They eat up to 9 pounds of food in a day and their sharp teeth and powerful tail let them swim fast when they are hunting and can even confront caiman or other enormousAmazon creatures if the need arises. Sea otters are the exception, giving birth in the water. Young pups are born helpless, and remain in the . Even if you find them otherwise adorable, otters' mating habits will no doubt make your stomach turn. While these modifications are essential for otter survival, they can have negative consequences for other species that rely on the same habitat. 21 Disturbing Facts You Never Wanted To Know About Animals You bet they do! They tuck prey into pockets of loose skin under their arms and use rocks as tools to open shellfish. The charismatic otter, a member of the weasel family, is found on every continent except Australia and Antarctica. Meet the world's newest H1N1 flu carrier: the sea otter Their small heads widen to long necks and shoulders, and they have flattened, well-muscled tails. This combination allows them to have greater nimbleness when foraging. U.S. Department of the Interior. Otters are often elusive, with large ranges and nocturnal behaviour making spotting them a rare and wonderful experience. 28 . There are two layers of furan undercoat and then longer hairs that we can see. In Brazil's Pantanal, we get the rare opportunity to film a family of rare and elusive giant otters. Their construction activities can lead to the erosion of riverbanks, the destruction of vegetation, and the alteration of water flow in the surrounding area. STDs are at a shocking high. 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. 6 Reasons Why Otters Are Evil #1 Otters are Voracious Carnivores This may not surprise those who know the animal well, but it's important to note that otters are carnivores. Mating with other species is an unusual and disturbing behavior observed in some otters, particularly sea otters. As a result, conservation efforts have been put in place to help protect these animals. Only the North American river otter is a species of least concern. These furry creatures eat meat, such as fish, frogs, birds, and even mammals. But the last 40 years haven't consisted of unerring progress for the sea otter. "Hairy-nosed Otter." Mothers spend up to 14 hours per day foraging to support a pup's intense nutrition needs. A version of this story originally ran in 2015. 2. Moreover, increased conservation efforts are needed in order to monitor population numbers, reduce polluting activities and stop activities that destroy their habitats. 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. When food is hard to obtain, sea otter mothers will abandon their young and leave them to starve to death. On top of that, pups have 11 of their own calls that they intersperse with "infant babbling." Otters are part of the Mustelidae family, which is a family of carnivorous mammals that includes skunks, weasels, wolverines, and badgers. All otter species appear on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and only one is listed as "least concern." 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. Though most live in freshwater rivers, lakes, and wetlands, the sea otter and the smaller marine otter are found in the Pacific Ocean. Unmasking the Dark Side of Otters: Surprising and Disturbing Facts They generally forage in the water, but they can also hunt on land. Otter groups are called a family, bevy, lodge, or a romp. As a sometimes aquatic creature, it shouldn't be a surprise that otters can swim up to seven miles per hour and dive down 60 feet. Otter groups go by a few different monikers, all of which are fairly unique to that crew. Some otters even die after intercourse from trauma. Who buys lion bones? However, there are three species of otter that have blunt claws or none at all. No permit is necessary; however . Sometimes river otters will travel between 10 and 18 miles (16 and 29 km) in search of food. "River Otter, Wildlife Note." Yes, as they build their dens, they can cause significant changes to their environment. Asian Small-clawed Otter (Aonyx cinereus) - Native to South China and India, and Southeast . Please enter a valid email and try again. Here's how biologists Heidi Pearson and Randall Davis describe it: A male approached a pup floating on the surface while its mother was diving for food. 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. A Eurasian river otter mother relaxes with with her two seven-month-old cubs on a shoreline in Shetland, U.K. From their aggressive behavior to their complex social structures and potential impacts on ecosystems, these fascinating creatures demonstrate that the natural world is full of surprises, both delightful and disturbing. Although river otters are primarily responsible for these attacks (80%), sea otters can be just as dangerous incidents are more infrequent. She wraps the pup with kelp to anchor it while she hunts. While this predatory behavior is a natural part of their existence, it can sometimes have detrimental effects on their ecosystems. Google Pay. All rights reserved, as many as a million hairs per square inch, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. A 2011 study found 39 anecdotal reports of river otter attacks in North America, 35 of which occurred after 1980. Male sea otters typically grasp the female from behind and bite her face, and this rough. River otters have webbing between their toes to aid them as well. Otter "holts" are small underground dens where otters escape danger, take shelter, or raise their young. Are female otters the only species that males try to copulate with? This territorial marking is essential for maintaining the social hierarchy within their group and preventing conflicts with other otters. Interestingly, otters dont get sick when they have the flu. To prevent injuries caused by otters, it is important to avoid approaching them or their dens, particularly during breeding season when they may be more aggressive. Why Are Otters Evil? (6 Disturbing Facts About Otters) Pretty wicked! Since 1875 a study discovered that there have been 39 cases of anecdote attacks on humans announced in newspapers, and four recorded in scientific. Otters have some interesting relatives. 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. This means. European otter | The Wildlife Trusts Few animals play as adults, and otters are one of them. "12 Facts About Sea Otters for Sea Otter Awareness Week." Uniquely Koala: 13 Weird Facts about Koalas The Koala Mom On Nov. 25, 2019, comedian . Some Hold Hands While Sleeping. Additionally, some commercial fishing operations may see them as a direct threat to their livelihoods, leading to calls for population control or even eradication. And weve reached the most disturbing fact about these adorable creatures. This semiaquatic mammal has the weight of 11 to 30.9 lb or 5 to 14 kilograms. They mark their territory with scent glands located near their tails, communicating ownership and boundaries to other otters. Second, otters can give you H1N1, better known as "swine flu," as our friends at The Verge have reported. In detail, the male otter will bite down the female otters nose as the ritual begins causing physical injuries. 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. And, according to a study published in Emerging and . Their droppings are known as spraints and can be identified by an odour that is said to range from musky mown hay to jasmine tea to rotting fish. However, this behavior can also result in conflicts with rival males and female otters, further highlighting the complexities of otter social structures. They involve the reintroduction of captive-bred adult otters into carefully selected and monitored habitats that offer suitable conditions such as prey availability, the presence of suitable dens for accommodation, predator presence, and levels of toxic pollutants. Only one otter species seems to be thriving, and that's the North American River Otter. As with all wildlife, it is essential to strike a balance between admiration and respect, acknowledging the complexities of the natural world and the creatures that inhabit it. 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. When its time to nap, sea otters entangle themselves in kelp so they dont float away. A sea otter will float on its back, place a rock on its chest, then smash the mollusk down on it until it breaks open. Some tribes consider the otter to be a lucky animal and a symbol of "loyalty and honesty." This adds an additional layer of complexity to the already challenging task of maintaining balanced ecosystems. 15 Fascinating Facts About Otters Size: Head and body: 21.75 to 31.5 inches; tail: 11.75 to 19.75 inches. Sea otters live exclusively in the ocean along coastlines. Sea otters are also among the most ravenous animals. Otters are adorable and cute creatures that love to play and swim together. 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. Hell, Vox.com once employed its own full-time otter enthusiast. Encyclopedia of Ocean Sciences, edited by John H. Steele, Second Edition, 2008, pp. 30 Of The Weirdest And The Most Disturbing Facts From Known History The biological name is Lontra Canadensis. Unfortunately the number of tea-trees is diminishing. Many species of river and sea otters are . They do it all on their own, with no help from the fathers. The other, Mustelinae, includes badgers, weasels, and ferrets, among other similar mammals. Unfortunately, it gets worse. Royal Society Open Science, vol. Otters' big appetites protect kelp forests by eating sea urchins. This mating behavior is typically driven by the males desire to maximize his chances of passing on his genes to future generations. The sea otter and pup rolled violently in the water for approximately 15 min, while the pup struggled to free itself from the sea otters grasp. But few species are violent in quite as disturbing a way as the otter. Thirteen otter species slide down riverbanks, juggle rocks, and float on their backs in watersheds on five continents. In areas where otter populations are declining, conservationists may attempt to introduce new individuals to bolster the population. Are Otters Dangerous? - AZ Animals The harbor seal moved toward the water with the sea otter following closely. While they hunt for food underwater, theyll often store a rock in the skin under their arms for later use. Mothers groom pups and blow air into the clean coat to create buoyancy. Also Read:Smart Animals: Sea Otters Used Tools Even Before Dolphins and Humans Did, Study Says. Pennsylvania Game Commission. Otters will hold hands while they sleep and drift so that they don't separate! newsletter, the fight against catastrophic climate change. German zoologist and botanist Georg Wilhelm Steller was the first to scientifically describe numerous new animals on the 1741 explorative voyage from Russia. They can act as carriers of various parasites and pathogens, highlighting the potential risks associated with close interactions between humans and wildlife. While rare, injuries to humans caused by them can occur, particularly if they feel threatened or cornered. These holts can be found along riverbanks, among tree roots, under branches, brush, or boulders. Scientists hypothesize that these seemingly counterproductive mating habits might be the result of a population imbalance. The sea otter must consume between 25 and 40 percent of its body weight daily, just to keep warm. You keep hoping that. Otters have their cubs in underground burrows, known as 'holts'. They are often mistaken for beavers though. 5 Disturbing Facts About Sea Otters: They're Not as Cuddly as They Seem They live mainly on land that is very close to bodies of water. River otters line their dens with leaves, moss, and grass. Baby otters, called pups or kittens, stay with their mothers until theyre up to a year old, or until she has another litter. Otters are making themselves at home in UK cities Unmasking the Dark Side of Otters: Surprising and Disturbing Facts. Support our mission and help keep Vox free for all by making a financial contribution to Vox today. Use permeable pavers and native plants in landscaping. Spraint scents can vary, but often are (relatively) pleasantone expert described them as not "dissimilar to jasmine tea." They then leave droppings called spraints, which refer to a single bowel evacuation and that researchers describe as smelling like violets. As the sea otter thrust his pelvis, his penis was extruded and intromission was observed. In . 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. This rediscovery, after presumed extinction, makes them a Lazarus species. North American River Otter | National Geographic Do Sea Otters Rape Baby Seals? | Snopes.com It was thought that otters helped keep water purified by eating already dead creatures that might contaminate the water source if they were allowed to rot. Without sea otters, the urchin population booms and destroys the kelp forest habitat. Otters are animals with thick fur that helps them float in the water; Otters often use rocks to crack open food; The male otter bites the female when they are breeding; While eating and resting otters often hold hands; Types of Otters. Indeed, trauma is the norm from sea otter mating, not the exception. Although experts say otter attacks on humans are infrequent, there are a number of recorded occurrences. Did you know that otters hold hands while sleeping to prevent drifting apart? Otters are often thought of as cute, cuddly creatures, but there are some disturbing facts about these animals that many people don't know. They also take over the riverbank dens of foxes, badgers, and rabbits. For example, the United States has The Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 which protects the from any type of hunting or trapping. Furthermore, the potential for disease transmission among otters and other species can complicate conservation efforts. March 28, 2023 by Wilson Singleton. People love otters. Otters and their mustelid relatives were once hunted extensively for their fur, many to the point of near extinction. Otters reach swim speeds of up to 7 miles per hour. 6 Meanest Animals in the World (Disturbing Facts) In the absence of females of their own kind, then, they turned their typical sexual responses toward the seals. 30 . While otters appear to be friendly and docile, they can become extremely aggressive when defending their territory or their younglings. And since otters have superb metabolisms and can easily eat up to 15 percent of their body weight each day, there's a lot of spraint to go around. They live in intricate social structures, with a distinct hierarchy that dictates their interactions. The fight to make it harder for landlords to evict their tenants, On Succession, Sisyphus rolls the rock uphill, Ecuadors political instability, explained, In Sudan, the US government finally begins evacuating its citizens. After raping a baby seal to death, this psycho licked his paws, like Hannibal Lecter or something. 6. Tags "North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis): A Technical Conservation Assessment." Source: Scientific Reasons for B.S Things Our Bodies Do. The male of this species tends to be larger than the females. Otters have been around for at least 5 million years. The latter is the most common term for a group of otters on land. Theres no doubt that otters are cute animals. U.S.D.A. In 2014, the US Geological Survey (USGS) released a study of northern sea otters living close to Washington who were discovered to have possessed H1N1 virus (swine flu) throughout a large number of their population. 5 Otter Facts. Even though mature sea otters weigh roughly 100 pounds, they require about 7,500 calories per day! Wisconsin River Otter Name: River Otters Scientific Name: Lutra canadensis Measurements: length: 2-4ft, weight: 44-82lbs, tail length: 1-1.5ft Habitat: anywhere near water The otter has a lithe and slender body with short legs, a strong neck, and a long flattened tail that helps propel the animal gracefully through water. Source: 14 Fascinating, Super-Disturbing Facts About The Human Body. River otters are common and of "least concern" in California, but are threatened or endangered in some other states . Learn 15 more facts about these fascinating mammals. These furry creatures eat meat, such as fish,frogs, birds, and even mammals. For starters, male sea otters have been known to assault and even kill seal pups. Hefty appetites aren't unique to giant otters: All otters eat 20-33% of their body weight each day. These otters also have less webbing between their digits. This pace is three times faster than the average human swimmer. Sliding Behavior in Nearctic River Otters: Locomotion or Play?Northeastern Naturalist, vol. As otters build their dens, they can cause significant changes to their environment. Clean fluffy fur keeps them warm and traps air, which allows them to float. Like many animals, otters sometimes behave in ways that aren't exactly within the bounds of what humans would consider morally acceptable. 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. Experts estimate that fewer than 8,000 exist. As avid animal lovers, our goal is to use our knowledge and passion to deliver accurate and reliable information about various topics related to wild animals. Sea otters, particularly mothers and pups, sometimes hold hands while floating on their backs. The aquarium staff had previously tried raising pups themselves but found that hand-raised otters became too attached to humans to be released back into the wild. It's been reported in primates like orangutans and chimpanzees, bottlenose. 21 Disturbing Facts You Never Wanted To Know About Animals By Mark Hand September 8, 2017 Nature can be beautiful, but sometimes if you take a moment to scratch just below the surface what you'll find might disgust you. It was thought that otters helped keep water purified by. Otters love to sunbath during the day and they are very active at night. They mark their territory with scent glands located near their tails, communicating ownership and boundaries to other otters. In the Aborigine language, the word "koala" actually means no water. A 2010 paper talked about 19 cases, including a particularly gruesome instance where a sea otter bit a pup's face, held it underwater, and copulated with it for over an hour until it died. If weve learned anything until this point, otters are eviler than they seem. 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 . Some cultures even forbid eating the creatures and were offended when colonial Europeans began hunting the river otters and selling their furs. 12 Facts About Otters for Sea Otter Awareness Week The Drivers and Functions of Rock Juggling in Otters, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. River otters are frequently mistaken for sea otters. In the downtime, though, otters love to play and will often build themselves slides along the banks of rivers. And I guess I get the appeal. Spraint composition is unique to each otter, and the creatures can identify each other by the smells. Sea otters, unlike other marine mammals, do not have a . What we didnt mention, though, is thatotters can infect humans with the H1N1 virus. otters can infect humans with the H1N1 virus. Otters sometimes take up residence in abandoned beaver lodges or muskrat dens. Among fluffy kittens and puppies with big eyes, one of Earth's most adorable animals is frequently said to be the cuddly small otter. Otter pups have so much air trapped in there, they actually cant dive under water, even if they want to. Facts about Otters - BioExpedition As natural predators of fish, they can consume significant quantities of fish, causing a decline in available stocks and potentially leading to economic losses for local fishing communities. Four Facts About Sea Otters That Might Surprise You This impact on fisheries can be particularly significant in areas with already vulnerable fish populations, where otters predation can further destabilize the ecosystem. They love to chow down! Depending on how hungry they are and how much they have access to food, otters arent too picky with their meals! you cant distinguish between healthy and infected otters, making them even more dangerous. If you thought that otters, like beavers, eat a plant-based diet, you are mistaken. Most injuries caused by them are minor, consisting of bites and scratches that can lead to infections. 99 Creepy And Disturbing Facts That Will Scare You - Diving into the Science! They can also dive up to 300 feet in search of food. How this animal can survive is a mystery. . Threats also include habitat degradation, pesticides, and pollution from mining. Fun North American River Otter Facts For Kids | Kidadl . Facing a lack of female partners, male otters may be engaging in what researchers call "misdirected sexual activity." Koalas don't drink water. This ancient marvel rivaled Romes intricate network of roads, For some long COVID patients, exercise is bad medicine, Radioactive dogs? Scientists suspect otters may even be able to determine the sex, age, and reproductive status of the spraint dropper just from a quick whiff. Because of their high metabolic rates, as was already mentioned, these creatures require a lot of food and will use whatever methods are needed to get it. Life becomes very difficult for female otters when nurturing young pups. A trapping license and open season are required to trap river otters. Two species .
