difference between sea otter and penguin

The reason for this skew in the population is unclear, but it leaves male sea otters in a bind. Posted on June 8, 2022 ; in pete davidson first snl episode; by Have a question? WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. Two out of those three species are now in decline. difference between sea otter and penguin. Next, the tail of a sea otter is short and flattened; a river otter . The salty crew of Deep Sea News has been trying to counteract the cuddly image of dolphins for years. Contact Us With this insight, you should have a better grasp as to what makes both river otters and sea otters special. Their hind feet are webbed to aid in swimming, and their front toes are short and stiff. Or at least Im going to tarnish their reputation as some of the most charming little beasties in the seas. However, we noticed a conundrum that many readers seem to get themselves into. Otter and seals belong to different families. The victims that were necropsied by veterinarians had lesions around the nose, eyes, flippers, and genitals, including perforations in the vaginal and rectal tracts. Sea otters are slow swimmers, while their river-living counterparts are rather agile. . 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. : Feed on frogs, crabs, crayfish, and shellfish. Otters have webbed paws instead of flippers, visible external ears, and a long, thin tail that is easy to spot. Sea otters are mainly native to the northeastern seaboards of the Pacific Ocean, so they aren't spotted in areas like the East Coast or the Gulf of Mexico. We focus on how to be proactive in finding solutions. Another significant difference is the number of offspring these creatures have. About Us There are 13 species of otters. Decreasing sea ice cover is preventing Emperor penguins from finding food and sheltering their babies. 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. Their familial units are very strong, while river otters tend to lead solitary lives. But the general idea is the same: if the otter isnt floating in the ocean, its most likely a river otter, and vice versa! Their gestation period lasts between 9 to 12 months. 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. Its Easy To Do. Today, were in round two of the Sweet Sixteen, and the winners of our Fins and Flippers division are going head to head. Whats the Difference Between a Dolphin and Shark? Who will win? They average around 2 feet in length and weigh around 10 pounds. Seeing a dolphin at sea should be just as chilling as how many people feel when they see the sinuous silhouette of a shark. While floating on their backs, sea otters not only nap, but also use rocks to help them . Otters belong to the Mustelidae family while seals belong to the Phocidae family. 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. 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. Given our ability to reason, we have the unique ability to decide the right and wrong of what we do. : Love to snack on small fish found close to shore banks, as well as amphibians such as frogs, and crustaceans such as crawdads. They are mammals without fur as adults. There are twelve different sub-species of river otter, but only three separate sub-species of the sea otter. 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. Lets dive in and get started! ), while females average 22 to 26 kg (49-57 lbs.). Nevertheless, seals tend to be much larger than otters. There are quite a few to discuss, as river otters and sea otters belong to different genuses of animal. 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! 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. Ribbon Seals have a maximum lifespan of about 30 years, but they likely live about 20 years. However, river otters prefer to eat fish, frogs, crayfish, birds, and reptiles, while sea otters enjoy sea urchins, clams, crabs, and seaweed. In addition to the sea otter being significantly bigger than the river otter, they also have different mating and parenting habits. Although described as the smallest marine mammal this species is quite large as otters go, reaching as much as 80 lbs. Though most species occur in cold-water environments. The most notable physical difference between this subspecies and its northern cousins is size. Otters spend the vast majority of their time in the water, and they even sleep in the water. 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. As Douglas and colleagues stressed in their preface to Levicks report, though, the behavior [displayed by hooligan males] is clearly not analogous to necrophilia in the human context. That fact can easily be lost when one is appalled by an animal acting out a human taboo. At Rocky Shores you can explore a far Northwest world where land and ocean meet; where sea lions dive, seals splash and otters play. Sea otters arent only heftier than river otterstheir fur is also quite distinguishable. 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). This goes both ways! The Caribbean monk seal was declared extinct in 2008. They include; weasels, badgers, wolverines, and polecats. SeaQuest is committed to protecting our worlds oceans and endangered animals. In other species, post-hatching battles begin almost immediately. Do you think you can tell the difference if you saw them side-by-side? There are over 70 different species of cetacean. They feed on fish, shellfish, penguins, and other marine creatures. They are both weasel family members, as evident by their long, slender bodies. Both types of otters need their coats to form a layer of insulation that traps air to keep them warm, and they certainly need it when areas like the Pacific dip to chilly temperatures that are often between 35 and 60 (and even lower than that as you move up the coast toward Alaska and Canada)! A fully grown otter weighs between 14 to 45 kg and this makes them the heaviest member among the smallest marine animals. It is slow moving, floats when killed, and is full of oil and baleen. Can You Eat Clownfish and How Does It Taste? In addition to the difference in fur, river otters and sea otters have other differences in appearance. and weighing just 1 to 5 kg (2.2-11 lbs.). They are basically carnivores. We think of otters as the cute little aquatic creatures who float on their backs and rub their cheeks in viral videos. Still, these mammals are very different from one another, and were going to show you the differences between a seal vs otter. Terms & Conditions. Darwin knew this well. However, there some traits and features that make them different from each other. Who will make it to the next round for a chance at a feature story? Lets talk more about all of these differences in more detail now. Both otters have their own adorable way of caring for their young and making them feel at home, too. But this should not be so. Plus, their overall diets, lifespans, and locations differ from one another, not to mention how different they are in appearance! These two similarly named and look-alike animals are, in fact, very different. 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. In this article, we will address all of these differences in detail, including their physicality and social behavior. With the help of donors like you, Ocean Conservancy is developing innovative solutions to save our ocean. Greetings From the Vortex of Unpredictability, rapidly devours all the other unborn sharks, feathery, fluffy dinosaurs killed the brontosaurus. These remaining otters can be found in rivers, lakes, and freshwater wetlands. The dark side of superficially cute animals is a part of their nature that reminds us that the wild does not exist for our entertainment and whimsy. Finally, river otters can dive to around 60 feet deep, whereas sea otters, remarkably, can dive to several hundred feet to forage for food. Sea Otters are a larger species of otter. When I'm not working, I enjoy playing video games, reading, and writing for fun. However, sea otters are only found in salt water and very rarely make their way onto land. They have a very thick layer of fur on their bodies that enables them to keep themselves warm during the cold season. They have a body length of about 3 to 4 feet and weigh between 40 to 60 pounds. One thing many people dont realize is just how much larger sea otters are compared to river otters. Conversely, river otters mate with multiple partners during the course of their lives. 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. Later researchers rediscovered what Levick had seen. In contrast, sea otters actually have one layer of fur, which happens to be the densest fur of any other known animal. The gestation period for otters lasts between 60 to 86 days while the gestation period for seals lasts between 9 months to 12 months. Free shipping for many products! Have some feedback for us? Asian Small-Clawed Otters will live around 12 years in captivity but lifespan in the wild is really unknown, with an estimated number of 5,000 left in the world. again or contact 1.888.780.6763, Learning From and Standing With Climate Justice Communities, Senior Policy Analyst, Fish Conservation Program, Sorry, but we failed to add you to the list. The word pinniped means fin-footed or flipper-footed. 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! 8 Fun Date Night Ideas in Salt Lake City. The North American River Otter has an average lifespan of 13 years in the wild, but up to 25 years in captivity. Dolphins have tried to force themselves on human swimmers, a prospect made all the more terrifying by the fact that they have prehensile penises. I've written in a variety of niches such as video games, animals, and managed service providers. When it comes to having pups, one fact that distinguishes sea otters from river otters is the number of pups they have per litter. 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. Receive email updates to learn how you can help make a difference for the future of our ocean. The largest otter, the river otter, only weighs about 100lbs when it reaches its full weight, and it grows about 6ft long. But if theres any marine vertebrate that wins the title of the squickiest, its dolphins. : They are huge eaters! Keep reading to learn more about what makes each of these species unique. Most seal species are currently not considered endangered, according to the IUCN Red List. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 1Polar Bear vs. Wombat; Tasmanian Devil vs. Pangolin; (voting closed) WINNERS: Polar Bear and Pangolin.Day 23/20: Paws and Claws pt. These are the major differences between seals and otters, and their unique qualities become even more prominent when you look closer at these two creatures. 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). I cant say I look forward to the day when scientists discover dolphin slurs. The naturalistic fallacy refers to the misguided belief that whatever is natural is good. On average, river otters have two to three pups per litter with the pups going off on their own after about six months to a year. For if such awful displays occurred in nature, what might that say about our own actions? Although seals and otters are often believed to be related, the truth is that they belong to completely different . When I first heard about the behavior from a marine biologist friend of mine, I didnt quite believe sea otters could be so diabolical. The sea otter is the "fluffiest" among these three animals. Delivered in the scientific deadpan required of such papers, the Aquatic Mammals report attributes the incidents to three male sea otters observed harassing, dragging, guarding, and copulating with harbor seals, persisting for up to seven days after the otters killed the objects of their misguided advances. Seals spend less time in the water than otters. Otters are comparatively smaller while seals are larger in body size. 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. 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. If they cant keep them on their stomachs for some reason like if they are hunting, scientists have witnessed sea otters wrapping their young in kelp to keep them afloat while the mothers seek food. They include; walrus, eared seals, sea lions, fur seals, and earless seals. Lets take a look and some similarities, and differences, between these two amazingly fascinating animals! Seals are marine mammals in the Phocidae family. Now, however, its differentthere is too little sea ice, which is impacting the food supply. Southern sea otters are approximately four feet in length and weigh on average between 45-65 pounds. 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. Strange as it may seem, mating is a relatively common cause of death for female sea otters as well. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. They can grow up to 4 feet and weigh up to 70 pounds. It is a grave mistake to see the so-called depravity of penguins, dolphins, and otters in the same way as our own behavior. Who will you choose? Algae vs Seaweed: What is the Difference? According to the IUCN, this can make it hard for otters to meet their high metabolic needs, leading to malnutrition or starvation.. An adorable detail about sea otters is the fact that they hold paws when sleeping to avoid drifting away from their familial units. River otters will achieve maturity between the ages of two and three, while female sea otters mature between ages three and five, and males even later between ages five and seven. 2. They are found all over the world and live in all waters both the arctic and subarctic. River otters also reach sexual maturity earlier and are typically able to reproduce sooner than sea otters. River otters keep their young safe by their side and in dens that they build on riverbanks, while sea otter moms typically keep their pups nestled on their stomachs as they float until they are old enough to swim on their own. What we might perceive as aberrant behavior starts earlyespecially violence. Sea otters also notably have two very large back feet, webbed and streamlined for paddling and swift swimming in unpredictable ocean waters. River otters and sea otters also have habitat preferences in these unique ecosystems. Please try Not all otters are created equal, especially when it comes to their size. WildlifeInformer.com is your #1 source for free information about all types of wildlife and exotic pets. More commonly known as seals, they are a widely distributed and diverse group of fin-footed, semiaquatic, mostly marine mammals. Careers, 2023 SeaQuest, All Rights Reserved. One of the main differences between a river otter vs sea otter is their species or genus classification. subfamily. Sea otters eat sea urchins, seaweed, clams, and crabs. While it may seem obvious at first, you may not know all of the differences between a river otter vs sea otter. Still, these two mammals are very different from one another. Only your votes can decide who moves on for a chance at a deep-dive feature story. Some local populations, such as Gray seals in the Baltic Sea, are endangered. The seal and otter are two animals that both love to call water home and have a face that can tell a thousand stories! Whereas a female southern sea otter grows up to 50 pounds, a female northern sea otter can weigh up to 70 pounds. We also share helpful tips and guides on a variety of topics related to animals and nature. While both animals are classified as otters, river otters are members of the Lontra genus, and sea otters are members of the Enhydra genus. They may look similar, but they are two different creatures. Levick wrote an entire book about the seagoing birds on his return, describing the impression of the elegant avians like so: When seen for the first time, the Adlie penguin gives you the impression of a very smart little man in an evening dress suit, so absolutely immaculate is he, with his shimmering white front and black back and shoulders. But the species shocked and horrified Levick so much so that his four-page report Sexual Habits of the Adlie Penguin was purposefully omitted from the official expedition findings and distributed only to a small group of researchers considered learned and discreet enough to handle the graphic content. Another major difference between sea otters and river otters is their mating habits. Seals and otters are easy to tell apart if you know where to look. Their scientific name, Pinnipeds, says it all. The sea otter is the largest member of the weasel family. unit 3: personal and business finance grade boundaries. Both species face threats of pollution, habitat loss, and reduced food sources. Yet, if the two creatures are closer in size, then you will need to rely on other methods of differentiating them. The Asian small-clawed otter is the smallest of all otters, measuring 65 to 94 cm (26-37 in.) If dolphins really disappeared tomorrow, as in the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy series, I think their final message would be Screw You rather than the So Long, And Thanks for All the Fish farewell Douglas Adams imagined. 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. Parents can be as bad as siblings. Members of Phocidae are known as earless seals or true seals. Seals are larger than otters, weighing a lot more than them and growing much longer. American Oceans, Quick Facts: Bioluminescence & What Causes It. 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. At Georgia Aquarium, guests can see our southern sea otters in ourCold Water Questgallery and our Asian small-clawed otters in ourSouthern Company River Scoutgallery. All of this is only the barest catalog of common and widespread phenomena in nature that we often shy away from examining, as we have great difficulty divorcing our own sense of morality from a wilderness that does not and cannot share our values. River otters, despite their name, can be found in fresh and salt water. It might be because river otters have to fight the strong currents of a river and catch their food and fish. What is Our Oceans Role in the Transition to Clean Energy? Considered a cousin of the weasel, otters are known for their elongated bodies, webbed feet, and playful antics, particularly their love of sliding down rocks, banks, or waterfalls. 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. While visiting Adlie penguins rookeries, Levick was shocked by the activities of what he called hooligan cocks. Males accosted and copulated with other males, females that were injured, chicks that had tumbled from their nests, and corpses. African penguins are declining in part due to fluctuations in water temperature and increased storms on their breeding grounds. The largest river otters weigh in at around thirty pounds. Another key difference between a river otter vs sea otter is their preferred locations and habitats. These two different animals have their key differences, but one thing is for sure: theyre all still otterly loveable wildlife all the same! Sea otters will be in the sea, river otters will be in the river. Not to mention that we nearly eradicated sea otters out of lust for their pelts, and we continue to keep dolphins confined in small, hard-walled, unhealthy environments for nothing more than our amusement. The Northern sea otter and the Southern sea otter, but in actuality, this is the one and only species of otter that is a lifelong ocean-dweller. Their tails alone can grow to 24 inches!. They are comparatively smaller in body size. Levick was aghast because he viewed the penguins in human termsas little gents and dames dressed to the nines. But no, the strange sea otter attacks on baby seals are a reality and have even made their way into the technical literature. While they are both otters, river otters belong to the Lontra genus, while sea otters belong to the Enhydra genus. They are also captured for the exotic pet trade in some countries and several species are still trapped and killed for their fur. California Sea Lions live an average of 15 to 25 years, however some have lived to 30 years or more in captivity with proper diet and healthcare. While they are both otters, river otters belong to the Lontra genus, while sea otters belong to the Enhydra genus. 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. While sea otters and river otters share many differences, they do share a major similarity the threats they face in the wild. * {{quote-news, year=2013, date=April 9, author=Andrei Lankov, title=Stay Cool. Shocking behavior isnt the sole province of marine mammals. 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. 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. Vote below. In addition to this, once you know the fundamentals of what to look for, its quite easy to differentiate whether or not an otter is a sea otter or a river otter one is large and fluffy and the other is small and streamlined. A 2010 study found that a toxin found in blue-green algae called microcystin had killed at least 21 California sea otters. There are twelve different sub-species of river otter, but only three separate sub-species of the sea otter. Its without a doubt that otters are some of the most adorable mammals to ever grace the planet. Wildlife Informer is reader-supported. 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). While the females are similarly much smaller than the males at 10-20 pounds, male river otters only reach a maximum size of around 30 pounds. 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. As ethologist Sarah Hrdy has observed, there are various reasons for infanticide. 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. Not to worry, friends. They are very different from other mammals that share the seals name or lineage. Conversely, sea otters only give birth to one pup and care for them until they are between eight and twelve months old. Such behavior led ornithologist Douglas Mock and colleagues to write Occasionally, the pen of natural selection writes a murder mystery on the pages of evolution. Among birds, parents under stress to provide for their offspring during rough years may boot eggs from their nests or kill some of their own chicks so that others might survive. Sea otters are hardly the only marine animals to behave in ways that make us cringe. The Asian small-clawed otter's tail is long, with a sharp end. 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