Their construction activities can lead to the erosion of riverbanks, the destruction of vegetation, and the alteration of water flow in the surrounding area. For example, otters have been known to kill and eat kittens, and they have also been known to attack and kill humans. Boyle, Steve. 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. Male otters' mating techniques are violent. Description of the River Otter. 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. 2 hours of sleep? And I guess I get the appeal. There are 13 species in total, ranging from the small-clawed otter to the giant otter. Did you know that otters hold hands while sleeping to prevent drifting apart? Researchers were not certain how the otters succeeded in getting the virus, but researchers theorize it may have dispersed to otter populations during the time of the H1N1 outbreak in 2009. Only the North American river otter is a species of least concern. However, even within these communal groups, otters still exhibit territorial behavior and establish dominance hierarchies, highlighting the importance of resource control in their survival. Otter families are usually limited to pups and their mothers, and these duos will spend most of their time either feeding or sleeping. Interestingly, male otters have also been observed engaging in polygamous behavior, mating with multiple females during the breeding season. These otters have brown-to-gray fur, and their undersides are a lighter, silvery . 5. Their construction activities can lead to the erosion of riverbanks, the destruction of vegetation, and the alteration of water flow in the surrounding area. Second, otters can give you H1N1, better known as "swine flu," as our friends at The Verge have reported. They learn to swim when they are about two months old, when their mother pushes them into the water. However, in rare cases, otter attacks can result in more severe injuries, particularly if the victim is a child or elderly person. The giant otter is an endangered species found in South America, primarily along the Amazon river and the Pantanal. River otters are common and of "least concern" in California, but are threatened or endangered in some other states . While rare, injuries to humans caused by them can occur, highlighting the importance of respecting these wild animals and maintaining a safe distance. Ten months later, this same male was observed with the carcass of another female sea otter. Otters Will Resort to Acute Behaviors Just to Get Some Food, In the Amazon, Giant Otters are the Second Largest and Most Capable Predator, Giant otters average a weight of around 75 pounds but some have been noticed to be over six feet long. Creepy and evil otters will forcefully copulate with a corpse. For our furry friends, that means getting their meal by any means necessary. They were considered extinct until 1998 when a scientist in Thailand found small populations. Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, 2020. otters can infect humans with the H1N1 virus. - Diving into the Science! Generally, a group of otters on land will go by a romp, while a group hanging in the water is called a raft. Learn 15 more facts about these fascinating mammals. Otter disappearance is evidence of pollutants, habitat fragmentation, or loss of prey due to habitat destruction. All otters are expert hunters that eat fish, crustaceans, and other critters. As it turns out, otters can be quite evil. 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. However, theres more to these aquatic mammals than meets the eye. Educating the public about wildlife conservation and habitat protection is one of the most effective ways to promote conservation efforts. Does eating close to bedtime make you gain weight? 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. Inside South Africas skeleton trade. Otters have small, rounded ears, and long sensitive whiskers to help them feel the vibrations of their prey. Despite spending most of their time in the water, otters cant breathe underwater; as mammals, they need air. Yes, they live in intricate social structures, with a distinct hierarchy that dictates their interactions. They do it all on their own, with no help from the fathers. They communicate with each other using a variety of vocalizations, including whistles, growls, and chirps. All rights reserved. Female otters have a disproportionately higher mortality rate than males, and experts attribute this to their gruesome mating ritual. Support our mission and help keep Vox free for all by making a financial contribution to Vox today. "Giant Otter." Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. "Weird and Fascinating Ways Animals Use Poop." The harbor seal moved toward the water with the sea otter following closely. But are otters really as sweet as we think they are, or are otters evil? Swimming ability is further enhanced in most species by four webbed feet. There has been an incident where an otter had tried to mate with a dog and killed it in the process. Regardless of the reasons behind this behavior, the impacts on the ecosystems are significant. Skip to the end to watch the video. But maybe the most disturbing fact about otters is that they are known to "mate" with deceased animals. These furry creatures eat meat, such as fish, frogs, birds, and even mammals. Rape or, as biologists usually call it, "forced copulation" is a disturbing fact of life in the animal kingdom. Their nostrils and ears close to keep water out, and waterproof fur keeps them warm. explained by the vicious mating ritual. For whatever reason, Pokmon Sun and Moon seem to have the most depressing Pokdex entries to date, and Komala is no exception: it's simply never awake, Sun tells us . 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. "River Otters Take Party Pooping to A New Level." Four different species of otter live in Central or South America, another three in South and Southeast Asia, two in sub-Saharan Africa, and one in Europe. Royal Society Open Science, vol. 6. 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. This adds an additional layer of complexity to the already challenging task of maintaining balanced ecosystems. March 28, 2023 by Wilson Singleton. Others, like the marine otters of South America, have had their numbers reduced because of poaching, as well as environmental concerns. Its thought to get its special odor, which some scientists describe as smelling like violets, from the seafood diet otters eat. . Hairy-nosed otters are an endangered species found in Asia. Yes, youve read that right. All otters have webbed feet to help propel them through the water, and most species . Most of us could spend an entire day scrolling through cute otter videos on social media. Otters sometimes rape baby seals. Fish and Wildlife Service and is currently in place to promote recovery efforts across all states in the United States. Otters love to eat shelled animals, like clams, but they aren't equipped with the strength to open their food without some help. Source: 14 Fascinating, Super-Disturbing Facts About The Human Body. "Energy Demands of Raising a Pup Push Sea Otter Moms to the Limit." otter, (subfamily Lutrinae), any of 13 species of semiaquatic mammals that belong to the weasel family (Mustelidae) and are noted for their playful behaviour. Otters have their cubs in underground burrows, known as 'holts'. Most are small, with short ears and noses, elongated bodies, long tails, and soft, dense fur. Zoroastrians would also hold ceremonies for otters found dead in the wild. The charismatic otter, a member of the weasel family, is found on every continent except Australia and Antarctica. How Stuff Works. Additionally, some commercial fishing operations may see them as a direct threat to their livelihoods, leading to calls for population control or even eradication. In fact, females havedisproportionately higher rates of fatality explained by the vicious mating ritual. Being at the top of the food chain causes pollutants to become concentrated in their bodies, leading to illness and death. However, there's more to these aquatic mammals than meets the eye. Sometimes, they will also force the females head underwater. Community outreach can also be an invaluable resource when it comes to engaging people around meaningful conversation efforts for threatened species like otters. The elusive otter is one of our top predators, feeding mainly on fish (particularly eels and salmonids), waterbirds, amphibians and crustaceans. 15 Fascinating Facts About Otters. Theories for what's behind the drop range widely, but the US Fish and Wildlife Survey's recovery plan for the species highlights predation, in particular from killer whales, as the most important factor behind the decline. Despite spending most of their time in the water, #4 Otters Will Force Themselves on Other Animals. Just like when they mate, otters bite the baby seal and hold it down with their sharp claws, causing injuries and death in most cases. 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. Otters have some interesting relatives. "The Fantastic Fur of Sea Otters." Source: 14 Fascinating, Super-Disturbing Facts About The Human Body. River otters perform "scat dances" by stomping their hind feet and lifting their tail. As otters build their dens, they can cause significant changes to their environment. In this post, well talk about why otters are evil and why they arent the cuddlers they appear to be. 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. Giant River Otters Live Up to Their Name, 6. Otters reach swim speeds of up to 7 miles per hour. That amount of calories is insane because that is three times what an average human needs. Otters are well suited to a life on the water as they have . This means you cant distinguish between healthy and infected otters, making them even more dangerous. Forced sex. Baby otters usually are called pups. Male otters, known as dogs, have been observed biting the females nose during copulation to keep her in place. She is the author of "The Ethiopian Wolf: Hope at the Edge of Extinction. While this predatory behavior is a natural part of their existence, it can sometimes have detrimental effects on their ecosystems. Some Hold Hands While Sleeping. Otters' big appetites protect kelp forests by eating sea urchins. European otters must eat 15% of their body weight each day, and sea otters 20 to 25%, depending on the temperature. In 2014, a study of giant otters found that the river-dwellers have 22 distinct noises they make for different situations. This impact on fisheries can be particularly significant in areas with already vulnerable fish populations, where otters predation can further destabilize the ecosystem. Some even move in while beavers are still present. 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. Phone: +381 69 283 48 42 Carnivore. The forceful mating practices of otters also have implications for conservation efforts. They also force sex with other species. Mating with other species is an unusual and disturbing behavior observed in some otters, particularly sea otters. One studyfound that kelp beds where sea otters are present soak up 12 times as much carbon dioxide as beds where they're not. To prevent these conflicts, it is important to avoid approaching them or their dens, particularly during breeding season when they may be more aggressive. The layers manage to trap air next to the otter's skin, which keeps the otters dry and warm and also helps with buoyancy. 2. They eat 9 pounds of food each day. You bet they do! 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. This mating behavior is typically driven by the males desire to maximize his chances of passing on his genes to future generations. Fruit Fly Swarms Are Really Just Massive Orgies The only places without endemic otters are Australia and Antarctica. Rock juggling doesn't improve hunting skills or efficient extraction of meat from shells. 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. "North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis): A Technical Conservation Assessment."
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