marine otter facts

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