(and it isn’t going all that great at the moment, apparently), http://calgary.ctvnews.ca/calgary-zoo-celebrates-birth-of-otter-pups-1.1759310, http://stanleyparkecology.ca/ai1ec_event/water-loving-otters-beavers-2/?instance_id=632. Love your writing style. Wild Animals . Sea otters: Dark brown with a much lighter head. Female otters in the California region can weigh up to 60 pounds, while males can weigh up to 90 pounds. Found in both saltwater and freshwater, a river otter lounges around riverbanks and swims with its belly down, keeping the majority of its body submerged below the water. Reports now state that otters inhabit every county in the UK – great news for the otter! The Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris) is the smallest marine mammal in North America – males measure 1.2 metres in length and weigh an average of 45 kilograms (females are a bit smaller). ... sea otter pup floats on its back. Therefore, they are very active and can easily chase their pray species in the water. However, male sea otters measure 6 feet in length and weigh 80 pounds. They will also use the abandoned burrows of other animals including beaver lodges. The gait of sea otters on land is somewhat clumsy, but river otters can sprint short distances at high speed. One thing many people don’t realize is just how much larger sea otters are compared to river otters. River Otter (Lutra canadensis) Description The otter is the largest member of the weasel family (Mustelidae) found in South Carolina. The late great Nyac, a survivor of the Exxon Valdez. The river otter is adapted for both land and water with short legs, webbed toes, and a strong, flattened tail. They’re even known to wrap their babies in kelp to keep them safe and warm while they’re 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! ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Three sea otter pups are now in the care of the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward. http://stanleyparkecology.ca/ai1ec_event/water-loving-otters-beavers-2/?instance_id=632. The scientific name means "otter cat", and in Spanish, the marine otter is also often referred to as gato marino: "marine cat". Well hello Réjeanne! They travelled the 125 feet from the back of our property in no time at all and in the 35 years I have lived here in west Vancouver I have never seen them in the creek or on the land. If you seek to achieve success when trapping river otter, check out the following sets that reduce misses and put more fur in your trap shed. River otters: Dark brown. River otters vs. and sea otters belong to the weasel family and may be found living in the same habitat. Mobile alerts from Ocean Conservancy. Get monthly (ish) updates via email from Don Enright. They figure mom will allow them to see people in May http://calgary.ctvnews.ca/calgary-zoo-celebrates-birth-of-otter-pups-1.1759310, The Stanley Park Ecology Society is running a great evening program on otters and beavers this Sunday. The photo at left shows where an otter stepped on top of a bobcat track. Are both types of otters in the same family? Wild Kratts - River Otters vs. Sea Otters. 300. Please try We have been seeing them (or one of them, can’t be sure) on the shore of Seneca Lake, of the Finger Lakes, New York. Despite its common name, the North American river otter is equally comfortable in either coastal marine or freshwater habitats. Here’s what I do: Read More about “I think we should work together.”…. Otters can close their noses and ears when they are underwater to keep the water out. River otter WEIGHT: 10–30 lbs. The sea otter is a mammal of the weasel family well adapted for sea life. They are 95% aquatic and spend pretty much their entire lives in kelp beds just off the sea shore a kilometre or two. River Otters and Sea Otters have this in common: their noses and ears do what when they are underwater? Sea otters are not nearly so versatile. Sea otters are acclimated to salt water, and come to shore only for occasional rest periods and to give birth. The more diverse river otters live primarily in freshwater rivers and streams, but are also found in coastal saltwater areas. River otters are sometimes mistaken for their much larger seagoing cousin, the sea otter (Enhydra lutris, Fig. "After patiently waiting by their lagoon, the whole family came out to play and hunt. River otters are more petite. They go wherever the fish are: ponds, lakes, rivers, lagoons, and right into the ocean whenever they want. I really enjoyed this. Sleek fur and skinny profile. From their curious faces to their charming behaviors, the otters of the world have earned the title of many nature lovers’ favorite creatures. Otters vs Beavers. You know, they really appear to love everything they do. River otters range from Florida to Qebec on over to California and Kotzebue Sound. 1:29. River otters are rambunctious, aquatic, streamlined mammals that spend much of their time in the water. Their swimming mechanisms are also a little different. River vs. Sea Otter Baculum This is a comparison of the small river otter baculum with the larger sea otter baculum. These are river otters. The differences will become obvious! StoryfulNews. It is the longest member of the weasel family, Mustelidae, a globally successful group of predators, reaching up to 1.7 metres (5.6 ft).Atypical of mustelids, the giant otter is a social species, with family groups typically supporting three to eight members. Also look for a thick, long drag mark behind the tracks made by the otter’s tail. River otters also have long, muscular tails unlike their sea counterparts. They eat a lot and have a very high metabolic rate. We know it can get otterly confusing to differentiate the species, so here are five ways to tell them apart! River Otters with Snow. These two different animals have their key differences, but one thing is for sure: they’re all still otterly loveable wildlife all the same! High quality River Otter gifts and merchandise. 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)! If sea otters did return to the bay, they would share it with the river otters that have recently returned on their own. I tried to explain that they were just gulls, and that the term "seagull" was invented to apply to those gull species that frequented the sea … you see? Inspired designs on t-shirts, posters, stickers, home decor, and more by independent artists and designers from around the world. Otter Madness. It prefers to dine on fish, but also eats crayfish, and occasionally small mammals and birds. An adult North American river otter can weigh between 5.0 and 14 kg (11.0 and 30.9 lb). 2:49. TAIL: Rounded FEET: Uniform front and rear feet SWIMS: On stomach HABITAT: Salt or freshwater RESTS: On shore in dens Sea otter WEIGHT: 50–100 lbs. Not to worry, friends. Occasionally we see them in the SF Bay Area. Some species are solitary, but others are social and living in groups. For example mothers and pups are able to recognize the sounds of each other even with many other Otters in the same area. The river otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur. 300. Sea otters are about twice the weight of their riverine cousins, making them much bigger and bulkier. Msg & data rates may apply. Doctor Snuggles 08 The Remarkable Fidgety River. Short tail. Terms and Conditions. Our organization is not affiliated with any other otter-related research group or community outreach organization. Browse 1,398 river otter stock photos and images available, or search for north american river otter or giant river otter to find more great stock photos and pictures. C.L. Although similar looking, river otters tend to be skinnier and less furry than their sea otter cousins, and spend much of their time running around on land as well as in the water. what is the diffrence between otters and groundhogs i live by lake erie and i see these things and my dad thinks there ground hogs i think there otters whats the diffrence how do i tell if its a otter and how do i prove it i mean its by lake erie so im guessing its a otter not a ground hog Yet they tend to be able to identify the sounds that come from those that they identify with. Here’s the little guy at the culvert, just after his three siblings have disappeared into it: Your writing style is engaging and entertaining. Everyone who sees them on the lakeshore thinks they are irresistible. We receive no government funding, and depend solely on financial support from our friends. Sea otters live in large colonies, but river otters tend to stay in small family groups. River otter fur ranges from light to dark, rich brown. It rests in burrows, dense shrubbery, under the root system of overturned trees, etc., so look for them along rivers and streams and around lakes and ponds, where there is a lot of forest and shrubby cover. Over the past few years however, we have had the exciting chance to view true sea otters near Victoria, as an increase in their population has brought them closer to home. A perfect set of river otters tracks will show the webbing between its toes and the indentations from its nails. Yay! I’m so glad you enjoyed the article. Watch sea otters crack open mussels on stone anvils Inside the dark world of captive wildlife tourism She donated her body to science, and now she'll live forever This video by Tom Reynolds shows sea otters first, then river otters. Share Link. There are 13 species of otter in four genera, all of which are relatives of the weasel, but there is only one species of sea otter. Very often swim on their backs. Wild Kratts. An otter is any of the 13 living species of semiaquatic or aquatic mammals. So when I’m out for a walk, just minding my own business enjoying the fall colours, and something fantastic happens, I tend to kick into explainer mode. Featured Videos Related Why Hundreds of Sea Otters Died in the Pacific Watch a Family of Otters Fight Off a Crocodile. Sea otters are twice the size of river otters, and are never far from the ocean. The main difference is that with swimming river otters, you often just see the head and neck, not the full length of the body. We work with parks and museums and science centres and aquariums, to help them plan and produce their programs and exhibits. River otters live near rivers and other sources of fresh water. Text STOP to 69866 to stop receiving messages. 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. If your community has stocked triploid grass carp, otters may remove them from the pond. We were treated to a family of six river otters in the bay just off Second Beach in Vancouver’s Stanley Park. Spunky fish-chomping river otters who faced extinction in Colorado and other Western states are bouncing back -- evidence that keeping waterways clean and … THIS WAS ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE!!! A playful family of river otters rolling around in the sand, apparently taking a communal sand bath at Point Reyes National Seashore in California. Otters can be found in streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes. Depending on the location on their body, sea otters can have as many as 170,000-1,000,000 hairs per square inch! Despite the tediousness often associated with river otter trapping, those that are detail-oriented can utilize any one of several time-honored trap sets to catch otters wherever they frequent. Male sea otters set up territories in female areas, and attempt to mate with any female that enters their territory. 30:07 . But river otters never got the memo about being river otters. Sorry, but we failed to add you to the list. 1:39. I’m a compulsive explainer. Otters are very chatty, so when you are around a large group of them it can sound chaotic. Whether you’re sailing the coast of the Pacific Northwest or hiking the riverbanks of West Virginia, you now have the tools to tell the difference between river otters and sea otters. Otter tracks will also, at some point, reliably register clear mesial webbing – the webbing unites the toes at the half-way point. Both kinds of otters: A furry bundle of awesome. 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. 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 Onion once ran a wonderful headline: “Black lab has best day of his life for 862nd day in a row.” You could easily apply that to river otters. In comparison, river otters can be found in Newsflare. Thank you for solving this mystery. The otter’s large left hind foot landed on a left front bobcat track. River otters are very messy eaters—but they really appear to love eating. I LOVED IT AND SO DID MY 8 yr-old BROTHER!!! This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Run easily on land. Thanks Don – great blog. 0:37. Big, black, triangular “teddy bear” nose. 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