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