Southern sea otters are approximately four feet in length and weigh on average between 45-65 pounds. Otters are mammals in the Mustelidae family. Their fur is made up of a dense underfur, ranging in color from brown to black, and longer guard hairs. 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. This makes them very different animals, especially when you consider the fact that sea otters are the only members of their genus. Both types of otters need their coats to form a layer of insulation that traps air to keep them warm, and they certainly need it when areas like the Pacific dip to chilly temperatures that are often between 35 and 60 (and even lower than that as you move up the coast toward Alaska and Canada)! Careers, 2023 SeaQuest, All Rights Reserved. Giant Otters have a smaller lifespan in the wild at about 10 years. While a southern sea otters fur maintains heat well in the cold water, their metabolism must work quickly to help keep the animal warm. River otters have a thick, lustrous coat that keeps them warm. Their hind feet are webbed to aid in swimming, and their front toes are short and stiff. What is Our Oceans Role in the Transition to Clean Energy? 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. They feed on fish, shellfish, penguins, and other marine creatures. When it comes to having pups, one fact that distinguishes sea otters from river otters is the number of pups they have per litter. While it may be obvious, river otters are found in rivers while sea otters are found in the sea. They include; walrus, eared seals, sea lions, fur seals, and earless seals. 8 Fun Date Night Ideas in Salt Lake City. We bring people, science and policy together to champion innovative solutions and fight for a sustainable ocean. Levick was aghast because he viewed the penguins in human termsas little gents and dames dressed to the nines. 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. Who will you choose? River otters also eat a different diet when compared to sea otters. Its Easy To Do. Heres a list of 9 ways that sea otters and river otters are different from one another. The marine otter simply lives near the ocean, diving in only to feed. While both animals are classified as otters, river otters are members of the Lontra genus, and sea otters are members of the Enhydra genus. 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. Shocking behavior isnt the sole province of marine mammals. These remaining otters can be found in rivers, lakes, and freshwater wetlands. When I first heard about the behavior from a marine biologist friend of mine, I didnt quite believe sea otters could be so diabolical. Only your votes can decide who moves on for a chance at a deep-dive feature story. difference between sea otter and penguinhazbin hotel cherri bomb removed. Otters and seals share many things such as they are both mammals and have the same physical appearance although they are different from each other. Not only do these two creatures have different habitats, but they have both evolved fur to best suit those habitats. And delphine sexual aggression isnt limited to members of their own kind. But if theres any marine vertebrate that wins the title of the squickiest, its dolphins. North American River Otter 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. The most famous in the United States, the California seal lion can be found all along the West coast of North America. The seal and otter are two animals that both love to call water home and have a face that can tell a thousand stories! and weighing just 1 to 5 kg (2.2-11 lbs.). 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. We shouldn't draw the curtains over the aspects of animal behavior. But the general idea is the same: if the otter isnt floating in the ocean, its most likely a river otter, and vice versa! Whale: The North Atlantic right whales namerightcomes from the belief that it was the right whale to hunt. 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. The word pinniped means fin-footed or flipper-footed. 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. We focus on how to be proactive in finding solutions. In addition to the sea otter being significantly bigger than the river otter, they also have different mating and parenting habits. This is primarily due to the difference in habitat, but sea otters and river otters have different diets. Sea otters must groom regularly to help maintain the insulation. Animals Differences and Comparison for Kids. Charming, outgoing, and intelligent, otters are part of the Mustelids family and in the Lutrinae subfamily. Do you think you can tell the difference if you saw them side-by-side? 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. Seals are larger than otters, weighing a lot more than them and growing much longer. The sea otter does, however, have a shorter tail than the river otter. A 2010 study found that a toxin found in blue-green algae called microcystin had killed at least 21 California sea otters. As ethologist Sarah Hrdy has observed, there are various reasons for infanticide. One naturalist was so thoroughly disgusted with the sexual behaviors of Adlie penguins that his observations were hidden from view for almost a century. In addition, severe weather can make it difficult for sea otters to forage for and find food. Sea otters commit to one another and raise one pup at a time. Asian-small clawed otters can be found in India, China, and parts of Southeast Asia. For whichever animal wins, ClimateProgress will write a feature-length article exploring the story behind whats ailing your chosen critter, and who is working to save them. The reason for this skew in the population is unclear, but it leaves male sea otters in a bind. Sea otters have a different diet from river otters, given their habitat and saltwater location. They are both weasel family members, as evident by their long, slender bodies. (In the concluding paragraphs of On the Origin of Species, he observed that this view of life contains grandeur and horror alike.) This is especially problematic in Monterey Bay, where there are more male sea otters than females. Male sea otters can weigh up to 99 pounds, while female sea otters typically weigh around 44 pounds. Dolphins have tried to force themselves on human swimmers, a prospect made all the more terrifying by the fact that they have prehensile penises. I graduated from Rowan University in 2014 with degrees in English and Education. Darwin knew this well. Both are marine mammals and have lungs that they use to breathe. Many of, Crocodiles are among the most terrifying animals of all time. However, river otters prefer to eat fish, frogs, crayfish, birds, and reptiles, while sea otters enjoy sea urchins, clams, crabs, and seaweed. Levick recorded these behaviors as aberrations from the norm of nature. Dolphin Coast Presented by Margaritaville by Wyndham, Beginning Environmental Leadership Program, Next Up: Sea Lion Pup Born at Georgia Aquarium, Alliance of Marine Mammals Parks & Aquariums (AMMPA), International Marine Animal Trainer's Association (IMATA). We also share helpful tips and guides on a variety of topics related to animals and nature. They include; walrus, eared seals, sea lions, fur seals, and earless seals. The main feature that makes otters appear different from seals is the body size. 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. With this insight, you should have a better grasp as to what makes both river otters and sea otters special. They are mostly solitary but come together in groups to mate. This results in river otters having short, sleek fur, while sea otters have long, fuzzy fur. Penguin: There are a lot of different types of penguins, and climate change is affecting all of them. Male river otters are extremely territorial, while sea otters form more friendships and bonds with one another overall. Parents can be as bad as siblings. Today, were in round two of the Sweet Sixteen, and the winners of our Fins and Flippers division are going head to head. Contact us today. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. These aquatic mammals split their time between the land and the water. 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. Male sea otters compete with one another for mates. While floating on their backs, sea otters not only nap, but also use rocks to help them . Otters belong to the Mustelidae family while seals belong to the Phocidae family. Otters and seals have many things in common. From their curious faces to their charming behaviors, the otters of the world have earned the title of many nature lovers favorite creatures. Thanks for signing up for Ocean Conservancy emails. The North American River otter is classified as Least Concern meaning they have safe population stability as of today. Strange as it may seem, mating is a relatively common cause of death for female sea otters as well. One of the main differences between a river otter vs sea otter is their species or genus classification. These are the major differences between seals and otters, and their unique qualities become even more prominent when you look closer at these two creatures. The identity of a pair of repeat offenders held a clue. The species are either aquatic or semi-aquatic depending on the species. Sea otters are larger While it may seem obvious at first, you may not know all of the differences between a river otter vs sea otter. 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. They are also known as fin-footed mammals. And amorous males of various species, including the noble lion, kill infants to make their mothers available for breeding again. 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 average around 2 feet in length and weigh around 10 pounds. This makes them very different animals, especially when you consider the fact that sea otters are the only members of their genus. All of this is only the barest catalog of common and widespread phenomena in nature that we often shy away from examining, as we have great difficulty divorcing our own sense of morality from a wilderness that does not and cannot share our values. River otters actually have two layers of short, coarse fur. 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. 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). One of the main differences between a river otter vs sea otter is their species or genus classification. 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. As 2022 comes to a close, I am reflecting on everything weve accomplished together on behalf, Climate change touches many aspects of our lives, including the food on our plates. Given our ability to reason, we have the unique ability to decide the right and wrong of what we 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. If you spot an otter in the Chesapeake Bay, it's a river otter, whereas if you spot one in Monterey Bay (especially in the water), the chances are high that it's a sea otter. 2. Why are these male sea otters killing seals? Learn how to tell them apart quickly and easily! Otters mainly feed on invertebrates while seals mainly feed on fish. 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. In addition to this, once you know the fundamentals of what to look for, its quite easy to differentiate whether or not an otter is a sea otter or a river otter one is large and fluffy and the other is small and streamlined. River otters keep their young safe by their side and in dens that they build on riverbanks, while sea otter moms typically keep their pups nestled on their stomachs as they float until they are old enough to swim on their own. It has "toes" on its feet. The main difference between the two species is their size; Asian small-clawed otters are the smallest otters in the world, while sea otters are the largest. River otter mothers care for their pups until they are between six and twelve months old. Get Out Your Green & Gold! asia deep blue crete menu . What is the difference between Otter and Seal? YES! The most notable physical difference between this subspecies and its northern cousins is size. Did You Know. 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. Sea otters also have longer bodies than river otters. With the help of donors like you, Ocean Conservancy is developing innovative solutions to save our ocean. In other species, post-hatching battles begin almost immediately. The most common seal in the Arctic, the ringed seal is the smallest of the seal species. Asian small-clawed otters spend more of their time on land than in water, which helps keep a stable body temperature. They may look similar, but they are two different creatures. If you travel further north to areas like the Alaskan seaboard, you could even find males weighing up to 100 pounds! 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. Plus, their overall diets, lifespans, and locations differ from one another, not to mention how different they are in appearance! In the U.S. the dwarf seahorse, one-inch-long seahorse, found in seagrass beds in the Gulf of Mexico, Florida and the Caribbean, is threatened with extinction due to decline of seagrass and lingering pollution from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, according to the Center for Biological Diversity. Though they may look similar, there are distinct differences between the two. True seals use blubber deposits under their skin to keep themselves warm when theyre in the water, which is quite often. Otters fur has guard hairs on the outside layer that are used to keep them protected from moisture and to maintain body temperature. 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. While sea otters and river otters share many differences, they do share a major similarity the threats they face in the wild. Thank you for reading! Daily activities focus on feeding and grooming, interspersed with rest periods. They move to land to escape some predators like sharks. 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. Yet, if the two creatures are closer in size, then you will need to rely on other methods of differentiating them. River otters build dens on the riverbanks and care for their young there. SeaQuest is committed to protecting our worlds oceans and endangered animals. For example, sea lions are sometimes believed to be seals, but that is not the case. 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. Although its not a visible means of telling the creatures apart, knowing their family can help distinguish the creatures. As their name suggests, sea otters are adorable mammals that barely leave their saltwater homes. Otters have dense fur that keeps them warm while seals have blubber that is deposited under the skin that keeps them warm. RETWEET for Whale or FAVE for Sea Horse #CPMarchSadness http://t.co/lzQh1SAaxZ pic.twitter.com/WPiCEtbbDt, ***TOURNAMENT UPDATES:Day 13/19: Paws and Claws pt. 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! River otters tend to eat frogs, fish, crayfish, reptiles, and birds. Greetings From the Vortex of Unpredictability, rapidly devours all the other unborn sharks, feathery, fluffy dinosaurs killed the brontosaurus. Otter endangered status varies by species and location. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. They are one of the only mammals that use tools to help them hunt and feed, and they happen to have the densest fur of any other mammal on the planet. Not only is this useful for staying together, but it also keeps them away from the shore where many of their predators reside. Members of Phocidae are known as earless seals or true seals. Fur seals are not members of Phocidae, and they are not true seals either. Sea otters mate for life, as many people know, but this is not the same for river otters. Lets talk more about all of these differences in more detail now. Female otters in the California region can weigh up to 60 pounds, while males can weigh up to 90 pounds. Otters are smaller while seals are comparatively large when it comes to body size. Protect the Arctic from Future Oil Spills. SeaQuest is committed to protecting our worlds oceans and endangered animals. Alaska sea otters are slightly larger than . I am a non-binary freelance writer working full-time in Oregon. 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! What makes each species unique, and what are the signs that make each one recognizable? More commonly known as seals, they are a widely distributed and diverse group of fin-footed, semiaquatic, mostly marine mammals. In desperation, some male Adlie penguins tried to mate with the ground until they ejaculated. Wildlife Informer is reader-supported. I'm a freelance writer with 8 years of experience. But this should not be so. Its without a doubt that otters are some of the most adorable mammals to ever grace the planet. unit 3: personal and business finance grade boundaries. Your best bet for differentiating these animals is to look for their ears, flippers, tails, size, and fur. With no power for the electric lights, the house was a sea of darkness. River otters are more petite. 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. Asian small-clawed otters have a body length of 30-45 cm (12-18 inches) and a tail length of 15-25 cm (6-10 inches). 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! Sea otters have back feet that are larger than their front feet, and much larger than the feet of a river otter. Lets dive in and get started! Sea otters are mainly native to the northeastern seaboards of the Pacific Ocean, so they arent spotted in areas like the East Coast or the Gulf of Mexico. Who will make it to the next round for a chance at a feature story? River otters and sea otters have different lifespans. Contact Us Unlike the common otter, sea otter's feet are webbed. Make A Lasting Impact By Leaving A Gift To Ocean Conservancy In Your Will. Enter your email and never miss an update. Noun; A large body of salty water. It is slow moving, floats when killed, and is full of oil and baleen. Ocean Conservancy is working with you to protect the ocean from todays greatest global challenges. They have flippers and do not have visible ears. This inner layer keeps them warm, and the outer layer keeps them waterproof. Finally, river otters can dive to around 60 feet deep, whereas sea otters, remarkably, can dive to several hundred feet to forage for food. The sentiments about proper human behavior were impressed upon the penguins, and vice versa.