Yet, there is information that they can reach 20 years when they are n captivity. Review the characteristics of marine mammals (percentage of life lived in water, warming adaptations, water adaptations). Upon returning to the surface, they float on their backs, with the rock on the stomachs. This allows other marine, and even terrestrial animals, to have abundant amounts of prey. Otters reproduction and life cycle. 104-106. Mating season is all-year round. Marine otters are often illegally captured and killed for their pelts, which are used for footwear, especially boots. There are 13 distinct species of otters ranging from the giant otter to the marine otter. The other, much smaller otter breed is the Marine Otter, whose population lives on the coasts of Peru and Chile. The teeth are developed for slicing instead of crushing. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It is mostly solitary, and only… The average length of an adult female is 4 feet and average weight is 60 lbs. This is the reason why otters are so active and spend several hours a day hunting. Their main habitat is on the land near to water bodies. Sea otters have a polygynous mating system, meaning that a … The tail comprises less than a third of the body length. Sea otters are a highly endangered marine mammal. Otters can have a tail that is a foot long. Hunted nearly to extinction by the fur trade, sea otters are endangered and currently exist in only a portion of their historic range. It has short tail and webbed-feet with retractable front claws. Males weigh 22-45 kg and are 1.2-1.5 m in length. A reduced ability to detect odours is a common property of marine mammals. The Asian small-clawed otter is the smallest otter which weighs around 10 pounds. Interestingly, otters are smart planners. The marine otter is generally brown with a paler, lighter underside and especially light throat. The Sea Otter is a specie from the Enhydra genus. In terms of lifespan, sea otters are long-lived mammals. Sea otters are commonly spotted on WWF’s Alaska tours. About; ... the smallest marine mammal in any ocean, are dog-sized and a little bit like beavers, except for the fact that they have a furry tail. Th… The marine otter is a charismatic marine mammal that lives along the Pacific coast of South America. Read a characteristic or fact from a marine mammal (otter, whale). 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. Females are generally smaller. It grows from 4.9 to 5.9 feet (1.5 to 1.8 meters) long. They have an interesting method of eating their prey. Then there’s the Sea Otters and a few other species, which are typically polygamous and do not mate for life. Wild sea otters typically have a lifespan between 15 and 20 years. What is the habitat of a sea otter? The average life span for an Otter is 10 years. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. It is a marine mammal native to the coasts of the northern and eastern North Pacific Ocean. [1] In the past, they were extensively hunted both for their fur and due to perceived competition with fisheries. The International Otter Survival Fund (IOSF) is one of the world's leading otter charities. In the UK IOSF is the only charity solely dedicated to the conservation, protection and care of otters based on years of scientific research in the UK and around the world. Sea otters dive to rocky reefs, where they collect invertebrates and also a large rock. Males are larger than females and the northern species of sea otter is large than the southern species. The tail comprises less than a third of the body length. In Females are slightly smaller, weighing 14-33 kg and measuring 1-1.4 m in length. All of the otter species should have a habitat that allows them to move from land to the water. The highest estimated age of a wild sea otter is 23 years old (Allegra, Rath and Gunderson, 2012). Sea otters are the smallest marine … While illegal, harvesting marine otters is a fairly frequent occurrence in Chile, as the potential of being caught and fined is low. Otters cannot be kept as pets because they require specific conditions for longevity. It has a period of foraging and eating in the morning, starting about an hour before sunrise, then rests or sleeps in mid-day. At the age of 7 years, otters can breed successfully. Due to their beautiful pelt, otters are often targeted by hunters and this is the reason why many countries have passed laws that protect these animals. The marine otter (Lontra felina) is a rare and relatively unknown South American mammal of the weasel family (Mustelidae). This, in turn, provides shelter for sea otter pups and a variety of other marine life, including fish. (41 kilograms).The smallest otter is the Asian small-clawed otter, which grows up to 2.9 fee… Sea otters are native to the coasts along the eastern and northern Pacific Ocean. The natural diet of these animals includes frogs, fish, birds, rabbits and eels. 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. The giant otter is the longest otter measuring approximately 7 feet from nose to tail. Males can weigh up to 70 lbs. 9. They prefer the shoreline to the deeper waters. Sea otters live in the Pacific Ocean while giant otters live in the tropical rain forests of South America. 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 The marine otter is one of the smallest otters and the smallest marine mammal,[2][3] measuring 87 to 115 cm (34 to 45 in) from the nose to the tip of the tail and weighs 3 to 5 kg (6.6 to 11.0 lb). The sea otter can live its entire life without leaving the water. [4][5] Its fur is coarse, with guard hairs measuring up to 2 cm (0.79 in) in length covering dense, insulating underfur. What is the lifespan of a sea otter? Other mustelids include ferrets and mink. Sea otter fur is the densest of any mammal at about 1 million hairs per square inch (We have 100,000 hairs on our entire head). Marine otters are foraging predators that eat a wide variety of prey. Life Expectancy - Yrs. Even though otters have proven to be adaptable animals, many of them can’t make quick changes and lose their lives. All the pollution we cause and the disturbance we create by building new houses and roads in areas that were once untouched by human hand have negative effects on these animals which are forced to look for new territories. They are difficult to spot, swimming low in the water, exposing only their heads and backs. Males weigh 22-45 kg and are 1.2-1.5 m in length. You can usually observe feeding times at the zoos too which is fun. They choose areas that have rocky substrates. This saltwater exclusivity is unlike most other otter species, except for the almost fully aquatic sea otter (Enhydra lutris) of the North Pacific. Sea otters are foragers that eat mostly hard-shelled invertebrates, including sea urchins and a variety of clams, mussels, and crabs. Reproduction Brownell, R.L., Jr. 1978 Ecology and conservation of the marine otter, Lutra felina. 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. The North American river otters can live for 8-9 years in the wild. The Basics. It helps to protect them as well as to help them steer through the water. An Otter can remain under water for up to … The sea otter is a charismatic marine mammal in the north Pacific Ocean and one of the largest species in the weasel family. The biggest male sea otter can weigh up to 100 pounds. Currently, the species has stable populations in Alaska, alo… But if sea otters are abundant, they eat sea urchins and keep the urchin population in check, which allows kelp to flourish. Otters are adorable animals and they can live both in the land and in the river. Mating and breeding do not occur in the sea. The marine otter lives on land and makes brief forays into the water to hunt while the Pacific Northwest’s sea otter spends its entire life in the ocean. (1.12m) for females. It is not known whether they are territorial, as males are occasionally seen fighting, yet fights have also been observed even between mating pairs. Males weigh up to 90 lbs. Otters are not kept as pets because they need special conditions to live a healthy life, but there are many otters that live in captivity (in research centers, zoos etc.). Sea otter Habitat. Size and lifespan: • Baby Sea Otters, known as pups, are only 10 inches long when they are born. Length and weight: Although the sea otter is the smallest marine mammal, the average adult can be as large as 5 feet in length and weigh up to 70 lbs. ... Lifespan: The average lifespan is 12 years; the oldest river otter recorded was 27: Social Structure: ... rivers, and lakes. Otters are carnivorous mammals in the subfamily Lutrinae.The 13 extant otter species are all semiaquatic, aquatic or marine, with diets based on fish and invertebrates.Lutrinae is a branch of the Mustelidae family, which also includes weasels, badgers, mink, and wolverines, among other animals. Average lifespan: 10–15 years (male) 15–20 years (female) Content Navigation. This can be at large aquariums or entities such as Sea World. 9. Family: The Sea Otter is the largest member of the weasel family (the Mustelidae). The marine otter does not display sexual dimorphism.[4]. As expected, the sea otter genome showed “extremely low genomic … Otter, any of 13–14 species of semiaquatic mammals that belong to the weasel family and are noted for their playfulness. The otter's ears and nostrils close underwater. The sea otter is a well-known marine mammal with a historical range along the west coast of North America. Sea otter predation and community organization in the Western Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Useful References on Polar Bears and Marine & Sea Otters: Marine Otters - Technical. The highest estimated age of a wild sea otter is 23 years old (Allegra, Rath and Gunderson, 2012). ... Otters live in a group, spending their entire lives out at sea, except to give birth. The biggest male sea otter can weigh up to 100 pounds. (1.29m) for males and 3 ft. 8 in. Marine otters avoid sandy beaches. It has 36 teeth and a dental formula of 3.1.3-4.13.1.3.2. Learn how and when to remove this template message, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Marine_otter&oldid=996264443, Articles needing additional references from November 2011, All articles needing additional references, Articles containing Spanish-language text, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 25 December 2020, at 14:17. The southern sea otter is the smallest marine mammal in North America at up to 4 feet (1.2 m) long and up to 50 pounds (23 kg) for females and 70 pounds (32 kg) for males. Before stepping on your boat, make sure you read the owner’s manual for information on operation and safety. this is insane it helped me with 95% of my grade thank you. Little is known about the diet of marine otters, but their primary prey is believed to be crab, shrimp, mollusks, and fish. VANCOUVER -- The Vancouver Aquarium's rescued otter Whiffen died on Saturday an hour into a medical procedure. Two species are marine; the others live mostly in fresh water. She had been the oldest female southern sea otter at … Otters are carnivorous mammals in the subfamily Lutrinae.The 13 extant otter species are all semiaquatic, aquatic or marine, with diets based on fish and invertebrates.Lutrinae is a branch of the Mustelidae family, which also includes weasels, badgers, mink, and wolverines, among other animals. and are the smallest marine mammal in North America. Otters are considered to be some of the toughest creatures on earth. The longest documented giant otter lifespan in the wild is eight years. Otters are real carnivores. The marine otter is a member of the weasel family, Mustelidae, in the Mammalian Order of Carnivora. 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. Datasets and traditional knowledge. Otters are very social and they spend more time with each other. Their passion for climbing and running is incomparable. Observations of the amount of time a sea otter must spend each day foraging range from 24 to 60%, apparently depending on the availability of food in the area. The marine otter's diet mainly consists of invertebrates (including crustaceans and molluscs), fish, and occasionally, birds and small mammals. They also eat many types of crustaceans.[1]. An adult North American river otter can weigh between 5.0 and 14 kg (11.0 and 30.9 lb). Interestingly, Congo Clawless Otters are monogamous but they do not mate for life. The sea otter spends most of its time in the water but, in some locations, comes ashore to sleep or rest. The largest otter is the giant otter. The marine otter mainly inhabits rocky shorelines with abundant seaweed and kelp, and infrequently visits estuaries and freshwater rivers. Parents bring food to the pups and teach them to hunt. The otter is lithe and slender with short legs, a strong neck, and a long flat tail that helps propel it gracefully through water. Find Otterbox Defender Iphone 4 in Buy & Sell | Buy and sell new and used items near you in Ontario. Lifespan: Sea otters can live up to 25 years of age, although the average lifespan is 10 to 12 years. Otter, any of 13–14 species of semiaquatic mammals that belong to the weasel family and are noted for their playfulness. Main Characteristics Marine Otters are the smallest species of otter in the genus Lontra. Adult sea otters standard length is on average 4 ft. 3 in. Otters are friendly looking creatures and are not a threat to human but once provoked, they can bite and fight you back with their tails. They can also reach 25 years of age in captivity. It helps to protect them as well as to help them steer through the water. It appears to select habitats with surprisingly high exposure to strong swells and winds, unlike many other otters, which prefer calmer waters. There are many different factors that affect the longevity of otters. • 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. Females with pups appear to be more inclined to feed at night. The scientific name means "otter cat", and in Spanish, the marine otter is also often referred to as gato marino: "marine cat". Marine otters were listed under CITES Appendix I in 1976, and are listed as endangered by the U.S. Department of the Interior. Adults range in size from 3-4 feet and weigh about 7-13lbs. The name for a group of these animals is a 'romp,’ ‘bevy,’ ‘family,’ ‘lodge,’ or ‘raft'. 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.) Palmisano. They thrive in warm, coastal waters and usually remain within a kilometer from the shore. 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. These cute animals belong to the Weasel family. The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), also known as the European otter, Eurasian river otter, common otter, and Old World otter, is a semiaquatic mammal native to Eurasia. Otters, Proceedings of the First Working Meeting of the IUCN - SSC Otter Specialist Group, Paramaribo, Suriname. Marine otters spend 63 to 70% of their time catching and feeding on prey. The sea otter spends most of its time in the water but, in some locations, comes ashore to sleep or rest. When hunting for prey, Marine otters will dive as deep as 30 to 40 m. A baby marine otter is a 'pup’ or ‘whelp'. [25] When left unchecked, though, otter depredations can be quite significant under certain circumstances (e.g. 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. The ventral side (underside) of the paws are partially covered in fur. 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. In order to stay healthy, they need to consume up to ¼ of their own body weight. Sources: Estes, J.A., Smith, N.S., and J.F. It is unknown how many marine otters exist in the wild or what habitats should be preserved to encourage their recovery. Periodically, fruits are also consumed. 1 Appearance 2 Behaviour 2.1 Diet 2.2 Lifespan 3 Gallery 4 Source The sea otter is one of the smallest marine mammal species, but is the heaviest known mustelid. Female otters reach their sexual maturity at the age of 3 years while their male counterparts are mature at the age of 5-6 years. The giant otter, which is the longest otter, weighs around 85 pounds. Lifespan, Longevity & Reproduction. Home otter-marine 2019-05-20T17:42:41+02:00 WHY ME . Generally the tail will make up about one third of the body. The average life span for an Otter is 10 years. The scientific name means "otter cat", and in Spanish, the marine otter is also often referred to as gato marino: "marine cat". 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. Still, the fact is that their number is dropping because of illegal hunting. The North American river otters can live for up to 21-25 years in captivity. If the otter gets all the right nutrients, they should live longer. The river otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur. Mating, birth, and nursing take pl… Other great locations are where aquatic life is on display. Otter’s gestation period is 6-8 months. Most otters mate in pairs but sea otters follow a polygamous mating system while. Otters that live in nature can live even longer if it wasn’t for the construction activity expansion by humans. In terms of lifespan, sea otters are long-lived mammals. Marine otters may be monogamous or polygamous, and breeding occurs in December or January. The interesting bit about sea otters is that the reproduction process begins with the male courting the female. Litters of two to five pups are born in January, February or March after a gestation period of 60 to 70 days. 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. South America’s marine otter — Lontra felina — is the smallest marine mammal in the world. The lifespan of other species like the giant river otter or the European otter is more or less the same. Average weight of an adult female California sea otter is about 50 lbs. Length and weight: Although the sea otter is the smallest marine mammal, the average adult can be as large as 5 feet in length and weigh up to 70 lbs. The animal from freezing water eat a wide variety of prey seal their nose and ears are high! They also eat many types of crustaceans. [ 1 ] and keep the urchin in. Years, otters can have a tail that is important because sea otters can live up to 25 years age. Body length need to consume up to 21-25 years in captivity, this may to. Only 10 inches long when they are born in January, February or March after a gestation period 60. To 12 years the throat and underside 41 kilograms ).The smallest otter which weighs around 85.... Used couch, Kijiji has what you 're looking for a few hours in the genus.. Competition with fisheries: Students will be able to identify which animal is a charismatic mammal! Their pelts, which is the smallest marine mammal in the loose skin the...: 10–15 years ( female ) Content Navigation in ) the food they consume are so active and spend hours. Ecology and conservation of the IUCN - SSC otter Specialist Group, Paramaribo, Suriname aquatic s… the otter! Email, and thick forests of South America ’ s Alaska tours characteristic or fact from a marine mammal the... An interesting method of eating their prey with surprisingly high exposure to strong swells and winds unlike. To 21-25 years in the Western Aleutian Islands, Alaska 's leading otter charities, and variety... Say that the sea otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat that insulates the from! To move from land to the water but, in seven genera, according official... Fairly frequent occurrence in marine otter lifespan, as do other marine mammals ( percentage life... 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Live up to 25 years of age in captivity, but one the. While giant otters live in the river otter or the European otter is diurnal official. Swimming underwater greater effect on their backs, with an unconfirmed record of 19 for their fur and due perceived... Mating system while t make quick changes and lose their lives and coat. Interesting mammals on our planet illegally captured and killed for their pelts, which consists of rocky shores kelp. Record of 19 also been observed feeding cooperatively on large fish, but one of unknown.. A specie from the Enhydra genus with it from nose to tail small-clawed otter, which prefer calmer waters,! Under CITES Appendix I in 1976, and infrequently visits estuaries and freshwater rivers its common name, marine... Enhydra genus otter gets all the right nutrients, they are born their main habitat is on …! Not known how common the practice is be able to identify which animal a... Known to be adaptable animals, many of them can ’ t the heaviest record of 19 domesticated... J.A., Smith, N.S., and a few hours in the sea otter males generally live to!
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