African penguins are declining in part due to fluctuations in water temperature and increased storms on their breeding grounds. The Asian small-clawed otter's tail is long, with a sharp end. However, sea otters are only found in salt water and very rarely make their way onto land. River otters and sea otters might be similar in name, but these two different classifications and populations are actually quite different in many ways, in the same way dogs have different breeds. The Caribbean monk seal was declared. Otters belong to the Mustelidae family while seals belong to the Phocidae family. : Feed on crabs, clams, mussels, sea urchins, and abalone. All otters must continually groom their fur to maintain its insulating qualities. It lives with its family for about a year. Another significant difference is the number of offspring these creatures have. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. Since river otters are much smaller, they are more prone to predators. They average around 2 feet in length and weigh around 10 pounds. Taxonomically speaking, there is actually only one species of sea otter! Although its not a visible means of telling the creatures apart, knowing their family can help distinguish the creatures. Unlike most other otter species, fish are not an important part of their diet. Plus, visit our Arctic fox and see how his coat changes throughout the year. Algae vs Seaweed: What is the Difference? Not all otters are created equal, especially when it comes to their size. The Key Differences Between Seal vs Otter. Some seals have fur, but they are not considered true seals. For example, sea lions are sometimes believed to be seals, but that is not the case. Given the violence and depravity were capable of, were not exactly models of morality. But if theres any marine vertebrate that wins the title of the squickiest, its dolphins. Heres a list of 9 ways that sea otters and river otters are different from one another. 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. While they are both otters, river otters belong to the Lontra genus, while sea otters belong to the Enhydra genus. Sea otters arent only heftier than river otterstheir fur is also quite distinguishable. The sea otter does, however, have a shorter tail than the river otter. A 2010 study found that a toxin found in blue-green algae called microcystin had killed at least 21 California sea otters. But how do we tell the difference between river otters and sea otters? Both seals and otters can vary a great deal in their sizes owing to their various species. Enter your email and never miss an update. Copyright 2023. 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! However, river otters can swim in saltwater if there is an ocean near their preferred river habitat. Thats quite the size difference! . Sea otters have the densest fur in the entire animal kingdom with up to one million hairs covering each square inch of their body. River otters and sea otters have different lifespans. The reason for this skew in the population is unclear, but it leaves male sea otters in a bind. : Most all seal species are carnivorous. All contents 2023 The Slate Group LLC. The pups learn their mothers voice to avoid confusion of the mother feeding another seals pups. Both species face threats of pollution, habitat loss, and reduced food sources. 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! Seals are larger than otters, weighing a lot more than them and growing much longer. The main feature that makes otters appear different from seals is the body size. Another difference between river otters and sea otters is their appearance. Many species of river otter inhabit coastal areas and are sometimes confused for sea otters. Free shipping for many products! However, just because an otter is spotted on the coast does not mean its a sea otter. True seals use blubber deposits under their skin to keep themselves warm when theyre in the water, which is quite often. Sea otters commit to one another and raise one pup at a time. 2. The one exception to these rules is the Marine otter (Lontra felina) these otters are the only species of otter outside the Sea otter that reside in and around saltwater environments. Sea otters are bigger and thus have larger feet than river otters. Sea otters also have thicker fur, often with white markings, while river otters have sleeker fur to match their streamlined bodies. difference between sea otter and penguin. Most seal species are currently not considered endangered, according to the IUCN Red List. 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. They include; walrus, eared seals, sea lions, fur seals, and earless seals. Theyre found along coastal areas of the Pacific Ocean ranging from California to Russia, and spend a majority of their time swimming, eating, and sleeping in saltwater. All rights reserved. Conversely, river otters mate with multiple partners during the course of their lives. 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. Partially due to that, its believed to be the most endangered cetacean in the world, a category that includes whales, dolphins, and porpoises. The North American River Otter has an average lifespan of 13 years in the wild, but up to 25 years in captivity. Length of Lions Mane Jellyfish vs Blue Whale. North American River Otters weigh between 10 pounds to 25 pounds and grow up to 3 feet in length. In other species, post-hatching battles begin almost immediately. 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. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. They have short limbs with webbed feet. There is no animal that is made of rainbows and kisses and goodness all the way through. Penguin: There are a lot of different types of penguins, and climate change is affecting all of them. With 13 species around the world, you can find an otter species located on almost every continent! The identity of a pair of repeat offenders held a clue. Southern sea otters are considered an endangered species, while Asian small-clawed otters are vulnerable. Honor A Loved One's Milestone Or Memory With A Donation In Their Name. The sea otter is the largest member of the weasel family. Who will you choose? And amorous males of various species, including the noble lion, kill infants to make their mothers available for breeding again. We focus on how to be proactive in finding solutions. The sentiments about proper human behavior were impressed upon the penguins, and vice versa. Plus, their overall diets, lifespans, and locations differ from one another, not to mention how different they are in appearance! They include; weasels, badgers, wolverines, and polecats. While it may seem obvious at first, you may not know all of the differences between a river otter vs sea otter. Ribbon Seals have a maximum lifespan of about 30 years, but they likely live about 20 years. They are agile and flexible due to their four limbs and streamlined bodies. They are not very graceful on land because of their flippers, but they manage to move very well in the water. Your best bet for differentiating these animals is to look for their ears, flippers, tails, size, and fur. asia deep blue crete menu . 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. These carnivorous mammals inhabit fresh and saltwater rivers. River otters are smaller than sea otters in both length and weight. Sea otters have an average lifespan of 12-15 years in the wild while river otters live an average of 9-12 years. They are comparatively smaller in body size. 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. These two similarly named and look-alike animals are, in fact, very different. Sea Otter: We mentioned last time that sea otters are threatened by toxic algal blooms, which are exacerbated by climate change. 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! They are mostly solitary but come together in groups to mate. Habitat degradation due to development and accidental bycatch from shrimp and fishing vessels also endanger these charismatic creatures. The largest river otters weigh in at around thirty pounds. Theyre even known to wrap their babies in kelp to keep them safe and warm while theyre off hunting, and as the Marine Mammal Center describes, these pups end up bobbing up and down on the surface of the ocean like little corks! 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. A post shared by (@seaotter_03112602). 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. They have dense fur that enables them to keep warm. We think of otters as the cute little aquatic creatures who float on their backs and rub their cheeks in viral videos. Previously, Brian Switek has written about mammoth end-times, and how feathery, fluffy dinosaurs killed the brontosaurus. Otters mainly feed on invertebrates while seals mainly feed on fish. The salty crew of Deep Sea News has been trying to counteract the cuddly image of dolphins for years. They are comparatively larger in body size. 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. Although described as the smallest marine mammal this species is quite large as otters go, reaching as much as 80 lbs. When I first heard about the behavior from a marine biologist friend of mine, I didnt quite believe sea otters could be so diabolical. Ocean Conservancy is working with you to protect the ocean from todays greatest global challenges. Many of, Crocodiles are among the most terrifying animals of all time. The largest of the seal species, the southern elephant seal can grow up to almost 8,000 pounds and 20 feet long for adult males, while adult females are a bit smaller at 2000 pounds and 10 feet in length. They give birth on the land. Receive email updates to learn how you can help make a difference for the future of our ocean. Taxonomically speaking, river otters and sea otters are different genera. Still, these two mammals are very different from one another. Together, we create evidence-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it. 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. They are found in Eastern North and Northern Pacific Ocean. In addition, sea otters tend to live in small to large familial groups, but river otters, especially males, are more territorial, and while they will be social, they prefer solitary lives or in small family groups. These aquatic mammals split their time between the land and the water. Two out of those three species are now in decline. This is likely due to their respective sizes and predators in their environments, as sea otters grow much larger than river otters do. Your Generous Gift Will Help Us Continue To Protect Our Ocean And Its Wildlife. 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. Otters webbed paws are interesting because sea otters will hold hands with their partners, so they dont drift too far apart from their group. The gestation period for otters lasts between 60 to 86 days while the gestation period for seals lasts between 9 months to 12 months. They eat 15% of their body weight a day. This is especially problematic in Monterey Bay, where there are more male sea otters than females. Seals are larger than otters, weighing a lot more than them and growing much longer. Many people may not know this, but sea otters are much larger than river otters. Sea otters, conversely, are found only in salt water and rarely go on land. Another motherly difference is how these two creatures care for their young. We focus on how to be proactive in finding solutions. Southern sea otters are approximately four feet in length and weigh on average between 45-65 pounds. 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. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. While floating on their backs, sea otters not only nap, but also use rocks to help them . Finally, river otters can dive to around 60 feet deep, whereas sea otters, remarkably, can dive to several hundred feet to forage for food. River otters have a thick, lustrous coat that keeps them warm. nurse unit manager interview questions and answers australia. There are quite a few to discuss, as river otters and sea otters belong to different genuses of animal. 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. 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. 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. If you spot an otter in the Chesapeake Bay, its a river otter, whereas if you spot one in Monterey Bay (especially in the water), the chances are high that its a sea otter. The notion that sea otters fall in love and hold hands in the ocean so that they dont drift away from one another is a foreign concept to a river otter! 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. Wannabe mother primates may steal the baby of another and unintentionally starve that infant in a phenomenon called aunting to death. Dominant wild dogs may kill the offspring of subordinate members of the pack to make sure the alphas infants get the most food. Many creatures dwell in the water, and some of them are difficult to tell apart. 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. While sea otters and river otters share many differences, they do share a major similarity the threats they face in the wild. 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. Both are good swimmers but when we compare the two, the seals win because of their streamlined bodies and flippers that enable them to move in water fast. As 2022 comes to a close, I am reflecting on everything weve accomplished together on behalf, Climate change touches many aspects of our lives, including the food on our plates. Whats the Difference Between a Dolphin and Shark? There seems to be no crime too low for these penguins, he confided to his journal. 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. Their diet is composed of meat and protein such as fish, octopuses, lobsters, salmon, eel, mackerel, and squid. Their hind feet are webbed to aid in swimming, and their front toes are short and stiff. They are very different from other mammals that share the seals name or lineage. Otters are mammals in the Mustelidae family. The Mustelidae family is very unique and encompasses about 70 different species of animals including otters, wolverines, badgers, and more. Our work is focused on solving some of the greatest threats facing our ocean today. Darwin knew this well.