The sea otter spends most of its time in the water but, in some locations, comes ashore to sleep or rest. It is not known whether they are territorial, as males are occasionally seen fighting, yet fights have also been observed even between mating pairs. In terms of lifespan, sea otters are long-lived mammals. Sea otters have a polygynous mating system, meaning that a … The scientific name means "otter cat", and in Spanish, the marine otter is also often referred to as gato marino: "marine cat". Its fur is the densest of any animal on Earth—an estimated 1 … Read a characteristic or fact from a marine mammal (otter, whale). The giant otter has a shorter life span because it is susceptible to a variety of diseases, including Canine Parvovirus. Most otters mate in pairs but sea otters follow a polygamous mating system while. This is the reason why otters are so active and spend several hours a day hunting. The biggest male sea otter can weigh up to 100 pounds. 9. • Adult males can grow up to five feet in length and weigh up to 90 pounds in Alaska and occasionally reach 80 pounds in California. It is one of only two species in the weasel family that spends time in the ocean, but unlike the sea otter, which spends its whole life in the ocean, the marine otter lives on land, feeds along rocky shores, and makes only short trips into the water to hunt. The lifespan of other species like the giant river otter or the European otter is more or less the same. River otters have long, stiff and highly sensitive facial whiskers that aid in locating and capturing prey. (1.29m) for males and 3 ft. 8 in. Then there’s the Sea Otters and a few other species, which are typically polygamous and do not mate for life. It grows from 4.9 to 5.9 feet (1.5 to 1.8 meters) long. They come in many sizes. The marine otter (Lontra felina) is a rare and relatively unknown South American mammal of the weasel family (Mustelidae). Size and lifespan: • Baby Sea Otters, known as pups, are only 10 inches long when they are born. Its ears and nostrils are closed down in water. Their habitats can be both marine and freshwater. Main Characteristics Marine Otters are the smallest species of otter in the genus Lontra. Lifespan: Sea otters can live up to 25 years of age, although the average lifespan is 10 to 12 years. Two species are marine; the others live mostly in fresh water. Sea Otters :: MarineBio Video Library Sea otters, Enhydra lutris (Linnaeus, 1758), are the largest member of the Family Mustelidae (70 species of river otters, skunks, weasels, badgers, etc.) Generally the tail will make up about one third of the body. 9. Sea otters live in the nearshore marine ecosystem, which consists of rocky shores and kelp forests. It has a period of foraging and eating in the morning, starting about an hour before sunrise, then rests or sleeps in mid-day. [1] Occasional vagrant sightings still occur as far afield as the Falkland Islands. The sea otter is one of the smallest marine mammals, but one of the largest members of the weasel family, Mustelidae. That can double though with one in captivity. The name for a group of these animals is a 'romp,’ ‘bevy,’ ‘family,’ ‘lodge,’ or ‘raft'. On the other hand, the saltwater otters are well-acquainted with marine life and don’t like to leave the sea even for hunting. The teeth are developed for slicing instead of crushing. The marine otter mainly inhabits rocky shorelines with abundant seaweed and kelp, and infrequently visits estuaries and freshwater rivers. | How long do rabbits live? Add introductory text here... 1 Appearance 2 Behavior 2.1 Diet 2.2 Lifespan 3 Gallery 4 Facts Needs Information Needs Information Needs Information Needs Information Needs Information This allows other marine, and even terrestrial animals, to have abundant amounts of prey. The giant otter, which is the longest otter, weighs around 85 pounds. Sources: Estes, J.A., Smith, N.S., and J.F. There are 13 species of otters, in seven genera, according to Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). Discover the lifespan of the animals: dogs, cats, lions, whales, monkeys…, their number is dropping because of illegal hunting, There are many different factors that affect the longevity of otters, Otters that live in nature can live even longer if it wasn’t for the construction activity expansion by humans. VANCOUVER -- The Vancouver Aquarium's rescued otter Whiffen died on Saturday an hour into a medical procedure. These cute animals belong to the Weasel family. 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