In some cases, dominant otters may kidnap pups from subordinate members of the group, forcing them to provide care for the stolen young. 7, no. Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, 2020. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Otters are often elusive, with large ranges and nocturnal behaviour making spotting them a rare and wonderful experience. Even though mature sea otters weigh roughly 100 pounds, they require about 7,500 calories per day! Additionally, some fish species may prey on their younglings. Many species of river and sea otters are . Sliding Behavior in Nearctic River Otters: Locomotion or Play?Northeastern Naturalist, vol. Here's what you need to know about these terrible animals, and why you should fear and hate them. Source: 14 Fascinating, Super-Disturbing Facts About The Human Body. Spraint composition is unique to each otter, and the creatures can identify each other by the smells. Stephens, Tim. Their small heads widen to long necks and shoulders, and they have flattened, well-muscled tails. The only places without endemic otters are Australia and Antarctica. Moreover, increased conservation efforts are needed in order to monitor population numbers, reduce polluting activities and stop activities that destroy their habitats. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Otters have big appetites to account for the great conditions they face. Forced interspecies sex. They are carnivores with a diet that includes a wide range of marine animals. Do Sea Otters Rape Baby Seals? | Snopes.com Unfortunately the number of tea-trees is diminishing. They will also use hollows under trees or old rabbit holes. These otters have brown-to-gray fur, and their undersides are a lighter, silvery . Now, just because an animal is a carnivore doesnt mean its evil, right? As it turns out, otters can be quite evil. All otter species appear on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and only one is listed as "least concern." 11 Adorable Facts about Otters - Fact City Additionally, the disturbing behavior of mating with other species can impact conservation efforts and public perception of these animals, further highlighting the importance of understanding and addressing this behavior. Carnivore. Either due to better reporting or to increased otter savagery, the numbers grew over the decades, from three in the 1980s to 13 in the 1990s to 17 in the 2000s. Yes, as they build their dens, they can cause significant changes to their environment. - Diving into the Science! The elusive otter is one of our top predators, feeding mainly on fish (particularly eels and salmonids), waterbirds, amphibians and crustaceans. This adds an additional layer of complexity to the already challenging task of maintaining balanced ecosystems. You keep hoping that. Like many animals, if an otter or its babies feel frightened, they may become aggressive and most events occur while a person was walking or swimming close to water. Baby ones raised in captivity squeak when introduced to water for the first time. Giant river otters hunt in a group of nine and hunt together, and also store food, giving them the nickname "lobos de ro" or "river wolves". But some, particularly in present-day Canada and Alaska, viewed the river otter "with awe and dread" and associated the creatures with the undead and drowning. How this animal can survive is a mystery. They can also close their small ears and nose when under water. They live mainly on land that is very close to bodies of water. Otters survive by hunting, and as such they live in unpolluted waters. Do not reproduce without permission. While this predatory behavior is a natural part of their existence, it can sometimes have detrimental effects on their ecosystems. This mating behavior is typically driven by the males desire to maximize his chances of passing on his genes to future generations. In Bangladesh, otters help fisherman maximize their haul. Advertisement. Otters will hold hands while they sleep and drift so that they don't separate! Strange as it may seem, mating is a relatively common cause of death for female sea otters as well. They eat 9 pounds of food each day. If a male is too aggressive during the mate (which he usually is), the female will drown below the surface. The otters, which need to consume 25 percent to 35 percent of their body weight every day in order to maintain their metabolism and keep themselves warm in the cool waters, are divided into three "dietary guilds": Deep-diving otters that dine on abalone, urchins, and Dungeness crab; medium divers who subsist on clams, worms, and smaller shellfish; and those that stay in shallower waters, feeding on black snails. Are Otters Mean? The Pros And Cons Of Keeping An Otter As A Pet The playful North American river otter is equally at home in the water and on land. A cat parasite called toxoplasmosis also poses a threat to these creatures. Oracka 4, Nova Iskra, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia That amount of calories is insane because that is three times what an average human needs. Therefore, they are big on tools and will often use rocks to help crack into dinner. This means. As a result, if you ever find yourself in proximity to an otter (river or sea), back off. They Aren't All Sea Otters. River otter | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife River otters live primarily in freshwater, though they do swim and hunt in seawater. All rights reserved, as many as a million hairs per square inch, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Mating with other species is an unusual and disturbing behavior observed in some otters, particularly sea otters. About 12-20 in (30-50 cm) can be dedicated to its long tail. They also force sex with other species. 30 Of The Weirdest And The Most Disturbing Facts From Known History The two species found in North America are river otters and sea otters, the latter of which are also found in Japan and the Pacific coast of Russia. The otters were examined in 2011 and none of the population showed any symptoms of the virus, but antibodies for the virus were discovered within 70 percent of 51 otters sampled. They use their front paws with a dexterity that nearly rivals humans. . But don't be deceived by the holding of hands and cheek rubbing sighted in photos used for posters, memes, and throw pillows, otters are still wild animals and can be harmful. Copyright 2023 NATURE WORLD NEWS All rights reserved. Do Otters Have Webbed Feet? Regardless of the reasons behind this behavior, the impacts on the ecosystems are significant. A river otter has a long, stream-lined body, short legs, and webbed feet. This ancient marvel rivaled Romes intricate network of roads, For some long COVID patients, exercise is bad medicine, Radioactive dogs? Fine, fine, I'll give them this much: they appear to be helpful in the fight against catastrophic climate change. Every animal on Earth (including humans) has learned to adapt to its environment, which means sometimes having to make difficult (or gross) choices to survive. Hell, Vox.com once employed its own full-time otter enthusiast. Hairy-nosed otters are an endangered species found in Asia. River Otter - Facts and Beyond | Biology Dictionary Cute Otters - 10 Facts about the Otter for Kids! - YouTube Sea otters are members of the family Mustelidae which includes other animals like badgers and weasels. His passion for wildlife stems from a childhood spent in the countryside, where he developed a deep fascination with the behaviors of wild animals. 12 Facts About Otters for Sea Otter Awareness Week With their furry faces and charming personalities, they have captured the hearts of many. Or, she might rely on human resources and otter ingenuity to find a makeshift "playpen" for her pup. Scientists hypothesize that these seemingly counterproductive mating habits might be the result of a population imbalance. Yes, youve read that right. From blood-squirting lizards to deceivingly cute killer sea otters, there are plenty of creepy behaviours in the natural world, that far outdo the supernatural. Numerous threats to otters exist and primarily include pollution, habitat destruction, overfishing, and poaching. Unlike other weasels, otters are semi-aquatic. "Asian Short-Clawed Otter." 2023 NatureWorldNews.com All rights reserved. shout when a threat is nearby. When faced with a threat, they wont hesitate to use their powerful teeth and strong jaws to inflict serious injury. In this post, well talk about why otters are evil and why they arent the cuddlers they appear to be. Creepiest Pokmon: The 10 most disturbing of all time Found in cat feces, it enters waterways through runoff and flushable cat litter. Weve mentioned these species worst behaviors, but did you know that there have been numerous reports of otters harming humans that they come in contact with? There is no conclusive evidence as to why they do this. Additionally, if an otter approaches, it is important to maintain a safe distance and avoid feeding or interacting with the animal. This may not surprise those who know the animal well, but its important to note that otters are carnivores. You can also contribute via. In California's Monterey Bay, where scientists observed otters trying to copulate with the week-old bodies of dead baby seals, there are far more male otters than females. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Hairy-nosed Otter, 2015, doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2015-2.rlts.t12421a21936999.en. Male sea otters have been known to engage in sexual aggression toward baby seals, an act that can result in severe injuries and even the death of the seal. Only the North American River Otter has been classified as having a stable population . U.S.D.A. Lutrinae contains seven genuses and 12 different species, spanning every continent save Australia and Antarctica; a 13th species, the Japanese river otter, was declared extinct in 2012, like many otter species before it. "Why are otters playful?" In one prior report on breeding-associated mortality, a tagged territorial male sea otter held a struggling female underwater until her body became limp and then copulated repeatedly with her carcass. A 2011 study found 39 anecdotal reports of river otter attacks in North America, 35 of which occurred after 1980. They like to slide off. Fun North American River Otter Facts For Kids | Kidadl Among the most notable calls: a "hum gradation" used to tell otters to change directions and a "Hah!" 30 Of The Most Disturbing Things About Human Bodies That Might Freak 5, 2020, p. 200141., doi:10.1098/rsos.200141. If you thought that otters, like beavers, eat a plant-based diet, you are mistaken. After raping a baby seal to death, this psycho licked his paws, like Hannibal Lecter or something. Scientists Pinpoint Parasite Strain, Weird and Fascinating Ways Animals Use Poop, River Otters Take Party Pooping to A New Level, A Keystone Species, The Sea Otter, Colonizes Glacier Bay, Energy Demands of Raising a Pup Push Sea Otter Moms to the Limit. While rare, injuries to humans caused by them can occur, highlighting the importance of respecting these wild animals and maintaining a safe distance. This territorial marking is essential for maintaining the social hierarchy within their group and preventing conflicts with other otters. However, this behavior can also result in conflicts with rival males and female otters, further highlighting the complexities of otter social structures. Most species hunt for three to five hours each day and nursing mothers up to eight hours each day. They can act as carriers of various parasites and pathogens, highlighting the potential risks associated with close interactions between humans and wildlife. They also use body language and scent marking to communicate ownership and boundaries. There has been an incident where an otter had tried to mate with a dog and killed it in the process. Otters guide: how to identify and species facts | BBC Wildlife Magazine Prepare to see these furry creatures in a whole new light. I couldn't find any reports of attacks on humans from sea otters, but that may just be a function of sea otters being much rarer than river otters, and spending less time on or near dry land than river otters do. Keeping an eye on otters in the wild is a tricky task. In Brazil's Pantanal, we get the rare opportunity to film a family of rare and elusive giant otters. River otters are especially playful, gamboling on land and splashing into rivers and streams. Link, Russell. Otter groups are called a family, bevy, lodge, or a romp. This ordinary woman hid Anne Frankand kept her story alive, This Persian marvel was lost for millennia. They can also be harmed by entanglement with ghost nets and other rogue fishing gear. Source: 14 Fascinating, Super-Disturbing Facts About The Human Body. They're merciless hellspawn who use their intellects for great evil. That makes it about a thousand times more dense than human hair. Its thought to get its special odor, which some scientists describe as smelling like violets, from the seafood diet otters eat. Advertisement. They also sleep wrapped in long strands of kelp like a blanket. Undisputedly, otters are one of nature's wonders that are particularly friendly-looking and cute, even having their charismatic gestures capable of stimulating dopamine hormone in the human body. They learn to swim when they are about two months old, when their mother pushes them into the water. Dominant males often establish themselves as the head of a group, while subordinate males may attempt to challenge the leaders position. Ocean Conservancy. In addition to re-introduction programs, other measures are also taken by conservationists such as habitat protection, awareness campaigns targeting local communities about how their activities target or affect the animals populations, monitoring and control over toxins released into water bodies with where otters live or breed and enforcement of laws against hunting or poaching. Sea otters are the exception, giving birth in the water. How do we reverse the trend? As natural predators of fish, otters can consume significant quantities of fish, causing a decline in available stocks and potential economic losses for local communities. River otters dont breed until theyre at least five years old. 5. In areas where otter populations are declining, conservationists may attempt to introduce new individuals to bolster the population. 1. They do it all on their own, with no help from the fathers. "Living With Otters: River Otters." In 2014, a study of giant otters found that the river-dwellers have 22 distinct noises they make for different situations. Read our about page! Those efforts are admirable and valuable to the ecosystems of which otters are a part. This behavior has been documented in various locations, including the Aleutian Islands and California. For centuries, fisherman have been training otters to act as herders and chase large schools of fish into the nets. As a wildlife enthusiast with an insatiable curiosity for the natural world, Aleksandar is the man behind the scenes and, together with Kristina, has co-founded Wild Explained. Second, otters can give you H1N1, better known as "swine flu," as our friends at The Verge have reported. This impact on fisheries can be particularly significant in areas with already vulnerable fish populations, where otters predation can further destabilize the ecosystem. The lifespan varies depending on the species and region. Also Read:Smart Animals: Sea Otters Used Tools Even Before Dolphins and Humans Did, Study Says. In fact, females havedisproportionately higher rates of fatality explained by the vicious mating ritual. Some cultures even forbid eating the creatures and were offended when colonial Europeans began hunting the river otters and selling their furs. These otters also have less webbing between their digits. Yeah, that's right. It may be tempting to try and pet the cute and. Most are small, with short ears and noses, elongated bodies, long tails, and. As otters build their dens, they can cause significant changes to their environment. As explained by the National Wildlife Foundation's Robyn Carmichael, sea otters frequently eat sea urchins, which in turn are known for eating massive amounts of kelp, which is very good at taking in carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. Langley, Liz. Namely, they are extremely aggressive when they mate. Today you will find out some history facts that you may not have heard of before, and they come with a twist, as Redditor Doyouareisstupid asked, "What is the weirdest/most disturbing fact about our world's history that you know?" It's a perfect read for the spooky season we are now in because people have knowledge about some . While rare, injuries to humans caused by them can occur, particularly if they feel threatened or cornered. However, even within these communal groups, otters still exhibit territorial behavior and establish dominance hierarchies, highlighting the importance of resource control in their survival. "How to Tell the Difference Between Sea Otters and River Otters." They must carefully groom their fur and furry undercoat to keep them clean and sealed off to water, because theyre not covered in a fatty layer like other seagoing creatures. 30 . During which time otters have adapted to live both on land and in water. In many places, it is illegal to keep them as pets due to their protected status and potential danger to humans. Otters can be discovered inhabiting almost every continent on Earth and these imply otter facts are applicable to all 13 species, many of which are sadly endangered because of overhunting, pandemic viruses, and habitat destruction among certain populations of the otter. Yes, they have natural predators such as large birds of prey, alligators, and crocodiles. River otters have many interesting qualities and adaptations that make them wonderful entertainment. First, male otters sometimes hold pups ransom to force their mothers to give up some of their food.

A Eurasian river otter mother relaxes with with her two seven-month-old cubs on a shoreline in Shetland, U.K.