and weighing just 1 to 5 kg (2.2-11 lbs.). The key differences between seals and otters are size, family, and their method of thermoregulation. 2Lemur vs. Koala; Panda vs. Wolverine (voting closed) WINNERS: Koala and Wolverine.Day 33/23: Fins and FlippersSea Lion vs. Sea Horse; Penguin vs. Manatee; Walrus vs. Sea Otter; Whale vs. Salmon (voting closed) WINNERS: Sea Horse, Sea Otter, Whale, and Penguin.Day 43/24: Horns and HoovesElephant vs. Horned Lizard; Rhino vs. Narwhal; Saola vs. Moose; Mountain Goat vs. Reindeer (voting closed) WINNERS: Elephant, Narwhal, Moose, and Mountain Goat.Day 53/25: Shells and WingsSea Turtle vs. Pelican; Sage Grouse vs. Since southern sea otters are found in cooler waters, its important for their fur to be able to insulate them from the weather. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Another significant difference is the number of offspring these creatures have. (Major seas are known as oceans.) Adult sea otters may grow up to 5 feet in . 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! Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. But sea otters relationship with climate change goes two ways. They are also captured for the exotic pet trade in some countries and several species are still trapped and killed for their fur. River otters also can often be found on the banks of the river. What makes each species unique, and what are the signs that make each one recognizable? Unlike the common otter, sea otter's feet are webbed. The largest otter, the river otter, only weighs about 100lbs when it reaches its full weight, and it grows about 6ft long. Ocean Conservancy, International Coastal Cleanup, Trash Free Seas, Trash Free Seas Alliance, Global Ghost Gear Initiative, Urban Ocean and Clean Swell are registered trademarks of Ocean Conservancy. Can You Eat Clownfish and How Does It Taste? Asian small-clawed otters have relatively short hair that consists of two layers a coarse, waterproof outer coat and a softer, finer layer that is used for warmth. 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. 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. Additionally, river otters have a very different social structure from sea otters, often preferring solitude over a sea otters committed family structure. . I'm a freelance writer with 8 years of experience. Seals themselves have been observed to cause similar kinds of trauma when groups of males mob females. The Knysna seahorse is extremely vulnerable to increases in water temperatures; in 1991, more than 3,000 were found dead after heavy rainfall resulted in higher than normal temperatures. In Antarctica, the Adlie, chinstrap, and gentoo penguins flourished under warming that caused ice sheets to shrink. Their slow, quiet and sudden way. They are comparatively larger in body size. Sea otters also notably have two very large back feet, webbed and streamlined for paddling and swift swimming in unpredictable ocean waters. The largest river otters weigh in at around thirty pounds. In addition to the difference in fur, river otters and sea otters have other differences in appearance. Unlike most other otter species, fish are not an important part of their diet. This makes them very different animals, especially when you consider the fact that sea otters are the only members of their genus. Its without a doubt that otters are some of the most adorable mammals to ever grace the planet. We can find beauty and poetry in nature, but we can also find terror and savagery, all essential parts of the entire picture. It lives with its family for about a year. Shocking behavior isnt the sole province of marine mammals. Conversely, river otters mate with multiple partners during the course of their lives. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. An adorable detail about sea otters is the fact that they hold paws when sleeping to avoid drifting away from their familial units. Their diets are reminiscent of their environments. They are very different from other mammals that share the seals name or lineage. True seals use blubber deposits under their skin to keep themselves warm when theyre in the water, which is quite often. Lets talk more about all of these differences in more detail now. We also share helpful tips and guides on a variety of topics related to animals and nature. There are quite a few to discuss, as river otters and sea otters belong to different genuses of animal. The newborn is taken care of by the males, females, and other offspring. Its as easy as that! Posted on June 8, 2022 ; in pete davidson first snl episode; by The identity of a pair of repeat offenders held a clue. There was nothing obviously wrong with these rehabbed otters, but the trouble they experienced early in their lives might have made them more likely assailants. Answers: These three are all sea otters (credit: Deanna Lynch/USFWS) while the first and last photos in this blog are river otters (credit: Barry Troutman). Sea otters have an average lifespan of 12-15 years in the wild while river otters live an average of 9-12 years. The Caribbean monk seal was declared. Inside pregnant sand tiger sharks, for example, the first embryo to grow large enough rapidly devours all the other unborn sharks in its shared womb. 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 that's extremely dense and warm. Another motherly difference is how these two creatures care for their young. All contents 2023 The Slate Group LLC. Asian small-clawed otters spend more of their time on land than in water, which helps keep a stable body temperature. 2022 Georgia Aquarium 225 Baker Street Northwest, Atlanta, GA. Georgia Aquarium is a nonprofit committed to inspiring awareness and preservation of our ocean and aquatic animals worldwide. Lets take a look and some similarities, and differences, between these two amazingly fascinating animals! Given their preferred habitats, this is only natural, though there are some dietary overlaps between sea otters and saltwater river otters. It has "toes" on its feet. Youll have a very simple time determining if you are looking at an otter from a true seal with one or two of those factors. Many people don't know the difference between sea otters and river otters but, with a little info, you'll be able to tell right away. 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. With no power for the electric lights, the house was a sea of darkness. Seals are marine mammals in the Phocidae family. Plus, their overall diets, lifespans, and locations differ from one another, not to mention how different they are in appearance! Our mission at Wildlife Informer is to share free information and pictures of wildlife with our readers. Sea otters also notably have two very large back feet, webbed and streamlined for paddling and swift swimming in unpredictable ocean waters. Search. One of the main differences between a river otter vs sea otter is their species or genus classification. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Site by Thrive Web Designs, Otters are one of the most fascinating and charismatic marine mammal species. Another major difference between sea otters and river otters is their mating habits. While sea otters and river otters share many differences, they do share a major similarity - the threats they face in the wild. Some seals have fur, but they are not considered true seals. The majority of river otters mate with multiple otters throughout the course of their lives, and they may have multiple litters in a year. Contact us today. Otters belong to the Mustelidae family while seals belong to the Phocidae family. Otters are mammals in the Mustelidae family. They have a very thick layer of fur on their bodies that enables them to keep themselves warm during the cold season. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. Whats the Difference Between a Dolphin and Shark? Both otters have their own adorable way of caring for their young and making them feel at home, too. 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. They are commonly known as pinnipeds. We focus on how to be proactive in finding solutions. Without a doubt, dolphins are jerks. They are mostly solitary but come together in groups to mate. Terms & Conditions. Receive email updates to learn how you can help make a difference for the future of our ocean. All rights reserved. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Seahorse: Last time we talked about seahorses, we mentioned their fragile coastal ecosystemscoral reefs and mangroves, for instance, are especially vulnerable to disturbances brought on by warming ocean temperatures, ocean acidification, and increased flooding. The rehabilitated sea otters were released into an environment of intense competition and were at a disadvantage when it came time to find a mate. They are also known as fin-footed mammals. In this article, we will address all of these differences in detail, including their physicality and social behavior. A sea otter also has a shorter tail than a river otter, and river otters are narrower in their body mass. Male sea otters typically grasp the female from behind and bite her face, and this rough behavior was associated with the deaths of about 11 percent of dead sea otters discovered between 2000 and 2003. Still, these two mammals are very different from one another. Vote in the embedded tweets below, on Twitter with the hashtag #CPMarchSadness, or on our Facebook page. Length of Lions Mane Jellyfish vs Blue Whale. 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! All pinnipeds (seals, sea lions and walruses) are protected in U.S. waters under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, according to NOAA. As their name suggests, sea otters live in the sea! Heres a list of 9 ways that sea otters and river otters are different from one another. It is a grave mistake to see the so-called "depravity" of penguins, dolphins, and otters in the same way as our own behavior. Read the rules here. The other two clawless otters are similar in size to river otters. Though most species occur in cold-water environments. More commonly known as seals, they are a widely distributed and diverse group of fin-footed, semiaquatic, mostly marine mammals. Seals are larger than otters, weighing a lot more than them and growing much longer. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The American Oceans Campaign is dedicated primarily to the restoration, protection, and preservation of the health and vitality of coastal waters, estuaries, bays, wetlands, and oceans. Seeing a dolphin at sea should be just as chilling as how many people feel when they see the sinuous silhouette of a shark. Southern sea otters are considered an endangered species, while Asian small-clawed otters are vulnerable. However, just because an otter is spotted on the coast does not mean its a sea otter. 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. River otters and sea otters have different lifespans. In what promises to be two close matches, Sea Otter will face off against Penguin, and ThinkProgress office-favorite Sea Horse will battle the severely endangered North Atlantic Right Whale. 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. The reason for this skew in the population is unclear, but it leaves male sea otters in a bind. Dolphins kill other marine mammals and fish just for fun and commit infanticide. They have the ability to walk but they prefer living in the oceans more than staying on the land. Giant Otter Giant Otters are the largest otter species and are very similar to large river otters. Ground squirrels, hyenas, and lions may eat infants of their own species just for a snack. 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. There are about 33 species in this family. Thank you for reading! They eat 15% of their body weight a day. 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. 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. For whichever animal wins, ClimateProgress will write a feature-length article exploring the story behind whats ailing your chosen critter, and who is working to save them. Have some feedback for us? : Love to snack on small fish found close to shore banks, as well as amphibians such as frogs, and crustaceans such as crawdads. They have webbed feet, water-repellent fur to keep them dry and warm, and nostrils and ears that close in the water. 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. difference between sea otter and penguin. This inner layer keeps them warm, and the outer layer keeps them waterproof. Answer: I can only speak about North American otters, of which there are two species: * Enhydra lutris - Generally called a "Sea Otter". We shouldnt draw the curtains over the aspects of animal behavior that make us cringe, as Levick did when he coded some of his Adlie penguin notes in Greek and ultimately decided not to publish his findings. River otters, despite their name, can be found in fresh and salt water. There are twelve different sub-species of river otter, but only three separate sub-species of the sea otter. The Asian small-clawed otter is "slimmer" and smaller, with smooth fur and a face that looks like it is smiling. Careers, 2023 SeaQuest, All Rights Reserved. Seals are larger than otters on average, and the largest members of the species make otters look positively tiny. These remaining otters can be found in rivers, lakes, and freshwater wetlands. The main difference between otter and seal is that Otters are comparatively smaller in body size while seals are comparatively larger in body size. Nevertheless, seals tend to be much larger than otters. The most famous in the United States, the California seal lion can be found all along the West coast of North America. Seals primarily eat fish, while otters eat a variety of items including fish, amphibians, crustaceans, and small mammals. In desperation, some male Adlie penguins tried to mate with the ground until they ejaculated. Many creatures dwell in the water, and some of them are difficult to tell apart. Although both seals and otters come in various sizes due to their many species, seals are almost always larger than otters. At Rocky Shores you can explore a far Northwest world where land and ocean meet; where sea lions dive, seals splash and otters play. The distinction between these two is important: the sea otter will spend its entire life floating in the ocean, swimming, feeding, and reproducing. If you find these critters as otterly . The most common seal in the Arctic, the ringed seal is the smallest of the seal species. WildlifeInformer.com is your #1 source for free information about all types of wildlife and exotic pets. They are one of the only mammals that use tools to help them hunt and feed, and they happen to have the densest fur of any other mammal on the planet. The main feature that makes otters appear different from seals is the body size. Otter endangered status varies by species and location. In addition, severe weather can make it difficult for sea otters to forage for and find food. Although described as the smallest marine mammal this species is quite large as otters go, reaching as much as 80 lbs. subfamily. They have a body length of about 3 to 4 feet and weigh between 40 to 60 pounds. If we truly wish to appreciate sea otters, dolphins, penguins, and the rest, we need to consider them as they truly are and not just as the cuddly caricatures that never cease to make us go Awww.. They spend time in the water foraging for mollusks, fish, frogs and crustaceans. They weigh 1-5 kg (2-11 pounds). In addition to the sea otter being significantly bigger than the river otter, they also have different mating and parenting habits. While both animals are classified as otters, river otters are members of the Lontra genus, and sea otters are members of the Enhydra genus. 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 . Their swimming mechanisms are also a little different. Thank you for reading! Get Out Your Green & Gold! There are twelve different sub-species of river otter, but only three separate sub-species of the sea otter. They have a fat layer called blubber under their skin that makes them keep themselves warm during the cold season. The former can reach up to 5.6 mph (9 kph) underwater, while the latter, in North America, has a maximum speed of 8.7 mph (14 kph). 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. again or contact 1.888.780.6763. As the smallest species of otter, they range in size from 4.4 to 11 pounds, with a body length of only 16 to 24 inches, which makes them half the length of a southern sea otter! When you click and buy we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Decades of efforts to help the dark gray baleen whale recover through international protection have done little to improve the species prospects. hold hands with other otters so they dont drift apart, Watch Five Giant River Otters Face-Off Against a Huge Jaguar, Watch a Group of Massive River Otters Defeat a Crocodile in Vicious Battle, Weight: 10lbs-99lbs Length: 2ft-6ft, Blubber deposits under the skin keep true seals warm, -Dense fur that has two layers, guard hairs, and insulating underfur, Spend equal amounts of time on land and in the water, Spend the vast majority of their time in the water. Although seals and otters are often believed to be related, the truth is that they belong to completely different families. SeaQuest Blog . Otters and seals have many things in common. Sea otters are slow swimmers, while their river-living counterparts are rather agile. With 13 species around the world, you can find an otter species located on almost every continent! Sea otters, conversely, are found only in salt water and rarely go on land. One of the main differences between a river otter vs sea otter is their species or genus classification. Male bottlenose dolphins will sometimes team up to target a single female and harass her persistently, forcing her to mate with them despite her attempts to escape. In fact, the largest members of the seal species make otters look quite tiny. When seen for the first time, the Adlie penguin gives you the impression of a very smart little man. 5 Honest Difference Between Mouse Poop and Rat Poop with Similarities, 10 Difference Between Dog and Fox (With Table), 5 Difference Between Bed Bugs and Scabies with Similarities, 15 Differences Between Plant Cell and Animal Cell, https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/what-uc-santa-cruz-learning-about-otters, 7 Difference between Lice and Ticks (With Table), 9 Difference between Leopard and Snow Leopard (With Table), 10 Difference between Hippopotamus and Rhinoceros (With Table), 5 Difference between Farm-Raised and Wild Salmon (With Table), 7 Difference between Earthworm and Leech (With Table). Sea otters also have thicker fur, often with white markings, while river otters have sleeker fur to match their streamlined bodies. Red Wolf Population (Historically and Currently), Manatee Vs Dugong (Heres the Difference), 6 Types of Water Snakes in Illinois (Pictures). 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. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. They are also known as fin-footed mammals. Otters have paws and external ears while seals have flippers but do not have visible ears. They include; walrus, eared seals, sea lions, fur seals, and earless seals. And delphine sexual aggression isnt limited to members of their own kind. Their familial units are very strong, while river otters tend to lead solitary lives. River otters also reach sexual maturity earlier and are typically able to reproduce sooner than sea otters. Otters are comparatively smaller while seals are larger in body size. (label) A large number or quantity; a vast amount.A sea of faces stared back at the singer. Still, the attempts to mate with seals requires an explanation. Their unique bodies make it easy to tell the creatures apart. Seals have flippers, no visible external ears, and a very small tail. Not only is this useful for staying together, but it also keeps them away from the shore where many of their predators reside. Their bodies and feet are also shaped very differently as well. SeaQuest is committed to protecting our worlds oceans and endangered animals. Copyright 2023. Keep reading to learn more about what makes each of these species unique. 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. They live in or near oceans. They are basically carnivores. If youre on a river in the middle of the North American continent, far away from any seaboard: its a river otter. Sea otters are hardly the only marine animals to behave in ways that make us cringe. A fully grown otter weighs between 14 to 45 kg and this makes them the heaviest member among the smallest marine animals. For example, sea lions are sometimes believed to be seals, but that is not the case. The average lifespan of a sea otter is twelve to fifteen years in the wild, but the average lifespan of a river otter is only nine to twelve years. The victims that were necropsied by veterinarians had lesions around the nose, eyes, flippers, and genitals, including perforations in the vaginal and rectal tracts. There are only 450 left in the world. Wildlife Informer is reader-supported. Previously, Brian Switek has written about mammoth end-times, and how feathery, fluffy dinosaurs killed the brontosaurus. River otters and sea otters also have habitat preferences in these unique ecosystems. Seals are larger than otters, weighing a lot more than them and growing much longer. They are mammals without fur as adults. If you travel further north to areas like the Alaskan seaboard, you could even find males weighing up to 100 pounds! Otters webbed paws are interesting because sea otters will hold hands with their partners, so they dont drift too far apart from their group. Though they may look similar, there are distinct differences between the two. Giant Otters have a smaller lifespan in the wild at about 10 years. This only gets creepier given the recent suggestion that dolphins actually have names that they call one another. Your Generous Gift Will Help Us Continue To Protect Our Ocean And Its Wildlife. Given our ability to reason, we have the unique ability to decide the right and wrong of what we do. If a male cant find a mate because of his youth or inability to chase off competitors, Harris and co-authors suggest, he might search for a female surrogate that may take the form of a young otter or, as in their study, seal pups. 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. Sea Otters are a larger species of otter. Both are adapted to keeping themselves warm in the water. Otters spend a substantial amount of time grooming, and many species of river otters have designated areas on land for . Sea otters commit to one another and raise one pup at a time.