All Rights Reserved. They live mainly on land that is very close to bodies of water. Search for an endangered species profile. 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). Sea otters inhabit temperate coastal waters with rocky or soft sediment ocean bottom. They can weigh up to 31 lb. It is native to the coasts of the northern and eastern North Pacific Ocean. June 26, 2018. iStock. Are you inspired by endangered animals? Fun Facts: introducing the Humboldt Penguins. Marine otter after a successful hunt 5. They have dense short underfur, which is covered by darker, coarse hairs that help to repel water. They are friendly and playful which is why they’re one of the well-loved animals in the world. 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. References ↑ Janeiro), Marcelo Lopes Rheingantz (Universidade Federal do Rio de; Group), Juan Valqui (Otter Specialist (2014-06-01). These adorable aquatic mammals are clever, chatty, and oddly aromatic. Unlike many species of weasels, scientists believe the marine otter to be monogamous. It rarely goes into freshwater or estuarine habitats. It prefers to eat crustaceans and mollusks and occasionally fish and aquatic vegetation. Check out our An otter pup's fur is too dense for it to swim underwater. Although they are a protected species, poaching is still a problem. Marine Otters are the smallest speciesof otter in the genusLontra. This saltwater exclusivity is unlike most other otter species, except for the almost fully aquatic The sea otter can live its entire life without leaving the water. These otters have muscular and streamlined bodies, short legs, and webbed feet with non-retractable claws. The marine otter can have 50000-250000 hairs in one cm²! In the UK, otters almost became extinct in the fifties and sixties because of rivers contaminated with chemical residues. But, they do have the thickest fur of all animals. River otters eat mostly frogs, crabs, crayfish, fish and mollusks. Baby otters are called pups. 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! 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. © Copyright Whale Watching Chile 2015-2020. Before they are going for a dive, sometimes they roll in seaweed, trying to tap air between their fur to further insulate themselves. As members of the weasel or mustelid family, southern sea otters are the smallest marine mammal. 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. Luckily today hunting marine otters is prohibited by law both in Chile and Peru, but their estimated number is only few thousand. There are 13 species of otter around the world and many of them are endangered. Adult otters spend 15 percent or more of their day grooming their fur to keep it in top condition. Sea otters can live up to 23 years in the wild. They are most known for floating on their backs with a stone on their chest. Thick fur keeps sea otters warm in the cold water temperatures. The female gives birth to two to five pups after a gestation period of 60 to 120 days. They are the heaviest member of the weasel family, Even though they are the second smallest marine mammal. Most of us don’t know much about them so here are some facts to help you educate yourself about them. new Creature Feature is posted? 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. Theme: Illdy. River otters have brown or grey fur on top with a lighter underside. Sea otters are the smallest marine … 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. The sea otter is a well-known marine mammal with a historical range along the west coast of North America. Mating occurs in December until January. Most are small, with short ears and noses, elongated bodies, long tails, and soft, dense fur. 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. 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! Like other members of this family, they have very thick fur. The marine otter only lives in saltwater, coastal environments. Sea otters were hunted to extinction along the coast of B.C. The main cause of decline is hunting for its fur and loss of suitable habitat. Marine otters were heavily hunted for their brush-like, water-resistant pelts. Over-fishing by humans has limited their known food supplies of crabs, mussels and limpets. Check out our tours here: Your email address will not be published. Status: Endangered. Marine otters playing around Isla Chanaral 6. It can be fun to test out your knowledge as you go. 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. The marine otter seems to prefer solitary living but has sometimes been seen in groups of three or more. It had been observed, that both parents take part in parental duties. #savethemarineotters. Sometimes they are also called “gato del mar“, or sea cat because of their big whiskers. Adults can reach an average body length of 22 to 31 inches with a tail length of 12 to 14 inches. Sea otters are commonly spotted on WWF’s Alaska tours. River otters also have … They are definitely meat eaters. 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. Show More + Their fur actually consists of two layers, an undercoat and longer guard hairs. 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. Your email address will not be published. The scientific name means "otter cat", and in Spanish, the marine otter is also often referred to as gato marino: "marine cat". Required fields are marked *. Marine otters are foraging predators that eat a wide variety of prey. games and coloring pages! 9. Otter populations in the Himalayas are found well above 3000 metres altitude. Marine otter range The marine otter (Lontra felina) is a type of otter. Amazing Facts About the Otter. They also scavenge for garbage, bringing them into close contact with people. The Basics. It lives along South America’s Pacific coast. They live in offshore forests of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera), and spend most of their active time foraging below the canopy. It has coarse, dense dark brown hair and lighter brown underparts. 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). 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. 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. They are small animals that average about four feet in length and up to 30 pounds. They also eat small mammals and birds. Their habitats can be both marine and freshwater. Sea otters are … We hope you enjoyed this article about the smallest marine mammal. A Chilean fur trade report documented that between 1910-1954 about 38000 otter pelts were exported. 16 Playful Facts About Otters. Its feet are equipped with webs for swimming. The Marine otter is the smallest of the otters of the New World otters. Sea otters are unique in the otter family as the only species to give birth in the water. Despite its common name, the North American river otter is equally comfortable in either coastal marine or freshwater habitats. 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. They are often mistaken for beavers though. 7. Would you like to receive a notice and link when the Pups stay with their mothers for the first 8 months of life. Also called the sea cat, the marine otter is found along the Pacific coastline from equatorial Peru to the southern tip of South America. Its feet are equipped with webs for swimming. 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 … Marine otters live along the Humboldt-current, which provides them with abundant food resources, but has very chill water-temperature. It has a long body, a flat head with small ears, and a broad muzzle with whiskers. Top Facts about Otters. Its feet are equipped with webs for swimming. Mating, birth, and nursing take pl… Otters consume mainly fish but many people think that they eat plants and berries. The marine otter (Lontra felina) is a rare and relatively unknown South American mammal of the weasel family (Mustelidae). 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. They are most likely monogamous. "IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Lontra felina". Mothers will continue to float on their backs, nurse their young and teach them to swim and hunt. Otters are adorable creatures that live both on land and in the water. Sea otters (Enhydra lutris) are an easily recognized and beloved marine mammal. Marine otters are rather shy, so you have to train your skills to become a decent otter-spotter. 1. Populations are small and isolated and the estimated but unconfirmed population is said to be 1000 individuals. The South American river otter can be found in marine, freshwater, and terrestrial habitats throughout Chile and Argentina. There are 13 species in total, ranging from the small-clawed otter to the giant otter. More to come soon. All otter species appear on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and only one is listed as "least concern." See more ideas about otters, otter love, sea otter. It is mostly solitary, and only… Hunted nearly to extinction by the fur trade, sea otters are endangered and currently exist in only a portion of their historic range. In fact, at 850,000 to 1 million hairs per square inch, sea otters have the thickest fur of any mammal. Also called the sea cat, the marine otter is found along the Pacific coastline from equatorial Peru to the southern tip of South America. 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. 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. The European or Eurasian otter is often referred to as the common otter. Yes, indeed! The sea otter (Enhydra lutris) is rare, completely marine otter. This aquatic member of the weasel family is found along the coasts of the Pacific Ocean in North America and Asia. 8. Many otters eat tough food, particularly sea otters that inhabit the shallow coastal waters of the northern Pacific. The sea otter (Enhydra lutris)! Sea otter facts! Otters are carnivores, which means they eat meat. 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? © Copyright Whale Watching Chile 2015-2020. 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. 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. It has a long body, a flat head with small ears, and a broad muzzle with whiskers. EVER, on this whooole planet! Usually, a single baby (called a pup) is produced following 4 to 5 months of pregnancy. Otters are carnivorous mammals with thick fur and webbed feet. Sadly, the marine otter is an endangered species. Marine otters not to be mistaken with their North-American relatives, the sea otters, who are about 10 times bigger than their Chilean cousins. Otters are part of the Mustelid family of animals which also includes badgers, pine martens and weasels. In Chile, they are mostly known as chungungos what comes from the language of the mapuche people, mapudungun. It had been observed, that both parents take part in parental duties. The sea otter (Enhydra lutris) is a marine mammal native to the coasts of the northern and eastern North Pacific Ocean. Otters are fun creatures to watch and they are highly intelligent. Unlike most marine mammals, they don't have a layer of blubber. This stone is used to crack open mollusks. They have small heads, with long necks and shoulders. That’s right, how cool is that! Marine otters have been observed eating rock codling, toad fish, clingfish, … All Rights Reserved. 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. They hunt for food both in the water such as fish and then also land creatures including small reptiles. 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. Also called the sea cat, the marine otter is found along the Pacific coastline from equatorial Peru to the southern tip of South America. There are 13 identified species of Otters known. This article is only an excerpt. Apr 14, 2018 - Explore HappyCat1111's board "Otters", followed by 1204 people on Pinterest. This charismatic marine species displays charm and dexterity. 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! BY Hannah Keyser. The marine otter prefers habitat with rocky coastal areas and bays and inlets near estuaries. They also catch fish up to 23.6 inches (60 cm) long. They are native to the northern coastlines of the Pacific Ocean, from northern Japan to Baja, Mexico. It has a long body, a flat head with small ears, and a broad muzzle with whiskers. 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. Learn 15 more facts about these fascinating mammals. Habitat. 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