River otters and sea otters also have habitat preferences in these unique ecosystems. First, sea otters are two to three times the size of river otters and, when at the water's surface, they float on their backs, while river otters swim belly down like most animals. difference between sea otter and penguin - zuvutaukai.lt Did you know that sea otters mate for life? Two out of those three species are now in decline. True seals use blubber deposits under their skin to keep themselves warm when theyre in the water, which is quite often. As their name suggests, sea otters live in the sea! Conversely, sea otters only give birth to one pup and care for them until they are between eight and twelve months old. The newborn is taken care of by the males, females, and other offspring. They have a fat layer called blubber under their skin that makes them keep themselves warm during the cold season. SeaQuest is committed to protecting our worlds oceans and endangered animals. Vote in the embedded tweets below, on Twitter with the hashtag #CPMarchSadness, or on our Facebook page. While both animals are classified as otters, river otters are members of the Lontra genus, and sea otters are members of the Enhydra genus. Whether youre sailing the coast of the Pacific Northwest or hiking the riverbanks of West Virginia, you now have the tools to tell the difference between river otters and sea otters. Most immediately noticeable is the difference in fur types river otters have short, sleek fur, while sea otters are distinctly fluffy, with long, fuzzy fur thats extremely dense and warm. If you see a vast creature, then its probably a seal and not an otter. The largest sea otters can weigh up to one hundred pounds, but river otters are much smaller. Have a question? As Natural History Museum, London ornithologist Douglas Russell and colleagues reported in a preface to Levicks belatedly-released report, this behavior is so ingrained that when a researcher set out a dead penguin that had been frozen in such a position, many males found the corpse irresistible. In a bit of weird field work, the same researcher found that just the frozen head of the penguin, with self-adhesive white Os for eye rings, propped upright on wire with a large rock for a body, was sufficient stimulus for males to copulate and deposit sperm on the rock. I fear Ive just made the Socially Awkward Penguin seem just that much more socially awkward. Keep reading to learn more about what makes each of these species unique. The identity of a pair of repeat offenders held a clue. There are 33 species of pinnipeds alive today and, they too can be found on every continent on Earth! Natural represents the world as it should besomething we feel estranged from and strive to get back. Sea otters must groom regularly to help maintain the insulation. Giant Otters are the largest otter species and are very similar to large river otters. The sea otter is the largest member of the weasel family. The average river otter only weighs 15-20 pounds, while sea otters can reach anywhere from 20-80 pounds depending on their gender and age. They are very different from other mammals that share the seals name or lineage. Conversely, river otters mate with multiple partners during the course of their lives. Both are marine mammals and have lungs that they use to breathe. The pups learn their mothers voice to avoid confusion of the mother feeding another seals pups. North American River Otter Giant Otters have a smaller lifespan in the wild at about 10 years. When they are not in the water, river otters forage the land for food and build burrows or dens for their young. Some local populations, such as Gray seals in the Baltic Sea, are endangered. In desperation, some male Adlie penguins tried to mate with the ground until they ejaculated. Sea otters have an average lifespan of 12-15 years in the wild while river otters live an average of 9-12 years. In terms of colours, seals have thick fur coats that range from pale yellow to light grey and dark brown. More commonly known as seals, they are a widely distributed and diverse group of fin-footed, semiaquatic, mostly marine mammals. Otters are mammals in the Mustelidae family. Strange as it may seem, mating is a relatively common cause of death for female sea otters as well. Asian Small-Clawed Otters have a classification of Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List while Sea and Giant Otters are listed as Endangered as of today. Their slow, quiet and sudden way. Their scientific name, Pinnipeds, says it all. River otters also can often be found on the banks of the river. Their tails alone can grow to 24 inches!. To meet the wonderful sloths that call SeaQuest home, book your visit today at any of the following locations: Utah, Las Vegas, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Sacramento, Minneapolis, Connecticut, Lynchburg, New Jersey, and Atlanta. Today, were in round two of the Sweet Sixteen, and the winners of our Fins and Flippers division are going head to head. Please try The sea otter we know is quite a bit larger in stature than the average river otter, the largest adults weighing up to 100lbs, heavier even than the largest river otter, the Giant otter (Pteroneura brasiliensis). The Caribbean monk seal was declared. This isnt where their social behavioral differences end, however. Alaska sea otters are slightly larger than . Female otters in the California region can weigh up to 60 pounds, while males can weigh up to 90 pounds. Ground squirrels, hyenas, and lions may eat infants of their own species just for a snack. About Us Search. When I'm not writing personally or professionally, you can find me camping along the Oregon coast with my high school sweetheart and Chihuahua mix, or in my home kitchen, perfecting recipes in a gleaming cast iron skillet. In contrast, sea otters actually have one layer of fur, which happens to be the densest fur of any other known animal. Sea otters often float at the water's surface in forests of kelp, or giant seaweed, and entangle themselves to keep from moving in the rolling sea. Otters fur has guard hairs on the outside layer that are used to keep them protected from moisture and to maintain body temperature. For males, the difference is also significant a southern male grows up to 70 pounds while a northern male can reach up to 100 pounds! Rhinoceros Facts Lion Facts Elephant Facts Giraffe Facts Flamingo Facts Chimpanzee Facts Penguin Facts Panda Facts Python Facts Great White Shark Facts Tiger Facts Skunk Facts Seal Facts Sea Turtle Facts Porcupine Facts Panther Facts Ostrich Facts Komodo Dragon Facts Hippopotamus Facts . They are unique sea creatures because they are the only marine mammals that can flip over rocks and boulders on the sea floor to find food. River otters and sea otters might be similar in name, but these two different classifications and populations are actually quite different in many ways, in the same way dogs have different breeds. Sorry, but we failed to add you to the list. They are comparatively larger in body size. Male seals can grow up to 6 feet in length and weigh up to 600 pounds, while otters are much smaller and typically reach up to 3 feet long and weigh between 10 and 20 pounds. Our work is focused on solving some of the greatest threats facing our ocean today. What we might perceive as aberrant behavior starts earlyespecially violence. Dolphin Coast Presented by Margaritaville by Wyndham, Beginning Environmental Leadership Program, Next Up: Sea Lion Pup Born at Georgia Aquarium, Alliance of Marine Mammals Parks & Aquariums (AMMPA), International Marine Animal Trainer's Association (IMATA). What Is The Difference Between Snow Otters And Sea Otters You might not be able to tell by looking at them, but river otters and sea otters have very different fur. Make A Lasting Impact By Leaving A Gift To Ocean Conservancy In Your Will. If you look closely at river otters, youll notice that they have short, coarse fur made up of two layers: one for keeping them warm, and another waterproof one outside of that. In the U.S. the dwarf seahorse, one-inch-long seahorse, found in seagrass beds in the Gulf of Mexico, Florida and the Caribbean, is threatened with extinction due to decline of seagrass and lingering pollution from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, according to the Center for Biological Diversity. They even have the adorable habit of floating on their backs, even while theyre eating, and have been known to hold hands with each other while sleeping so they dont drift apart from their pals! Ribbon Seals have a maximum lifespan of about 30 years, but they likely live about 20 years. Welcome back to March Sadness, ClimateProgress educational bracket tournament of animals impacted by climate change and other environmental threats. You may already have an idea as to what makes river otters and sea otters look so different from one another. Theyre both known for spending a lot of time in the water, something that is unusual for mammals that dont spend their entire lives in water. W178 CENTEX Centex Charmyland Saru Gorilla Sea Otter Walrus Penguin Sorry, but we failed to add you to the list. Unlike the common otter, sea otter's feet are webbed. Sea otters spend the majority of their time in the ocean, while river otters spend their lives on land unless they need to hunt or travel elsewhere. Hindflippers rotate underneath to allow them to walk on land, Swim underwater using foreflippers like wings of a bird, Move on land by wiggling on belly and keep hindflippers straight out, Swim by steering with foreflippers and powering with hindflippers, All pinnipeds (seals, sea lions and walruses) are protected in U.S. waters under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, according to NOAA. However, river otters prefer to eat fish, frogs, crayfish, birds, and reptiles, while sea otters enjoy sea urchins, clams, crabs, and seaweed. Additionally, river otters have a very different social structure from sea otters, often preferring solitude over a sea otters committed family structure. Additionally, sea otters spend the vast majority of their lives in the water, while river otters spend most of theirs on land, venturing into the water for tasks like hunting for food and traveling. This is primarily due to the difference in habitat, but sea otters and river otters have different diets. While sea otters and river otters share many differences, they do share a major similarity the threats they face in the wild. They have a body length of about 3 to 4 feet and weigh between 40 to 60 pounds. For example, sea lions are sometimes believed to be seals, but that is not the case. Whereas a female southern sea otter grows up to 50 pounds, a female northern sea otter can weigh up to 70 pounds. The key differences between seals and otters are size, family, and their method of thermoregulation. They are found all over the world and live in all waters both the arctic and subarctic. Seals are larger than otters, weighing a lot more than them and growing much longer. You might think an otter is an otter, but hopefully, this article showed you that while two creatures can be called otters, they are very different. Dolphins kill other marine mammals and fish just for fun and commit infanticide. Email Us, Board of Fisheries and Game: Actions & Activities, Threatened, Endangered, and Diversity Program, Alaska Resources Library and Information Services (ARLIS), About the Division of Commercial Fisheries, Western Alaska Salmon Stock Identification Program (WASSIP), Online General Season & Registration Permits, Subsistence and Personal Use Fishing Permits, CSIS Community Subsistence Information System, The Technical Papers and Special Publications Series, Special Status page for northern sea otter. Can You Eat Clownfish and How Does It Taste? Watch Five Giant River Otters Face-Off Against a Huge Jaguar, Watch a Group of Massive River Otters Defeat a Crocodile in Vicious Battle, River Otter vs Sea Otter: 5 Key Differences. While floating on their backs, sea otters not only nap, but also use rocks to help them . Seals are marine mammals in the Phocidae family. To meet the wonderful sloths that call SeaQuest home, book your visit today at any of the following locations: Best Birthday Party Places in Fort Worth! Their bodies and feet are also shaped very differently as well. Sea otters typically give birth to only one pup, and care for their young until they become independent around eight months to one year old. The Caribbean monk seal was declared extinct in 2008. The largest of the seal species, the southern elephant seal can grow up to almost 8,000 pounds and 20 feet long for adult males, while adult females are a bit smaller at 2000 pounds and 10 feet in length. Difference Between Otter And Seal - Pulptastic St. Patty's is coming Whats the difference between sea otters and river otters? A sea otter can grow to be up to 4 feet long, while a river otter only grows to be about 2.5 feet long. Otter endangered status varies by species and location. Ocean Conservancy is working with you to protect the ocean from todays greatest global challenges. A post shared by Daniel Rosengren (@naturebydanielrosengren). The Key Differences Between Seal vs Otter. Less like Flipper and more like the megalomaniacal King Snorky of The Simpsons, a dolphin has a permanent smile that gives off a decidedly creepy vibe. Levick was aghast because he viewed the penguins in human termsas little gents and dames dressed to the nines. Although both seals and otters come in various sizes due to their many species, seals are almost always larger than otters. River otters also reach sexual maturity earlier and are typically able to reproduce sooner than sea otters. Sea Otters have an average lifespan of 15-20 years but in captivity, some live over 25 years. Length of Lions Mane Jellyfish vs Blue Whale. They average around 2 feet in length and weigh around 10 pounds. Sea otters, conversely, are found only in salt water and rarely go on land. On the other hand, there are 12 different species of river otter found around the world, from the North American river otter to the Japanese river otter to the Asian small-clawed otter. With the help of donors like you, Ocean Conservancy is developing innovative solutions to save our ocean. Sea otters mate for life, as many people know, but this is not the same for river otters. Asian small-clawed otters have a body length of 30-45 cm (12-18 inches) and a tail length of 15-25 cm (6-10 inches). The maximum lifespan for male Nothern Elephant Seal is age 14; for females it is to age 20. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. Sea otters eat sea urchins, seaweed, clams, and crabs. This makes them very different animals, especially when you consider the fact that sea otters are the only members of their genus. Another motherly difference is how these two creatures care for their young. The sea otter is the "fluffiest" among these three animals. They consume around 10 lbs of food per day. Lets take a look and some similarities, and differences, between these two amazingly fascinating animals! Sea Otter: We mentioned last time that sea otters are threatened by toxic algal blooms, which are exacerbated by climate change. Many species of river otter inhabit coastal areas and are sometimes confused for sea otters. A 2010 study found that a toxin found in blue-green algae called microcystin had killed at least 21 California sea otters. Which would you like to know more about? Seals are larger than otters, weighing a lot more than them and growing much longer. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. River otter mothers care for their pups until they are between six and twelve months old. Sea otters also have thicker fur, often with white markings, while river otters have sleeker fur to match their streamlined bodies. again or contact 1.888.780.6763. River otters tend to eat frogs, fish, crayfish, reptiles, and birds. Do you think you can tell the difference if you saw them side-by-side? There are twelve different sub-species of river otter, but only three separate sub-species of the sea otter. With this insight, you should have a better grasp as to what makes both river otters and sea otters special. When comparing the sea otter vs river otter, you may wonder if they the same animal. They display sexual dimorphism. What is the difference between Otter and Seal? Well, they do. The marine creatures also serve as fighters of climate change: their main preysea urchinslike to eat kelp, so by keeping the sea urchin population at a sustainable level, they keep kelp forests lush. Its as easy as that! The seal and otter are two animals that both love to call water home and have a face that can tell a thousand stories! It may seem obvious, but if all else failsthe fastest way to tell what type of otter youre observing is to examine its environment. Your Generous Gift Will Help Us Continue To Protect Our Ocean And Its Wildlife. They spend time in the water foraging for mollusks, fish, frogs and crustaceans. For as cute as they are while intertwining paws at an aquarium, frolicking among the wafting fronds of California kelp forests, or smashing sea urchins open with stones, some sea otters have developed the disturbing habit of humping and drowning baby seals.