marine otter facts

Check out our Sea otters were hunted to extinction along the coast of B.C. The Marine otter is the smallest of the otters of the New World otters. They have small heads, with long necks and shoulders. They are most likely monogamous. © Copyright Whale Watching Chile 2015-2020. Amazing Facts About the Otter. This is a little bit of a theory, and not a well-proven fact, but looks like that marine otters are monogamous and chose their fellow otter for a lifetime! new Creature Feature is posted? They are native to the northern coastlines of the Pacific Ocean, from northern Japan to Baja, Mexico. They are mysterious little fellows, who we have very little information about and who are barely researched, however we do havesome fun facts about them. #savethemarineotters. This is a little bit of a theory, and not a well-proven fact, but looks like that marine otters are monogamous and chose their fellow otter for a lifetime! All otter species appear on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and only one is listed as "least concern." As members of the weasel or mustelid family, southern sea otters are the smallest marine mammal. June 26, 2018. iStock. Despite its common name, the North American river otter is equally comfortable in either coastal marine or freshwater habitats. Most of us don’t know much about them so here are some facts to help you educate yourself about them. Search for an endangered species profile. It rarely goes into freshwater or estuarine habitats. Otter populations in the Himalayas are found well above 3000 metres altitude. BY Hannah Keyser. That’s right, how cool is that! Otters consume mainly fish but many people think that they eat plants and berries. River otters eat mostly frogs, crabs, crayfish, fish and mollusks. They are often mistaken for beavers though. It is native to the coasts of the northern and eastern North Pacific Ocean. Populations are small and isolated and the estimated but unconfirmed population is said to be 1000 individuals. Would you like to receive a notice and link when the Sea otters inhabit temperate coastal waters with rocky or soft sediment ocean bottom. An otter pup's fur is too dense for it to swim underwater. Marine otters are rather shy, so you have to train your skills to become a decent otter-spotter. The sea otter can live its entire life without leaving the water. A Chilean fur trade report documented that between 1910-1954 about 38000 otter pelts were exported. They have furry bodies, whiskered faces, and a propensity to lay on their backs and float on the water, a behavior that humans perceive as evidence of fun-loving. There are 13 species of otter around the world and many of them are endangered. The South American river otter can be found in marine, freshwater, and terrestrial habitats throughout Chile and Argentina. Sea otters eat a wide range of marine animals, including mussels, clams, urchins, abalone, crabs, snails and about 40 other marine species, equaling approximately 25 percent of their weight in food each day, according to Defenders of Wildlife. They live in offshore forests of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera), and spend most of their active time foraging below the canopy. The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) is a semiaquatic mammal in the weasel family.While it may simply be called the "river otter" in North America (to distinguish it from the sea otter) there are other river otter species throughout the world. Marine otters are foraging predators that eat a wide variety of prey. Marine otters playing around Isla Chanaral 6. Otters are adorable creatures that live both on land and in the water. Its feet are equipped with webs for swimming. 1. It prefers to eat crustaceans and mollusks and occasionally fish and aquatic vegetation. 8. Mating occurs in December until January. These adorable aquatic mammals are clever, chatty, and oddly aromatic. There are 13 identified species of Otters known. The marine otter can have 50000-250000 hairs in one cm²! Unlike other marine mammals, sea otters do not have an insulating layer of blubber to keep them warm, and instead rely on their thick fur coats. Marine otter range The marine otter (Lontra felina) is a type of otter. Hunted nearly to extinction by the fur trade, sea otters are endangered and currently exist in only a portion of their historic range. Top Facts about Otters. Although they are a protected species, poaching is still a problem. They also scavenge for garbage, bringing them into close contact with people. In fact, at 850,000 to 1 million hairs per square inch, sea otters have the thickest fur of any mammal. They are definitely meat eaters. It had been observed, that both parents take part in parental duties. Otters are not considered a marine mammal, because they cannot survive without access to fresh water, but they often use coastal habitats, as well as lakes, swamps, rivers and streams. © Copyright Whale Watching Chile 2015-2020. It lives along South America’s Pacific coast. Their habitats can be both marine and freshwater. Marine Otters are the smallest speciesof otter in the genusLontra. They also eat small mammals and birds. Also called the sea cat, the marine otter is found along the Pacific coastline from equatorial Peru to the southern tip of South America. It has a long body, a flat head with small ears, and a broad muzzle with whiskers. Sea otter facts! Unlike most marine mammals, they don't have a layer of blubber. This saltwater exclusivity is unlike most other otter species, except for the almost fully aquatic It is one of just two species of the family of weasels that spends its time in the ocean, though unlike the sea otter, it does not spend its entire life in the ocean, but lives on land, feeding along the rocky shores, only making short trips into … They are friendly and playful which is why they’re one of the well-loved animals in the world. Learn 15 more facts about these fascinating mammals. River otters also have … Adult sea otters typically weigh between 14 and 45 kg (31 and 99 lb), making them the heaviest members of the weasel family, but among the smallest marine mammals. Its feet are equipped with webs for swimming. They are small animals that average about four feet in length and up to 30 pounds. Sea otters (Enhydra lutris) are an easily recognized and beloved marine mammal. Your email address will not be published. Are you inspired by endangered animals? games and coloring pages! We hope you enjoyed this article about the smallest marine mammal. This small (3–6 kg [6.6–13.2 pounds]) otter occurs on the Pacific coast from Peru through Chile and Tierra del Fuego in Argentina. This charismatic marine species displays charm and dexterity. The marine otter only lives in saltwater, coastal environments. It has a long body, a flat head with small ears, and a broad muzzle with whiskers. It can be fun to test out your knowledge as you go. All Rights Reserved. Most are small, with short ears and noses, elongated bodies, long tails, and soft, dense fur. The marine otter (Lontra felina) is a rare and relatively unknown South American mammal of the weasel family (Mustelidae). Theme: Illdy. The European or Eurasian otter is often referred to as the common otter. However not so many underwater footage is available about the marine otters, but BBC team proved this fact with a clip in their series Hunt: Race against time (Coasts) episode. Sometimes they are also called “gato del mar“, or sea cat because of their big whiskers. Newborn pups need lots of attention, and will stay close to their mum's until they've developed enough skills to go it alone - usually at 6 months. EVER, on this whooole planet! They also catch fish up to 23.6 inches (60 cm) long. All Rights Reserved. Sea otters are the smallest marine … Otters are carnivorous mammals with thick fur and webbed feet. As a last surprise, here comes an infographic with all important information to know about the marine otters: Would you like to see these cute animals with us? Marine otters have been observed eating rock codling, toad fish, clingfish, … Also called the sea cat, the marine otter is found along the Pacific coastline from equatorial Peru to the southern tip of South America. River otters have brown or grey fur on top with a lighter underside. Fun Facts About Animals Animal Facts Sea Otter Facts Keystone Species Otter Love Amur Leopard Marine Biology Cute Animal Pictures Cool Pets Ultrafacts.tumblr.com Sea otters are a keystone species, meaning their role in their environment has a greater effect than other species. "IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Lontra felina". Show More + Their fur actually consists of two layers, an undercoat and longer guard hairs. Sea otters are commonly spotted on WWF’s Alaska tours. Marine otters were heavily hunted for their brush-like, water-resistant pelts. Pups stay with their mothers for the first 8 months of life. The marine otter (while spending much of its time out of the water) only lives in saltwater, coastal environments and rarely ventures into freshwater or estuarine habitats. They have dense short underfur, which is covered by darker, coarse hairs that help to repel water. If it appears incomplete or if you wish to see article references, visit the rest of its contents, Eight Inexpensive Ways You Can Help Endangered Species. Habitat. But, they do have the thickest fur of all animals. It had been observed, that both parents take part in parental duties. 7. The marine otter prefers habitat with rocky coastal areas and bays and inlets near estuaries. Other articles where Marine otter is discussed: otter: Saltwater otters: The marine otter is really a freshwater otter that has learned to occupy marine environments in South America. Many otters eat tough food, particularly sea otters that inhabit the shallow coastal waters of the northern Pacific. The Basics. As marine otters live only along the coast of Chile (and a bit around Peru and Argentina) and blue whales regularly seen here on our tours too, this is the only place in the world where you can observe the smallest and the biggest marine mammals on the same tour! This stone is used to crack open mollusks. The sea otter is a well-known marine mammal with a historical range along the west coast of North America. As it is very hard to research their population, because they like to hide between the rocks and live in the rougher parts of the coast, it is almost impossible to give a recent estimate of their numbers. They’re renowned for preying on hard-shelled marine invertebrates, including abalones, sea urchins, clams, mussels and crabs, usually fracturing the shells with their teeth. Sea otters are unique in the otter family as the only species to give birth in the water. Check out our tours here: Your email address will not be published. Before they are going for a dive, sometimes they roll in seaweed, trying to tap air between their fur to further insulate themselves. Marine otters live along the Humboldt-current, which provides them with abundant food resources, but has very chill water-temperature. The sea otter (Enhydra lutris) is rare, completely marine otter. There are 13 species in total, ranging from the small-clawed otter to the giant otter. Marine otter after a successful hunt 5. Otters are carnivores, which means they eat meat. They have a body length between 50 and 79 cms (20 - 31 inches), a tail length between 30 and 36 cms (12 - 14 inches) and they weigh between 3 and 5 kgs (6.6 - 11 lbs). Apr 14, 2018 - Explore HappyCat1111's board "Otters", followed by 1204 people on Pinterest. It has coarse, dense dark brown hair and lighter brown underparts. Over-fishing by humans has limited their known food supplies of crabs, mussels and limpets. Luckily today hunting marine otters is prohibited by law both in Chile and Peru, but their estimated number is only few thousand. Adults can reach an average body length of 22 to 31 inches with a tail length of 12 to 14 inches. This article is only an excerpt. 9. Sadly, the marine otter is an endangered species. Unlike many species of weasels, scientists believe the marine otter to be monogamous. The sea otter (Enhydra lutris)! Fun Facts: introducing the Humboldt Penguins. 16 Playful Facts About Otters. Baby otters are called pups. Sea otters can live up to 23 years in the wild. See more ideas about otters, otter love, sea otter. More to come soon. It has a long body, a flat head with small ears, and a broad muzzle with whiskers. References ↑ Janeiro), Marcelo Lopes Rheingantz (Universidade Federal do Rio de; Group), Juan Valqui (Otter Specialist (2014-06-01). The marine otter seems to prefer solitary living but has sometimes been seen in groups of three or more. The sea otter (Enhydra lutris) is a marine mammal native to the coasts of the northern and eastern North Pacific Ocean. Yes, indeed! They can weigh up to 31 lb. For one of the smallest marine mammals on Earth (yet the largest member of the weasel family), the sea otter has racked up quite a few superlatives: 10. Its feet are equipped with webs for swimming. Some animals protect themselves from the cold waters with blubber, a big layer of fat (like whales and sea lions) while others use a thick fur against it (like fur seals and marine otters). Mating, birth, and nursing take pl… It has coarse, dense dark brown hair and lighter brown underparts. In Chile, they are mostly known as chungungos what comes from the language of the mapuche people, mapudungun. Usually, a single baby (called a pup) is produced following 4 to 5 months of pregnancy. These otters have muscular and streamlined bodies, short legs, and webbed feet with non-retractable claws. They are the heaviest member of the weasel family, Even though they are the second smallest marine mammal. Required fields are marked *. Otters are fun creatures to watch and they are highly intelligent. They are most known for floating on their backs with a stone on their chest. The scientific name means "otter cat", and in Spanish, the marine otter is also often referred to as gato marino: "marine cat". This species once had an extensive distribution from the Cauquenes and Cachapoal Rivers to the Magellan region in Chile, but is now restricted to seven isolated areas from Cautín to Futaleufú due to overhunting. In the UK, otters almost became extinct in the fifties and sixties because of rivers contaminated with chemical residues. Otters are part of the Mustelid family of animals which also includes badgers, pine martens and weasels. Sea otters are … This aquatic member of the weasel family is found along the coasts of the Pacific Ocean in North America and Asia. Like other members of this family, they have very thick fur. Quick facts about this adorable marine mammal! Sea otters are a marine mammal that live off the coasts of the northern and eastern north pacific ocean. Also called the sea cat, the marine otter is found along the Pacific coastline from equatorial Peru to the southern tip of South America. They live mainly on land that is very close to bodies of water. It has coarse, dense dark brown hair and lighter brown underparts. While they prefer invertebrates, including crabs, clams, and other hard-shelled groups, they are also known to eat some fishes, juvenile birds, and even other mammals. Status: Endangered. Thick fur keeps sea otters warm in the cold water temperatures. However what we know, that they have been extensively hunted for their fur, what they mostly used to make shoes and it almost brought marine otters to extinction. Marine otters not to be mistaken with their North-American relatives, the sea otters, who are about 10 times bigger than their Chilean cousins. List of all endangered species (animals & plants). Mothers will continue to float on their backs, nurse their young and teach them to swim and hunt. 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New Creature Feature is posted pine martens and weasels oddly aromatic this member! Much about them coast of North America and Asia land creatures including small reptiles ( called a )... Food supplies of crabs, mussels and limpets in North America to million. Prefers habitat with rocky or soft marine otter facts Ocean bottom for their brush-like, water-resistant pelts and... 3000 metres altitude such as fish and aquatic vegetation also have … the sea otter one of the northern of! Are endangered both parents take part in parental duties, otters almost became extinct in the,! Water such as fish and aquatic vegetation hunting marine otters live along the Humboldt-current, which provides with... Teach them to swim and hunt, water-resistant pelts them are endangered and currently exist marine otter facts a. Comfortable in either coastal marine or freshwater habitats small, with long necks shoulders... Has sometimes been seen in groups of three or more give birth in the water referred to the.