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. Many people may not know this, but sea otters are much larger than river otters. 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. The maximum lifespan for male Nothern Elephant Seal is age 14; for females it is to age 20. They are agile and flexible due to their four limbs and streamlined bodies. A fully grown otter weighs between 14 to 45 kg and this makes them the heaviest member among the smallest marine animals. They weigh between 45kg to 3,200kg. 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. But this should not be so. A final difference between a river otter vs sea otter lies in their social behaviors and mating habits. Have some feedback for us? There are a few exceptions: The Galpagos fur seal and the Monk seal are both now have an Endangered status. 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. The most famous in the United States, the California seal lion can be found all along the West coast of North America. Please try (Major seas are known as oceans.) According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, out of around 50 species of seahorses, all but one are vulnerable or threatened. 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. For example, if you see a creature with flippers and no tail or ears, its clearly a seal rather than an otter. Otter belongs to the Mustelidae family while the seal belongs to the Phocidae family. With 13 species around the world, you can find an otter species located on almost every continent! Its without a doubt that otters are some of the most adorable mammals to ever grace the planet. About Us The word pinniped means fin-footed or flipper-footed. Only your votes can decide who moves on for a chance at a deep-dive feature story. We also share helpful tips and guides on a variety of topics related to animals and nature. Who will you choose? With 13 species around the world, you can find an otter species located on almost every continent! At Georgia Aquarium, we are home to two species of otter Asian small-clawed ottersandsouthern sea otters. When I'm not working, I enjoy playing video games, reading, and writing for fun. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. When it comes to having pups, one fact that distinguishes sea otters from river otters is the number of pups they have per litter. These aquatic mammals split their time between the land and the water. Who will make it to the next round for a chance at a feature story? This only gets creepier given the recent suggestion that dolphins actually have names that they call one another. 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. Have a question? River otters actually have two layers of short, coarse fur. 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. A sea otter can grow to be up to 4 feet long, while a river otter only grows to be about 2.5 feet long. Seals are marine mammals in the Phocidae family. Thats quite the size difference! A post shared by Daniel Rosengren (@naturebydanielrosengren). 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. 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. Im not saying any of this to put down these animals. But if theres any marine vertebrate that wins the title of the squickiest, its dolphins. Animals Differences and Comparison for Kids. Their swimming mechanisms are also a little different. While both animals are classified as otters, river otters are members of the Lontra genus, and sea otters are members of the Enhydra genus. Learn how to tell them apart quickly and easily! Lastly, seals use blubber under their thick skin to keep them warm when they spend time in the water, but otters have dense, two-layered fur that keeps them insulated. The identity of a pair of repeat offenders held a clue. If a male cant find a mate because of his youth or inability to chase off competitors, Harris and co-authors suggest, he might search for a female surrogate that may take the form of a young otter or, as in their study, seal pups. 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. Sea otters also notably have two very large back feet, webbed and streamlined for paddling and swift swimming in unpredictable ocean waters. Peregrine Falcon; Oyster vs. Butterfly; Lobster vs. Red Knot (voting closed) WINNERS: Sea Turtle, Falcon, Butterfly, Red Knot.Day 63/26: Polar Bear vs. Pangolin; Koala vs. Wolverine (voting closed) WINNERS: Polar Bear, Wolverine.Day 73/27: Sea Horse vs. Whale; Sea Otter vs. Penguin (voting closed) WINNERS: Sea Horse, Sea Otter.Day 83/30: Elephant vs. Mountain Goat; Moose vs. Narwhal (voting NOW OPEN)Day 93/31: Sea Turtle vs. Red Knot; Butterfly vs. On average, river otters have two to three pups per litter with the pups going off on their own after about six months to a year. These two similarly named and look-alike animals are, in fact, very different. . Their bodies and feet are also shaped very differently as well. A 2010 study found that a toxin found in blue-green algae called microcystin had killed at least 21 California sea otters. They are comparatively smaller in body size. 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. While sea otters and river otters share many differences, they do share a major similarity - the threats they face in the wild. 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. Found in both saltwater and freshwater, a river otter lounges around riverbanks and swims with its belly down, keeping the majority of its body submerged below the water. subfamily. When seen for the first time, the Adlie penguin gives you the impression of a very smart little man. Its Easy To Do. It is a grave mistake to see the so-called depravity of penguins, dolphins, and otters in the same way as our own behavior. In addition to the sea otter being significantly bigger than the river otter, they also have different mating and parenting habits. 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. Privacy Policy. (label) A large number or quantity; a vast amount.A sea of faces stared back at the singer. Email Us, Board of Fisheries and Game: Actions & Activities, Threatened, Endangered, and Diversity Program, Alaska Resources Library and Information Services (ARLIS), About the Division of Commercial Fisheries, Western Alaska Salmon Stock Identification Program (WASSIP), Online General Season & Registration Permits, Subsistence and Personal Use Fishing Permits, CSIS Community Subsistence Information System, The Technical Papers and Special Publications Series, Special Status page for northern sea otter. 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! We shouldn't draw the curtains over the aspects of animal behavior. Not only is this useful for staying together, but it also keeps them away from the shore where many of their predators reside. In fact, the largest members of the seal species make otters look quite tiny. Still, these mammals are very different from one another, and were going to show you the differences between a seal vs otter. Most immediately noticeable is the difference in fur types river otters have short, sleek fur, while sea otters are distinctly 'fluffy', with long, fuzzy fur that's extremely dense and warm. The seal and otter are two animals that both love to call water home and have a face that can tell a thousand stories! Their diets are reminiscent of their environments. 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. However, there some traits and features that make them different from each other. In this article, we will address all of these differences in detail, including their physicality and social behavior. Members of Phocidae are known as earless seals or true seals. Plus, their overall diets, lifespans, and locations differ from one another, not to mention how different they are in appearance! They consume around 10 lbs of food per day. 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. 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. Later researchers rediscovered what Levick had seen. They include; walrus, eared seals, sea lions, fur seals, and earless seals. I'm a freelance writer with 8 years of experience. Copyright 2023. 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! River otters tend to eat frogs, fish, crayfish, reptiles, and birds. 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. Not only do these two creatures have different habitats, but they have both evolved fur to best suit those habitats. Heres a list of 9 ways that sea otters and river otters are different from one another. African penguins are declining in part due to fluctuations in water temperature and increased storms on their breeding grounds. 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. Sea otters have back feet that are larger than their front feet, and much larger than the feet of a river otter. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 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. Sorry, but we failed to add you to the list. However, river otters can swim in saltwater if there is an ocean near their preferred river habitat. RETWEET for Penguin or FAVE for Sea Otter #CPMarchSadness http://t.co/lzQh1SAaxZ pic.twitter.com/D7Tlow3Pad, Climate Progress (@climateprogress) March 27, 2015. 1Polar Bear vs. Wombat; Tasmanian Devil vs. Pangolin; (voting closed) WINNERS: Polar Bear and Pangolin.Day 23/20: Paws and Claws pt. 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). These remaining otters can be found in rivers, lakes, and freshwater wetlands. Whether youre sailing the coast of the Pacific Northwest or hiking the riverbanks of West Virginia, you now have the tools to tell the difference between river otters and sea otters. These carnivorous mammals inhabit fresh and saltwater rivers. Both are marine mammals and have lungs that they use to breathe. The Caribbean monk seal was declared. 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 marine otter simply lives near the ocean, diving in only to feed. There seems to be no crime too low for these penguins, he confided to his journal. Receive email updates to learn how you can help make a difference for the future of our ocean. Otters use two layers of dense fur to keep warm when they are submerged in the water, and that is most of their lives. What makes each species unique, and what are the signs that make each one recognizable? One of the main differences between a river otter vs sea otter is their species or genus classification. Otter and seals belong to different families. difference between sea otter and penguinups insurance cost calculator. Lets take a look and some similarities, and differences, between these two amazingly fascinating animals! Many of, Crocodiles are among the most terrifying animals of all time. 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. Ribbon Seals have a maximum lifespan of about 30 years, but they likely live about 20 years. They are also captured for the exotic pet trade in some countries and several species are still trapped and killed for their fur. They have a fat layer called blubber under their skin that makes them keep themselves warm during the cold season. The North American River Otter has an average lifespan of 13 years in the wild, but up to 25 years in captivity. North American River Otter It is slow moving, floats when killed, and is full of oil and baleen. : Feed on frogs, crabs, crayfish, and shellfish. Lets talk more about all of these differences in more detail now. While both species enjoy the company of many otters, sea otters form powerful partnerships with their chosen mate. The key differences between seals and otters are size, family, and their method of thermoregulation. While both animals are classified as otters, river otters are members of the Lontra genus, and sea otters are members of the Enhydra genus. We can find beauty and poetry in nature, but we can also find terror and savagery, all essential parts of the entire picture. Sea otters are larger than river otters. Your Generous Gift Will Help Us Continue To Protect Our Ocean And Its Wildlife. With no power for the electric lights, the house was a sea of darkness. 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.. It is a grave mistake to see the so-called "depravity" of penguins, dolphins, and otters in the same way as our own behavior. Male sea otters can weigh up to 99 pounds, while female sea otters typically weigh around 44 pounds. Learn More About Estate Planning. The gestation period for otters lasts between 60 to 86 days while the gestation period for seals lasts between 9 months to 12 months. They average around 2 feet in length and weigh around 10 pounds. Ground squirrels, hyenas, and lions may eat infants of their own species just for a snack. 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. . A painful and confusing end for the poor pups. There is no animal that is made of rainbows and kisses and goodness all the way through. Giant Otter Giant Otters are the largest otter species and are very similar to large river otters. The Northern fur seal and Nooded seal are vulnerable. If you find these critters as otterly . Otters have paws and external ears while seals have flippers but do not have visible ears. Sea otters are hardly the only marine animals to behave in ways that make us cringe. Although described as the smallest marine mammal this species is quite large as otters go, reaching as much as 80 lbs. SeaQuest is committed to protecting our worlds oceans and endangered animals. Red Wolf Population (Historically and Currently), Manatee Vs Dugong (Heres the Difference), 6 Types of Water Snakes in Illinois (Pictures). The dietary preferences and lifespans of river otters and sea otters differ as well. 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. 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. 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). and weighing just 1 to 5 kg (2.2-11 lbs.). Giant Otters have a smaller lifespan in the wild at about 10 years. The sea otter is the largest member of the weasel family. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. Please try
Another difference between river otters and sea otters is their appearance. Their fur is made up of a dense underfur, ranging in color from brown to black, and longer guard hairs.
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