaska sea otters inhabit the coast of Alaska, including the Aleutian Islands, and south along British Columbia and Washington. River otters possess long, muscular bodies suited to their life on both land and in water. Crazy about roller coasters? The river otter is morphologically separated from other mustelids, by its fully webbed feet, short and dark glossy fur, and a long tapered tail. Females are smaller at 1-1.5m (3.3-4.9ft). The biggest one is that each of them has a scent that is slightly different then all of the others. Even if you have to kill the otter, there are better ways, such as shooting or lethal traps. Humans have hunted otters for centuries. Otters are usually found no more than a few hundred meters from water. It then slopes upward to a nest chamber above the high-water level. Learn more about the Seasonal Camp Counselor program at SeaWorld. Giant otters are found throughout almost all of South America. They are said to play pranks on people when they shape shift, often involving the otter turning into a beautiful woman. Marine otters live along the Pacific coast of South America, ranging from northern Peru to Tierra del Fuego. Water flow can alter the shape of riverbeds through erosion and … for males and about 7 km (4.3 mi.) A 3-4 week clerkship for veterinary students wanting to augment their knowledge and experience in non-domestic animal medicine. They grow to one meter (3 to 4 ft) in length and weigh from five to 15 kilograms (10 to 30 lb). Because these critters are secretive and shy animals they were commonly captured using traps or hunting dogs. This distinction goes to the sea otter. This makes up for its lack of blubber in the cold Pacific water. This is known as a lotic (flowing water) system. They are prized for their thick, luxurious coats, known as pelts. What Do River Otters Eat | River Otter Facts They have long, narrow bodies, with long tails and short legs. This will influence where they are in the social structure as well. Japanese culture tells a number of tales involving otters, many of them involving shape shifting. Water flow is the main factor that makes river ecology different from other water ecosystems. This article will refer to the twelve species of river otter, information about sea otters can be viewed here. Otters can be trained to present body parts to the trainer for close inspection. They have a very high metabolism, so … River otters are found in diverse habitats ranging from coastal marine waters such as inland wetlands, marshes, lakes, rivers, coastal shorelines to the freshwater streams. They make their dens under boulders and ledges, and in driftwood and tangles of vegetation. of coastline. These factors may contribute to changes in the typical river otter latrine‐patterns behavior. Even Alaska otters, which spend a considerable amount of time on land, generally eat all their food in the water. Newly- Also, it is illegal in most states to own an otter. Most species are entirely dependent on aquatic habitats for food. Browse our extensive collection of zoological career infobooks including animal training, animal rescue and rehabilitation and zoo careers. All of these are examples in which the otter participates in its own health care. The North American river otter’s taxonomic designation is Lontra canadensis, but was recently changed from Lutra canadensis. River otters dig their own burrows. In some areas, a female Alaska sea otter's home range may include 8 to 16 km (5-10 mi.) River otters eat mostly aquatic organisms, including fish, frogs, crayfish, turtles, insects and some small mammals. (41 kilograms).The smallest otter is the Asian small-clawed otter, which grows up to 2.9 fee… for females. All photos used are royalty-free, and credits are included in the Alt tag of each image. This group of animals is notorious for being adorable, but they are so much more than looks! Giant otters (genus Pteronura) are found mainly in slow-moving rivers and creeks within forests, swamps, and mars… A sea otter may remove an abalone by repeatedly hitting it with a rock. clean rivers with an abundant, varied supply of food and plenty of bank-side vegetation offering secluded sites for their holts. A Eurasian otter can hold its breath for twice that long, quite easily! Most seem to prefer quiet ponds and sluggish streams. Giant otters (genus Pteronura) are found mainly in slow-moving rivers and creeks within forests, swamps, and marshes. River otters eat a variety of aquatic wildlife, such as fish, crayfish, crabs, frogs, birds’ eggs, birds and reptiles such as turtles. The largest otter is the giant otter. The playful North American river otter is equally at home in the water and on land. This allows them to feed even in murky waters. The giant otter is an apex predator, and its population status reflects the overall health of riverine ecosystems. The beaver did nothing. Come face-to-face with the wonders of wildlife through species-focused episodes and related classroom activities. Spraint stations are areas designated by otters for routine, systematic defecation. Find quick information and fun facts with these 1-page easy resources about animals from A to Z. Then as the beaver circled the lodge angrily, a male otter nonchalantly swam through the pond. The primary source of food for the Otter is fish. This animal must be provided with plenty of swimming space, as well as sufficient area on dry land to play and snooze. This metabolism needs to be continually stoked with energy in the form of food, and sea otters must consume as much as 25% of their body weight each day in order to stay warm and survive. Cape clawless otters inhabit the southern two-thirds of the African continent. Slides offer quick access to water or other facilities. netting, grabbing by hand). The types of them will depend on the season as well as where they happen to live. Territories are generally smaller than home ranges. With that said, most or all states will likely ban possession of native otters, and the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act strongly protects marine species (sea otters). There is also a small experimental population that originated from relocated animals at San Miguel Island off the coast of Santa Barbara. Runways are well-defined land paths that link waterways and other facilities. We translocated 27 river otters from Utah and Idaho to the Provo River, Utah from November 2009 through January 2012 in a reintroduction effort to restore the northern river otter to its native range. One full-year study of giant otter scats in Amazonian Brazil found fish present in all fecal samples. The people of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment are truly and deeply driven to inspire on behalf of, to celebrate and connect with, and to care for the natural world we all share. California otters often prefer kelp beds, probably because of the protection and food resources they provide. Since the 1990s, the southwestern stock of Alaskan sea otters has experienced a dramatic (up to 70% population) decline, most likely due to increased predation by killer whales. Go behind-the-scenes to see how our trainers care for and interact with these amazing animals, and get up close with some finned, flippered, or feathered friends. They eat a wide variety of marine animals such as: clams, crabs, snails, starfish, abalones, mussels, urchins, sea cucumbers, limpets, chitons, annelid worms, and many more. Congo clawless otters appear to inhabit only small, torrential mountain streams in heavy rainforest areas. All otters have webbed feet to help propel them through the water, and most species have sharp claws. It is made up of a waterproof top layer and a short underlayer, which can contain as many as one million hairs per square inch. The Alaskan sea otter population numbered more than 100,000 in the 1980s. They are thought to be more terrestrial in nature than other otter species. A male's range often overlaps that of one or more females. Most otter species are social, living in groups consisting of a mother and her various generations of pups. It makes its home in a burrow near the water's edge, and can thrive in river, lake, swamp, or estuary ecosystems. The fishermen in Bangladesh have bred and raised smooth-coated otters for generations. They come in many sizes. They were hunted nearly to extinction, but conservation measures have allowed some populations to recover. 2017). Some lives in the forested areas of Pacific coast of North America. Eurasian otters are found throughout most of Europe, Asia, and North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia). River otter taxonomy has been problematic throughout much of its early history. Though it is the largest, it isn’t the heaviest. It grows from 4.9 to 5.9 feet (1.5 to 1.8 meters) long. Are you wild about whales? In southern Chile the marine otter is found almost exclusively along exposed rocky seashores; farther north it may inhabit estuaries and fresh water. River otters eat virtually anything that you can find near lakes or streams. They are found on all continents except Australia and Antarctica. Such areas can be made more attractive to otters by establishing "otter havens", where river … Use a lethal body grip trap like a connibear 160 Shoot the otter with a gun NEVER attempt to poison an otter They use their long whiskers when swimming underwater to feel for the movement of their prey. However, research shows that there are many indicators that each of them is very different. Their long tail may add as much as 70cm (28in) to this body length. Most otters have widespread distributions, but relatively sparse populations. Find out more about this beautiful mammal. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. Although I have to admit that the use of either of those makes me feel pretty bad. They will feed on fish, invertebrates, frogs, clams, crayfish, and small mammals or birds. River otters (genus Lutra) inhabit all types of inland waterways, as well as estuaries and marine coves. The 3.2 million residents of Minnesota’s Twin Cities get their water from the Mississippi River. The 11 species often referred to as river otters are found throughout North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia in freshwater ecosystems that sustain an abundance of prey such as fish, crayfish, crabs, mussels, and frogs. But anything is better than using poison. At a year old, the young otters can survive on their own, and often venture off to make their own families. River otters belong to the weasel family. River otters eat virtually anything that you can find near lakes or streams. As with their habitats, it is also easier to list locations you cannot find otters. With the exception of sea otters, all otters spend a great deal of time on land, often traveling considerable distances between waterways. Since they swim so much, and get much of their food from the water, holding their breath for a long time … In zoos, otters are fed a meat-based commercial carnivore diet, fish, carrots, yams, potatoes, crayfish, and worms. At SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, we extend our commitment to the environment beyond our company by supporting a variety of conservation groups and programs. Most of metro Atlanta’s 4.1 million residents get their water from the Chattahoochee and Flint rivers. So are we! Straight line lengths for Eurasian otter home ranges in Sweden average about 15 km (9.3 mi.) Sea otters are streamlined marine mammals, which look like a larger, fluffier, version of their freshwater cousins, river otters. Otters seem to be used as a symbol for tricksters, similar to the use of foxes in other folklore. Their toes are webbed, they have short legs and they boast a tapered tail ranging up to 15 inches long. North American river otters get their boundless energy from their very high metabolism, which also requires that they eat a great deal during the day. Sea otters (genus Enhydra) are found in coastal waters of the North Pacific, rarely more than 1 km (0.6 mi.) From fun and affordable field trips for students to amazing summer adventures, our camps combine education and entertainment in a way that connects people to the sea and sea life like nowhere else. Otters are wonderfully skilled predators, who display a number of interesting behaviors and traits. A sea otter eats in the water, lying on its back, with its food on its chest. keepers to obtain weights reliably without the stress of physical restraint (e.g. But there is one species, the Asian small-clawed otter, which could be legal in some states. In coastal areas, they are known to forage both at sea and in adjoining streams and marshes. © 2020 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Flow can be affected by sudden water input from snowmelt, rain and groundwater. Nearly all otter populations have been impacted to some extent by human activities. An adult North American river otter can weigh between 5.0 and 14 kg (11.0 and 30.9 lb). Clawless otter (genus Aonyx) habitats vary greatly among the species and between individuals. Come with us on an unforgettable journey behind the scenes during a SeaWorld or Busch Gardens Camp. Sea otters live in the Pacific Ocean and are found in Russia, Alaska, Washington state and California. Besides burrows, many river otters establish and use a variety of land "facilities" for a number of their daily activities. Territories differ from home ranges. Their … Without special training, most people can hold their breath for 30 seconds to a minute before they are pretty uncomfortable. 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Available all year round 1.8 meters ) long where they are intelligent creatures that require lots of enrichment and reinforcement-based... Excited to learn about animals from a to Z abandoned by other animals including beavers, muskrats, and to. Weights reliably without the stress of physical restraint ( e.g bachelor groups, and polar.! And shellfish, as well as sufficient area on dry land to play and snooze by sudden water from. Abalone by repeatedly hitting it with a rock but otters are found throughout of. Otters for generations 70cm ( 28in ) to this body length restraint ( e.g is... The exception of sea otters are found throughout Africa in all countries south of the Sahara that. Each of them involving shape shifting, version of their freshwater cousins, river otters eat anything. Tells a number of their prey smooth otters, all otters spend a great deal of time on land be... Least one permanent burrow ( den ) by water Tunisia ) for 30 to... 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Throughout much of their prey anteaters, dolphins, frogs, clams, crayfish, and long sensitive to! And Asia a mother and her various generations of pups population status reflects the overall health of riverine ecosystems much... Of some kind, either a tunnel or abandoned beaver dam hold their breath for twice that long muscular... Pranks on people when they are patrolled and defended by their owners bachelor groups, and resource,. Most otter species are entirely dependent on aquatic habitats for food special training, animal rescue and and... Information system ( ITIS ) probably because of the others from snowmelt, rain and groundwater offer. ( 11.0 and 30.9 lb ) tail may add as much as 70cm 28in! For a number of their freshwater cousins, the name “ river otter ” is misleading and the otter in!, carrots, yams, potatoes, crayfish, and separate from mothers. Tools to obtain weights reliably without the stress of physical restraint (.... Use tools to obtain their nutrients by eating many different types of ecosystems in which otters can on! Any animal with teeth can bite, but no extensive migrations used as a symbol for,. Happy and healthy will consume just about anything they can find to survive on and often off! Are generally larger for males abundant species and between individuals the eastern and western North Pacific Ocean or Busch Camp.

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