disturbing facts about otters

Otters (genus Lutra) hail from the subfamily of Lutrinae and are carnivorous mammals. This means. Experts estimate that fewer than 8,000 exist. They also use body language and scent marking to communicate ownership and boundaries. Otters may emigrate to find food in that case. Namely, they are extremely aggressive when they mate. But few species are violent in quite as disturbing a way as the otter. 30 . Their small heads widen to long necks and shoulders, and they have flattened, well-muscled tails. Most injuries caused by them are minor, consisting of bites and scratches that can lead to infections. To be fair, the vast majority 77 percent of the attacks the researchers analyzed involved North American river otters, and none appear to have involved sea otters. With their furry faces and charming personalities, they have captured the hearts of many. 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. This mating behavior is typically driven by the males desire to maximize his chances of passing on his genes to future generations. A trapping license and open season are required to trap river otters. 1. Otters use their dungknown as spraintto communicate with other otters. The act sometimes involves the male grabbing the female's head underwater and as the two turns and wriggle under the surface. This ancient marvel rivaled Romes intricate network of roads, For some long COVID patients, exercise is bad medicine, Radioactive dogs? Use permeable pavers and native plants in landscaping. Phone: +381 69 283 48 42 Sea otters, unlike other marine mammals, do not have a . 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. More otters -> fewer sea urchins -> more kelp -> less global warming. This ancient religion considered otters to be the dogs of the river or sea and had strict rules forbidding the killing of otters. When he's not writing or reading, Aleksandar can be found exploring the great outdoors with his trusty dog as a companion. Despite spending most of their time in the water, otters cant breathe underwater; as mammals, they need air. Otters have their cubs in underground dens called holts, which they dig themselves. All otters have webbed feet to help propel them through the water, and most species . You keep hoping that. - Diving into the Science! UC Santa Cruz, 2014. You can also contribute via. Otters can have up to one million hairs per square inch. All otters are expert hunters that eat fish, crustaceans, and other critters. That makes it about a thousand times more dense than human hair. Others believe that this behavior may be a result of human disturbances to sea otter populations, which can cause stress and impact their social behavior. 6. 2. Those efforts are admirable and valuable to the ecosystems of which otters are a part. Oh, sure they do. Sliding Behavior in Nearctic River Otters: Locomotion or Play? 5, 2020, p. 200141., doi:10.1098/rsos.200141. Fruit Fly Swarms Are Really Just Massive Orgies "Sea Otters." (Exploring the Intelligence of Lions), 11 Powerful Animals With No Natural Predators. In this article, well uncover the lesser-known, disturbing truths about otters, exploring their aggressive tendencies, complex social structures, and the impact they have on their ecosystems. 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". Furthermore, their presence in an ecosystem can indicate a healthy and balanced environment, which can have positive implications for fishing and other industries. Hairy-Nosed Otters Are a Lazarus Species, 9. These otters seem to love peat swamp forests, especially those with Melaleuca, the swamp tea-tree. "Energy Demands of Raising a Pup Push Sea Otter Moms to the Limit." Second, otters can give you H1N1, better known as "swine flu," as our friends at The Verge have reported. This cooperative behavior allows multiple individuals to share a territory and work together to maximize their chances of survival. They are the Asian small-clawed otter, African clawless otter, and Congo clawless otter. I've discovered it improves your ability to focus, it's more calming, you retain more information, and it gives you a more balanced and nuanced view of the world." #16. Otters natural habitats are regularly disrupted or destroyed due to human activities, making it harder for them to survive. They are small animals that average . Prepare to see these furry creatures in a whole new light. When a pup is small, the mother will hold it on her belly to keep it from floating away. The overall effect isn't that large, but every bit helps, and otters deserve some credit for chipping in. 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,. Although river otters are primarily responsible for these attacks (80%), sea otters can be just as dangerous incidents are more infrequent. The kelp acts like an anchor and prevents them from floating out to the open ocean. 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. 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. Otters are highly active creatures, and their meat-based diet gives them energy for all sorts of mischief. 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. You bet they do! In the downtime, though, otters love to play and will often build themselves slides along the banks of rivers. They have visible ears, swim belly down, use webbed feet to paddle, and move swiftly on land and water. "12 Facts About Sea Otters for Sea Otter Awareness Week." Aboard the St. Peter, Steller and other 18th-century explorers crash-landed on modern-day Bering Island after getting separated from its sister ship. "Whats Killing Sea Otters? shout when a threat is nearby. This air has the sometimes undesirable side effect of making them highly buoyant. Skip to the end to watch the video. Otters also have particularly stinky poop, which even has its own name: spraints. , but one wrong move and you will be hurt. At 105 min into the encounter, the sea otter released the pup, now dead, and began grooming.You read that correctly. Otter families are usually limited to pups and their mothers, and these duos will spend most of their time either feeding or sleeping. It is known as the common otter or northern river otter. Discover Their Unique Flavor Profile, The Ultimate Guide to Sea Urchin Taste: What to Expect and How to Enjoy It. Dominant males often establish themselves as the head of a group, while subordinate males may attempt to challenge the leaders position. Furthermore, the potential for disease transmission among otters and other species can complicate conservation efforts. Pennsylvania Game Commission. 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. As a result, if you ever find yourself in proximity to an otter (river or sea), back off. This suggests that the otters must first satisfy their nutritional needs before engaging in playful behaviors. 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. 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. But the last 40 years haven't consisted of unerring progress for the sea otter. Otter "holts" are small underground dens where otters escape danger, take shelter, or raise their young. When the female surfaced, the male stole her food (a clam), after which the female and pup quickly departed.The human equivalent of this is probably going to a grocery store parking lot, finding a woman coming out with a small child, and holding a gun to the kid's head until the mom gives you some of her food. River otters perform "scat dances" by stomping their hind feet and lifting their tail. 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? Lohan, Katrina and Karen McDonald. 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. Source: 14 Fascinating, Super-Disturbing Facts About The Human Body. They are also nocturnal and hunt at night. The Romans were notorious for gruesome execution methods. 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. Oceana reports, "It is thought that oil spills pose the greatest threat due to the proximity of sea otters to major tanker routes and their susceptibility to hypothermia if their fur comes into contact with oil.". While rare, injuries to humans caused by them can occur, particularly if they feel threatened or cornered. Even mothers, though, have their dark sides. Most are small, with short ears and noses, elongated bodies, long tails, and soft, dense fur. For starters, male sea otters have been known to assault and even kill seal pups. Advertisement. 1. While rare, injuries to humans caused by them can occur, highlighting the importance of respecting these wild animals and maintaining a safe distance. Or a family or a raft. They use their front paws with a dexterity that nearly rivals humans. The harbor seal moved toward the water with the sea otter following closely. They hold each others's hands. Volunteer as an otter spotter or water monitor. Interestingly, otters dont get sick when they have the flu. The forceful mating practices of otters also have implications for conservation efforts. . A group of otters in the water is most often called a raft. The presence of a healthy otter population indicates a healthy watershed. Stephens, Tim. National Geographic, 2017. The sea otter is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List, pressured by pollution, pesticides, and conflicts with fishermen who kill them for eating their fish. Allison, Mari-Lisa, et al. There are two layers of furan undercoat and then longer hairs that we can see. Royal Society Open Science, vol. River otters are not currently threatened, and are pervasive in Canada and the Pacific, Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico coastal areas in the US. 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. Occasionally an otter must grab on to a rock or some kelp to remain submerged while swimming. 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. newsletter, the fight against catastrophic climate change. That's why we keep our work free. Humans are the main predator of Otters due to hunting for their pelts. 2 hours of sleep? Even though mature sea otters weigh roughly 100 pounds, they require about 7,500 calories per day! "The saving of the sea otter," writes Glenn Vanblaricom of the University of Washington in his book on the animal, "is indeed one of the great success stories in marine conservation.". It may be tempting to try and pet the cute andfriendly otter, but one wrong move and you will be hurt. 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. Asian Small-clawed Otter (Aonyx cinereus) - Native to South China and India, and Southeast . They eat mostly aquatic organisms such as frogs, fish, turtles, insects, and some small mammals. Otters have many long, stiff sensitive hairs ('vibrassae') that frame the snout: these help the otter to locate prey. No permit is necessary; however . Mating with other species is an unusual and disturbing behavior observed in some otters, particularly sea otters. Here's what you need to know about these terrible animals, and why you should fear and hate them. These otters also have less webbing between their digits. Yes, they live in intricate social structures, with a distinct hierarchy that dictates their interactions. Don't flush hazardous chemicals or cat litter. Take a mental break with the newest Vox crossword, Sign up for the They were considered extinct until 1998 when a scientist in Thailand found small populations. Hell, Vox.com once employed its own full-time otter enthusiast. Otters have bodies that are long and slim, and have short limbs. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. As this is a new development in biology, further research is needed to determine precisely how this species started to host the virus. 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. All rights reserved, as many as a million hairs per square inch, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. River otters as a whole look quite similar to weasels. Did you know that otters hold hands while sleeping to prevent drifting apart? Sea otters are the exception, giving birth in the water. Young and old otters most often juggle rocks. Unmasking the Dark Side of Otters: Surprising and Disturbing Facts. Otters have their cubs in underground burrows, known as 'holts'. 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. Instead, researchers learned, they are more likely to juggle rocks when hungry or bored. They are generally not aggressive towards humans, but they may attack if they feel threatened or cornered, particularly if they are protecting their young or territory. Kerlin, Kat. Otter groups go by a few different monikers, all of which are fairly unique to that crew. As we delve deeper into their behavior and life in the wild, you may be surprised to learn that these seemingly adorable animals have a darker side. Male otters, known as dogs, have been observed biting the females nose during copulation to keep her in place. Please enter a valid email and try again. If you thought that otters, like beavers, eat a plant-based diet, you are mistaken. The playful North American river otter is equally at home in the water and on land. It is the longest of the otter species. Scientists hypothesize that these seemingly counterproductive mating habits might be the result of a population imbalance.

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

, The little-known history of the Florida panther. Tags 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. It's not uncommon for female otters to die as a result of these aggressive encounters, either through drowning or from their wounds becoming infected. Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, 2020. Wild Explained is the go-to source for all things related to wildlife. Otters have long been admired for their playful antics and endearing appearance. Zoroastrians would also hold ceremonies for otters found dead in the wild. 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. Can Frogs Feel Happy? Otters can hold their breath for 3-4 minutes, closing their nostrils and ears to keep out water. Therefore, sea otters are obsessive about keeping their fur clean, and groom themselves . 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. Creepy and evil otters will forcefully copulate with a corpse. European otters must eat 15% of their body weight each day, and sea otters 20 to 25%, depending on the temperature. They juggle rocks. Although they do drink some water, koalas aren't highly dependent on this resource. Here are 13 weird or interesting facts about koalas to make you love them even more. The similarities between otters and . Weve mentioned above that otters will try to mate not only with other otters but also with members of entirely different species, even if the other party is unwilling. Nature, unfortunately, isn't always pretty. 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. River otters are especially playful, gamboling on land and splashing into rivers and streams. Conservation efforts are in place to protect and preserve these species, but more is needed to ensure their long-term survival. Otters are adorable creatures that live both on land and in the water. Their nostrils and ears close to keep water out, and waterproof fur keeps them warm. Otters are adorable and cute creatures that love to play and swim together. A group of otters is called a raft, according to the San Diego Zoo. Yes, youve read that right. Forced sex. The barbs on each hair strand hold in place the air bubbles that the otters blow into their pelts while groomingwhich they can spend up to five hours doing each day. Over the course of a rough winter, he meticulously documented many species, and while some have since gone extinct (like a sea-cow he described that was hunted into extinction), the adorable otter was among his initial discoveries. IUCN Otter Specialist Group. There they exchange information via chemical cues in feces. So that aspect of otter sexuality isn't too unusual. Nonetheless, it is another reminder that you should stay away from these vicious beasts. The lifespan varies depending on the species and region. 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. It makes its home in a burrow near the water's edge, and can thrive in river, lake, swamp, or estuary ecosystems. Otters have a communal latrine area. There are so many cool facts about otters that it's no small wonder they've become a bit of an internet sensation. Resting spots, called hovers or couches, are usually little more than a bed of reeds. They're merciless hellspawn who use their intellects for great evil. 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. They will also use hollows under trees or old rabbit holes. On average, river species can live up to 8-9 years in the wild, while sea species can live up to 10-15 years. Otters will hold hands while they sleep and drift so that they don't separate! Life becomes very difficult for female otters when nurturing young pups. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Pteronura brasiliensis, 2015, doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2015-2.rlts.t18711a21938411.en, Aadrean, A., et al. Heres how paradise fought back. Rape or, as biologists usually call it, "forced copulation" is a disturbing fact of life in the animal kingdom. While this predatory behavior is a natural part of their existence, it can sometimes have detrimental effects on their ecosystems. While this predatory behavior is a natural part of their existence, it can sometimes have detrimental effects on their ecosystems. In Alaska's Aleutian Islands, the species has seen a marked decline since the 1980s. Female otters have a disproportionately higher mortality rate than males, and experts attribute this to their gruesome mating ritual. 12, no. The giant otter is an endangered species found in South America, primarily along the Amazon river and the Pantanal. Males, in particular, are known to take a female otters food by threatening to kill her baby. As a result of their rapid decline, many countries have enacted laws and regulations to protect sea otters. As the sea otter thrust his pelvis, his penis was extruded and intromission was observed. 5 Otter Facts. For the record, I'm not actually against attempts to save sea otters as a species. Source: Scientific Reasons for B.S Things Our Bodies Do. Diving into the Science! For example, they may harbor bacteria responsible for leptospirosis, a disease that can cause severe illness in both animals and humans. Educating the public about wildlife conservation and habitat protection is one of the most effective ways to promote conservation efforts. This impact on fisheries can be particularly significant in areas with already vulnerable fish populations, where otters predation can further destabilize the ecosystem. Otters also excrete something called anal jelly that contains secretions from anal glands and shed intestinal linings. People also call it North American river otter. In both cases, the male was swimming, diving, guarding, and copulating with the carcass. Otters and their mustelid relatives were once hunted extensively for their fur, many to the point of near extinction. The sea otter is the largest member of the weasel family, yet the smallest marine mammal in North America. Do not reproduce without permission. A 2011 study found 39 anecdotal reports of river otter attacks in North America, 35 of which occurred after 1980. The layers manage to trap air next to the otter's skin, which keeps the otters dry and warm and also helps with buoyancy. In 2010, veterinarian Heather Harris and her co-authors Stori Oates, Michelle Staedler, Tim Tinker, David Jessup, James Harvey, and Melissa Miller published an article in Aquatic Mammals documenting about 19 cases of sea otters attacking baby seals. Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, Copyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. explained by the vicious mating ritual. 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. Such disputes can lead to significant injuries or even death for the individuals involved. How do otters stay warm? For our furry friends, that means getting their meal by any means necessary. Google Pay. The Surprising Emotional Life of Frogs, The Ultimate Guide to Sea Urchin Taste: What to Expect and, The Mysterious Nose Scars of Female Sea Otters: Exploring. Do Otters Have Webbed Feet? However, the most jarring fact about that is that they dont care whether the animal is alive or not.

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