The sea otter spends most of its time in the water but, in some locations, comes ashore to sleep or rest. That can double though with one in captivity. In terms of lifespan, sea otters are long-lived mammals. Another thing that is important when it comes to their health and wellbeing is the food they consume. Males weigh up to 90 lbs. You can usually observe feeding times at the zoos too which is fun. The sea otter can live its entire life without leaving the water. Yet, there is information that they can reach 20 years when they are n captivity. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. [1] In the past, they were extensively hunted both for their fur and due to perceived competition with fisheries. Foraging resumes for a few hours in the afternoon and subsides before sunset, and a third foraging period may occur around midnight. Established in 1964, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has evolved to become the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global conservation status of animal, fungi and plant species. The marine otter mainly inhabits rocky shorelines with abundant seaweed and kelp, and infrequently visits estuaries and freshwater rivers. Unlike many species of weasels, scientists believe the marine otter to be monogamous. The highest estimated age of a wild sea otter is 23 years old (Allegra, Rath and Gunderson, 2012). Some say that the sea otter lives longer than other otters. Little is known about the diet of marine otters, but their primary prey is believed to be crab, shrimp, mollusks, and fish. In captivity, this may increase to 17, with an unconfirmed record of 19. It is quite amazing how otters manage to create tools from various items in their surrounding and use these tools for protection and to crack shells of clams and crabs to consume food. Hunted nearly to extinction by the fur trade, sea otters are endangered and currently exist in only a portion of their historic range. This is important because sea otters do not have the layer of blubber to keep them warm, as do other marine mammals. Caves and crevices in the rocky shorelines may provide them with the cover they need, and often a holt will have no land access at high tide. Mating and breeding do not occur in the sea. This is the reason why otters are so active and spend several hours a day hunting. They also scavenge for garbage, bringing them into close contact with people. She had been the oldest female southern sea otter at … The sea otter is a well-known marine mammal with a historical range along the west coast of North America. The giant otter, which is the longest otter, weighs around 85 pounds. Adult males weigh on average … and are the smallest marine mammal in North America. and are the smallest marine mammal in North America. They also eat many types of crustaceans.[1]. 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.) Th… In order to stay healthy, they need to consume up to ¼ of their own body weight. Otters are very social and they spend more time with each other. A third eyelid, or nictitating membrane, protects the eye and allows the otter to see when swimming underwater. Brownell, R.L., Jr. 1978 Ecology and conservation of the marine otter, Lutra felina. This allows other marine, and even terrestrial animals, to have abundant amounts of prey. Otter, any of 13–14 species of semiaquatic mammals that belong to the weasel family and are noted for their playfulness. Other mustelids include ferrets and mink. Review the characteristics of marine mammals (percentage of life lived in water, warming adaptations, water adaptations). What is the habitat of a sea otter? For example, as we already said there are different species. This, in turn, provides shelter for sea otter pups and a variety of other marine life, including fish. The Basics The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis), also called the Canadian otter, is the most abundant species of otter. They are difficult to spot, swimming low in the water, exposing only their heads and backs. At the age of 7 years, otters can breed successfully. Then there’s the Sea Otters and a few other species, which are typically polygamous and do not mate for life. [4][5] Its fur is coarse, with guard hairs measuring up to 2 cm (0.79 in) in length covering dense, insulating underfur. Though it is the largest, it isn’t the heaviest. 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. Upon returning to the surface, they float on their backs, with the rock on the stomachs. The sea otter is diurnal. The pups remain with their mother for about 10 months of parental care, and can sometimes be seen on the mother's belly as she swims on her back, a practice similar to that of the sea otter. They use the rock as a table against which they smash their shelled prey to … Check out our marine otter selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. Otters are considered to be some of the toughest creatures on earth. Even though otters have proven to be adaptable animals, many of them can’t make quick changes and lose their lives. Sea otters live in the nearshore marine ecosystem, which consists of rocky shores and kelp forests. It grows from 4.9 to 5.9 feet (1.5 to 1.8 meters) long. The scientific name means "otter cat", and in Spanish, the marine otter is also often referred to as gato marino: "marine cat". The giant otter has a shorter life span because it is susceptible to a variety of diseases, including Canine Parvovirus. Other great locations are where aquatic life is on display. Its ears and nostrils are closed down in water. Their passion for climbing and running is incomparable. ... Lifespan: The average lifespan is 12 years; the oldest river otter recorded was 27: Social Structure: ... rivers, and lakes. Marine otters have also been observed feeding cooperatively on large fish, but it is not known how common the practice is. This allows other marine, and even terrestrial animals, to have abundant amounts of prey. Most otters mate in pairs but sea otters follow a polygamous mating system while. They can also reach 25 years of age in captivity. It has a period of foraging and eating in the morning, starting about an hour before sunrise, then rests or sleeps in mid-day. 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. 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. Mating, birth, and nursing take pl… Find Otterbox Defender Iphone 4 in Buy & Sell | Buy and sell new and used items near you in Ontario. They give birth to one pup but sea otters can give birth to twins. Marine otters are found in littoral areas of southwestern South America, close to shore and in the intertidal areas of northern Peru (from the port of Chimbote), along the entire coast of Chile, and the extreme southern reaches of Argentina. Marine otters are foraging predators that eat a wide variety of prey. IUCN Publication New Series, pp. The sea otter spends most of its time in the water but, in some locations, comes ashore to sleep or rest. The marine otter’s scientific name Lontra felina translates to “otter cat” in Spanish due to its cat-like appearance with a blunt nose and prominent whiskers. This saltwater exclusivity is unlike most other otter species, except for the almost fully aquatic sea otter (Enhydra lutris) of the North Pacific. The International Otter Survival Fund (IOSF) is one of the world's leading otter charities. When it comes to the lifespan of these animals, we must say that there is no exact answer to the question “How long do otters live?” However, according to many experts who have worked with these animals, their average lifespan is around 10 years. this is insane it helped me with 95% of my grade thank you. There are many different factors that affect the longevity of otters. 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 • 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. Otters can have a tail that is a foot long. Not only are sea otters one of the most adorable mammals found in our ocean, they also play an essential role in their marine ecosystem. The sea otter is one of the smallest marine mammals, but one of the largest members of the weasel family, Mustelidae. Known as a keystone species, sea otters have a greater effect on their environment than other organisms within that system. They come in many sizes. 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. The marine otter is a charismatic marine mammal that lives along the Pacific coast of South America. An adult North American river otter can weigh between 5.0 and 14 kg (11.0 and 30.9 lb). Sea otter predation and community organization in the Western Aleutian Islands, Alaska. 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