They rape baby seals and hold each others pups hostage for food. With his curiosity, experience, and love for the natural world, Aleksandar brings a unique perspective to his writing. Second, otters can give you H1N1, better known as "swine flu," as our friends at The Verge have reported. The area in the bay where the scientists observed the most otter-on-seal mating sessions was also where there was a high population of transient male otters, ones that, unlike more dominant males, don't have an established territory filled with potential mates. U.S. Department of the Interior. Their small heads widen to long necks and shoulders, and they have flattened, well-muscled tails. Otters are highly active creatures, and their meat-based diet gives them energy for all sorts of mischief. 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. However, the most jarring fact about that is that they dont care whether the animal is alive or not. Are Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney in love, or are they good actors? Although river otters are primarily responsible for these attacks (80%), sea otters can be just as dangerous incidents are more infrequent. Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Furthermore, the potential for disease transmission among otters and other species can complicate conservation efforts. Otter pups have so much air trapped in there, they actually cant dive under water, even if they want to. Most are small, with short ears and noses, elongated bodies, long tails, and soft, dense fur. Instead, researchers learned, they are more likely to juggle rocks when hungry or bored. Once thought to be gone from the area completely, southern sea ottersknown as California sea ottershave been making a comeback in recent years. They bite their female partner's face during copulation to keep her from slipping away, leaving her with substantial facial wounds. As a result, if you ever find yourself in proximity to an otter (river or sea), back off. Volunteer as an otter spotter or water monitor. The charismatic otter, a member of the weasel family, is found on every continent except Australia and Antarctica. As it turns out, otters can be quite evil. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. There are 13 species in total, ranging from the small-clawed otter to the giant otter. To save chestnut trees, we may have to play God, Why you should add native plants to your garden, What you can do right now to advocate for the planet, Why poison ivy is an unlikely climate change winner. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. These otters seem to love peat swamp forests, especially those with Melaleuca, the swamp tea-tree. 2, 2005, pp. In particular, it is well known that sea otters will force themselves on baby seals. Like many animals, otters sometimes behave in ways that aren't exactly within the bounds of what humans would consider morally acceptable. Compared to river otters, sea otters have an average size of 39.6-49.3 in (100.5-125.2 cm), making both the animals similar in size. International Otter Survival Fund. Weight: 11 to 30 pounds. Such disputes can lead to significant injuries or even death for the individuals involved. Yes, youve read that right. 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. There has been at least one report of a male otter copulating and swimming with deceased female otters. German zoologist and botanist Georg Wilhelm Steller was the first to scientifically describe numerous new animals on the 1741 explorative voyage from Russia. Kerlin, Kat. Regardless of the reasons behind this behavior, the impacts on the ecosystems are significant. "The Fantastic Fur of Sea Otters." While otters appear to be friendly and docile, they can become extremely aggressive when defending their territory or their younglings. 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. At Vox, we believe that everyone deserves access to information that helps them understand and shape the world they live in. Most are small, with short ears and noses, elongated bodies, long tails, and. Despite their innocent appearance, these animals are known for doing pretty disturbing stuff. Zoroastrians would also hold ceremonies for otters found dead in the wild. That thick coat is needed because otters are the only marine mammal without a blubber layer for insulation. Advertisement. Did you know that otters hold hands while sleeping to prevent drifting apart? Please enter a valid email and try again. Scientists suspect otters may even be able to determine the sex, age, and reproductive status of the spraint dropper just from a quick whiff. For example, the introduction of non-native otters to a region can lead to a decline in local fish populations, causing an imbalance in the food chain. River otters are frequently mistaken for sea otters. That amount of calories is insane because that is three times what an average human needs. This semiaquatic mammal has the weight of 11 to 30.9 lb or 5 to 14 kilograms. 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. They like to slide off. Copyright 2023 NATURE WORLD NEWS All rights reserved. These efforts include re-introduction programs aimed at bringing them back to their native habitats and increasing their numbers in the wild. A varied diet It's no surprise that otters love fish, but they're also partial to amphibians, turtles and crayfish. When faced with a threat, they wont hesitate to use their powerful teeth and strong jaws to inflict serious injury. Otter "holts" are small underground dens where otters escape danger, take shelter, or raise their young. They have webbed feet and the ability to close their nose and ears underwater.Twelve out of thirteen otter species are in decline. What's weirder are a) otters's tendencies to menace baby seals, b) the fact that male otters kill an awful lot of the female otters with whom they copulate, and c) the necrophilia. Furthermore, their presence in an ecosystem can indicate a healthy and balanced environment, which can have positive implications for fishing and other industries. These otters also have less webbing between their digits. Carnivore. "Whats Killing Sea Otters? ", 5. Despite regulations designed to protect them, many species remain at risk from pollution and habitat loss. Here are four essential facts about sea otters: They're the largest member of the weasel family Mustelidae, a family of fur-bearing mammals that includes everything from weasels to honey. When it comes to otters, educating people about their unique place in the environment and how their presence is essential for healthy ecosystems is key. Thirteen otter species slide down riverbanks, juggle rocks, and float on their backs in watersheds on five continents. Life becomes very difficult for female otters when nurturing young pups. We accept credit card, Apple Pay, and Hairy-Nosed Otters Are a Lazarus Species, 9. The mammals like to keep things organized within their communities and will designate certain areas to be used as latrines. Despite spending most of their time in the water, #4 Otters Will Force Themselves on Other Animals. "Why are otters playful?" Absolutely, many gentle mammals are carnivores including your pet cat! Prepare to see these furry creatures in a whole new light. A Eurasian river otter mother relaxes with with her two seven-month-old cubs on a shoreline in Shetland, U.K. Dolphins Humans are the main predator of Otters due to hunting for their pelts. When its time to nap, sea otters entangle themselves in kelp so they dont float away. In Brazil's Pantanal, we get the rare opportunity to film a family of rare and elusive giant otters. They rely on all that fur to trap a layer of air against the surface of their skin, and their fur is perfectly designed to do so because it's dense and spiky. In addition to their unexpected ferocity when defending their territory, they also exhibit unique territorial behavior. 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. Wild Explained is the go-to source for all things related to wildlife. These furry creatures eat meat, such as fish,frogs, birds, and even mammals. Scientists hypothesize that these seemingly counterproductive mating habits might be the result of a population imbalance. Please be respectful of copyright. A cat parasite called toxoplasmosis also poses a threat to these creatures. Of the 13 species of otter, IUCN lists five as endangered, five as near-threatened, and two as vulnerable. Theres no doubt that otters are cute animals. In areas where otter populations are declining, conservationists may attempt to introduce new individuals to bolster the population. It was thought that otters helped keep water purified by. 6. Otters (genus Lutra) hail from the subfamily of Lutrinae and are carnivorous mammals. Mating with other species is an unusual and disturbing behavior observed in some otters, particularly sea otters. And, according to a study published in Emerging and . 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. Otters are mammals of the subfamily Lutrinae, one of two subfamilies contained within the family Mustelidae. Though most live in freshwater rivers, lakes, and wetlands, the sea otter and the smaller marine otter are found in the Pacific Ocean. It isnt surprising, given that they need to eat around 15% of their body weight daily to survive. 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. River otters dont breed until theyre at least five years old. These furry creatures eat meat, such as fish, frogs, birds, and even mammals. It makes its home in a burrow near the water's edge, and can thrive in river, lake, swamp, or estuary ecosystems. Otters have been known to guard and have sex with the bodies of their victims for up to seven days after they've died. You keep hoping that. In addition, several international conventions and protocols have been developed over time to help protect these creatures from extinction. Sea otters live exclusively in the ocean along coastlines. Their fur is super dense. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Hairy-nosed Otter, 2015, doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2015-2.rlts.t12421a21936999.en. "Hairy Nosed Otter." As the sea otter thrust his pelvis, his penis was extruded and intromission was observed. In Alaska's Aleutian Islands, the species has seen a marked decline since the 1980s. The biggest threats to hairy-nosed otters are poaching and habitat loss from wildfires, dam construction, and clearing swamp forests for oil palm plantations and fish farms. In 2001, a female otter at the Monterey Bay Aquarium gave birth to a stillborn pup on the same day a stranded pup was discovered in the wild nearby. Advertisement. Otters have a communal latrine area. Giant River Otters Live Up to Their Name, 6. Resting spots, called hovers or couches, are usually little more than a bed of reeds. Surprisingly, an intriguing fact that distinguishes these creatures is their distinctive nature to live as aquatics and . 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. This provides everyone with easy access to information that they can use to become more informed on natural systems and conservation efforts. In such cases, medical attention is necessary to prevent infection and ensure proper wound healing. Nope, they are horrific menaces to other species. While the governments of the US, Canada, Japan, and Russia signed a treaty banning the hunting of sea otters, it took the Endangered Species Act under which sea otters gained protection in 1977 for a recovery to begin in earnest. "Energy Demands of Raising a Pup Push Sea Otter Moms to the Limit." "12 Facts About Sea Otters for Sea Otter Awareness Week." The kelp acts like an anchor and prevents them from floating out to the open ocean. This behavior can result in severe injuries to the female otter and can even lead to death in extreme cases. A decent share of the attacking otters have been rabid; in the '90s, 46 percent of otter attacks involved rabies, and in the '00s, 24 percent did. All otter species appear on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and only one is listed as "least concern." Komala - Generation VII. Those efforts are admirable and valuable to the ecosystems of which otters are a part. Don't flush hazardous chemicals or cat litter. But maybe the most disturbing fact about otters is that they are known to "mate" with deceased animals. 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. Interestingly, they have been known to engage in communal living, particularly in areas with abundant food sources. 12 Cool Animals That Crawl (Crawl Speed & Pictures), What Eats Leopards (Top 5 Leopard Predators), Are Lions Smart? Otters have as many as 2.6 million hairs per square inch. Only the North American river otter is a species of least concern. Concealed beneath those button noses and fluffy fur lies a creature with some really frightening mating habits. What we didnt mention, though, is thatotters can infect humans with the H1N1 virus. Forced interspecies sex. Nature, unfortunately, isn't always pretty. A river otter has a long, stream-lined body, short legs, and webbed feet. 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. River otters have webbing between their toes to aid them as well. With their furry faces and charming personalities, they have captured the hearts of many. Oops. This high demand leaves otter mothers depleted, and many die from minor illnesses. Mothers groom pups and blow air into the clean coat to create buoyancy. For the record, I'm not actually against attempts to save sea otters as a species. Most of us could spend an entire day scrolling through cute otter videos on social media. Among the endangered are the sea otters along the Californian to Alaskan coasts, which are threatened by "environmental pollutants and disease agents." These conflicts are a sobering reminder of the brutality of the natural world and the lengths to which animals will go to protect their resources. Indeed, trauma is the norm from sea otter mating, not the exception. A group of otters is called a raft, according to the San Diego Zoo. Otters sometimes rape baby seals. Most otter species come ashore to give birth in dens, which sometimes have been used by other animals such as beavers. Otter families are usually limited to pups and their mothers, and these duos will spend most of their time either feeding or sleeping. March 28, 2023 by Wilson Singleton. Or, she might rely on human resources and otter ingenuity to find a makeshift "playpen" for her pup. In Bangladesh, otters help fisherman maximize their haul. Furthermore, they are also threatened by poaching and overfishing. Ten months later, this same male was observed with the carcass of another female sea otter. This ancient marvel rivaled Romes intricate network of roads, For some long COVID patients, exercise is bad medicine, Radioactive dogs? 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. For example, otters have been known to kill and eat kittens, and they have also been known to attack and kill humans. Male otters' mating techniques are violent. 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. These furry creatures eat meat, such as fish, disproportionately higher rates of fatality. Something went wrong. Predatory behavior towards non-prey species can lead to imbalances in the food chain and can cause unintended consequences for other species in the ecosystem. This cooperative behavior allows multiple individuals to share a territory and work together to maximize their chances of survival.

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