Keeping an eye on otters in the wild is a tricky task. Source: 14 Fascinating, Super-Disturbing Facts About The Human Body. March 28, 2023 by Wilson Singleton. They do it all on their own, with no help from the fathers. Sea otters don't just have the densest fur of all ottersthey have the densest fur of all animals. Dolphins 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. "The Fantastic Fur of Sea Otters." Why Are Otters Evil? (6 Disturbing Facts About Otters) For example, they may harbor bacteria responsible for leptospirosis, a disease that can cause severe illness in both animals and humans. 15 Fascinating Facts About Otters. They are also nocturnal and hunt at night. Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. When he's not writing or reading, Aleksandar can be found exploring the great outdoors with his trusty dog as a companion. 2023 NatureWorldNews.com All rights reserved. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Sometimes, they will also force the females head underwater. All rights reserved. Unfortunately the number of tea-trees is diminishing. Now, just because an animal is a carnivore doesnt mean its evil, right? Charismatic otters are the largest members of the weasel family. 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. Finally, the sea otter positioned itself dorsal to the pup's smaller body while grasping it by the head and holding it underwater in a position typical of mating sea otters. While rare, injuries to humans caused by them can occur, highlighting the importance of respecting these wild animals and maintaining a safe distance. Uniquely Koala: 13 Weird Facts about Koalas The Koala Mom Perhaps the worst (alleged) method was called scaphism, in which a person was force-fed, and covered in, milk and honey, put in a swamp,. Scientists hypothesize that these seemingly counterproductive mating habits might be the result of a population imbalance. Sea otters nearly went extinct in the early 1900s because of the fur trade. 5 Disturbing Facts About Sea Otters: They're Not as Cuddly as They Seem The forceful mating practices of otters also have implications for conservation efforts. In the downtime, though, otters love to play and will often build themselves slides along the banks of rivers. These efforts include re-introduction programs aimed at bringing them back to their native habitats and increasing their numbers in the wild. 29 . 2 hours of sleep? "A Keystone Species, The Sea Otter, Colonizes Glacier Bay." A version of this story originally ran in 2015. The aquarium has since devised a system of hand-rearing pups for the first six to eight weeksmostly for bottle feeding purposesbefore handing the pups off to female otters for raising. Otter "holts" are small underground dens where otters escape danger, take shelter, or raise their young. Like many animals, otters sometimes behave in ways that aren't exactly within the bounds of what humans would consider morally acceptable. But you can bank on the fact that there is an otter somewhere in a river near you if you live in Britain - a remarkable success story for a species driven to extinction in many parts of the country just decades ago. Sampling along the coast of Washington State found more than 70 percent of otters there tested positive for H1N1. (Exploring the Intelligence of Lions), 11 Powerful Animals With No Natural Predators. 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. Among the most notable calls: a "hum gradation" used to tell otters to change directions and a "Hah!" 2. They are the smallest marine mammals on earth, but they consume about a quarter of their own body mass daily and most of the energy is used just to keep their little otter bodies warm. Weight: 11 to 30 pounds. Baby otters usually are called pups. Sliding Behavior in Nearctic River Otters: Locomotion or Play? 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? Most species hunt for three to five hours each day and nursing mothers up to eight hours each day. What we didnt mention, though, is thatotters can infect humans with the H1N1 virus. 11 Adorable Facts about Otters - Fact City One of the most disturbing facts about otters is their status on the endangered species act list. Researchers found that playful sliding on a riverbank was not just efficient locomotion, but play. One sea otter off the coast of British Columbia apparently raped and murdered a dog. While rare, injuries to humans caused by them can occur, particularly if they feel threatened or cornered. 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. Otters guide: how to identify and species facts | BBC Wildlife Magazine Otters Are Not Here For Your Cute Memes - They're Bloodthirsty Terrorists 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. Sea otters, particularly mothers and pups, sometimes hold hands while floating on their backs. Interestingly, otters dont get sick when they have the flu. But few species are violent in quite as disturbing a way as the otter. Learn 15 more facts about these fascinating mammals. Yeah, that's right. A trapping license and open season are required to trap river otters. Rape or, as biologists usually call it, "forced copulation" is a disturbing fact of life in the animal kingdom. These otters also have less webbing between their digits. Since 1875 a study discovered that there have been 39 cases of anecdote attacks on humans announced in newspapers, and four recorded in scientific. Theyll keep baby otters underwater until females give them their food. Find out if you are a sea otter specialist by checking your info against these fascinating sea otter facts. As this is a new development in biology, further research is needed to determine precisely how this species started to host the virus. Generally the tail will make up about one third of the body. Despite spending most of their time in the water, otters cant breathe underwater; as mammals, they need air. For our furry friends, that means getting their meal by any means necessary. Cassidy, Josh. U.S. Department of the Interior. At six months, the pups are released back into the wild with generally strong results. Hand-holding keeps the otters from drifting away from each other and their food source while they sleep. 1. 28 . 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. This provides everyone with easy access to information that they can use to become more informed on natural systems and conservation efforts. It shouldnt be surprising to learn that otters will force themselves on other animals. Otters: the violent, necrophiliac, serial-killing fur monsters of the 18 Otter Facts From the Playful to Slightly Bizarre In some cases, otters may consume invasive species that are harmful to the ecosystem, potentially benefiting the fishing industry in the long run. Most are small, with short ears and noses, elongated bodies, long tails, and. Creepy Facts About Animals That Will Keep You Up At Night Additionally, some commercial fishing operations may see them as a direct threat to their livelihoods, leading to calls for population control or even eradication. The playful North American river otter is equally at home in the water and on land. For years, questions about sea otters' alleged propensity toward cross-species sexual violence have passed through Snopes' inbox. Unmasking the Dark Side of Otters: Surprising and Disturbing Facts, What Do Sea Grapes Taste Like? Community outreach can also be an invaluable resource when it comes to engaging people around meaningful conversation efforts for threatened species like otters. 15 Fascinating Facts About Otters Hefty appetites aren't unique to giant otters: All otters eat 20-33% of their body weight each day. The sea otter must consume between 25 and 40 percent of its body weight daily, just to keep warm. All otters have webbed feet to help propel them through the water, and most species . Encyclopedia of Ocean Sciences, edited by John H. Steele, Second Edition, 2008, pp. Otters have webbed feet and claws - for swimming underwater. Sea Otters Eat 25 Percent of Their Body Weight Every Day. Introduction to Otters. 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. Scientists suspect otters may even be able to determine the sex, age, and reproductive status of the spraint dropper just from a quick whiff. 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. Instead, researchers learned, they are more likely to juggle rocks when hungry or bored. Most of us could spend an entire day scrolling through cute otter videos on social media. In this post, well talk about why otters are evil and why they arent the cuddlers they appear to be. The average size of a North American river otter is around 35-51.1 in (88.9-129.7 cm). If you thought that these are the worst disturbing facts about otters, youd be mistaken were just getting started with the absolute worst these animals do. River otters have webbing between their toes to aid them as well. Otters are adorable and cute creatures that love to play and swim together. This pace is three times faster than the average human swimmer. They have webbed feet and the ability to close their nose and ears underwater.Twelve out of thirteen otter species are in decline. It underscores the importance of maintaining a safe distance from wild animals and avoiding contact with their feces or bodily fluids, which can harbor disease-causing pathogens. The reasons behind this behavior are not entirely clear, but scientists believe it may be linked to the sea otters aggressive mating practices with females. In addition, several international conventions and protocols have been developed over time to help protect these creatures from extinction. Does eating close to bedtime make you gain weight? The kelp acts like an anchor and prevents them from floating out to the open ocean. With their furry faces and charming personalities, they have captured the hearts of many. 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.". 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. They gorge on more than 100 different prey species. Two species . 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. Otters are adorable creatures that live both on land and in the water. . The overall effect isn't that large, but every bit helps, and otters deserve some credit for chipping in. In Bangladesh, otters help fisherman maximize their haul. 10 Facts about River Otters | Facts of World 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. 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 They can also be harmed by entanglement with ghost nets and other rogue fishing gear. Otters have been around for at least 5 million years. In Brazil's Pantanal, we get the rare opportunity to film a family of rare and elusive giant otters. Though most live in freshwater rivers, lakes, and wetlands, the sea otter and the smaller marine otter are found in the Pacific Ocean. You bet they do! You keep hoping that. This cooperative behavior allows multiple individuals to share a territory and work together to maximize their chances of survival. The species' recovery has been considerably slower in California relative to other areas. Otters have bodies that are long and slim, and have short limbs. 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. This is quite a unique adaptation because smelling things underwater for most mammals can only result in inhaling water, which puts them at risk of drowning. They live mainly on land that is very close to bodies of water. Male sea otters typically grasp the female from behind and bite her face, and this rough. We thought we knew turtles. However, otters may take their diet a bit too far because. Unmasking the Dark Side of Otters: Surprising and Disturbing Facts For the record, I'm not actually against attempts to save sea otters as a species. Sometimes river otters will travel between 10 and 18 miles (16 and 29 km) in search of food. Facts about River Otters talk about an animal, which can be found on the coasts or waterways of North America. 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. 15 Fun Facts About Sea Otters That Will Amaze You These otters have brown-to-gray fur, and their undersides are a lighter, silvery . 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. River otters generally live along rivers, as their name implies, but they're also found near streams and lakes. UC Davis, 2019. It's been reported in primates like orangutans and chimpanzees, bottlenose dolphins, and ducks, among many other species. When its time to nap, sea otters entangle themselves in kelp so they dont float away. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) lists the Otariidae family as Near Threatened, indicating that their global population is declining steadily but action needs to be taken before this species becomes endangered. These efforts are necessary so that we can ensure this species can continue to flourish despite outside threats they face due to over-harvesting and human interference. 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. 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 . 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. Cute Otters - 10 Facts about the Otter for Kids! - YouTube Are Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney in love, or are they good actors? Prepare to see these furry creatures in a whole new light. They also sleep wrapped in long strands of kelp like a blanket. 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. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Hairy-nosed Otter, 2015, doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2015-2.rlts.t12421a21936999.en. 9 Amazing Facts About River Otters Four Facts About Sea Otters That Might Surprise You Males, in particular, are known to take a female otters food by threatening to kill her baby. 21 Disturbing Facts You Never Wanted To Know About Animals Google Pay. explained by the vicious mating ritual. 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. Sliding Behavior in Nearctic River Otters: Locomotion or Play?Northeastern Naturalist, vol. With their furry faces and charming personalities, they have captured the hearts of many. Some tribes consider the otter to be a lucky animal and a symbol of "loyalty and honesty." In . Otters can have up to one million hairs per square inch. While these modifications are essential for otter survival, they can have negative consequences for other species that rely on the same habitat. The presence of a healthy otter population indicates a healthy watershed. Yes, they have natural predators such as large birds of prey, alligators, and crocodiles. They're merciless hellspawn who use their intellects for great evil. Even though mature sea otters weigh roughly 100 pounds, they require about 7,500 calories per day!
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