disturbing facts about otters

In Brazil's Pantanal, we get the rare opportunity to film a family of rare and elusive giant otters. For example, they may harbor bacteria responsible for leptospirosis, a disease that can cause severe illness in both animals and humans. 194-201., doi:10.1016/B978-012374473-9.00434-3. Charismatic otters are the largest members of the weasel family. The act sometimes involves the male grabbing the female's head underwater and as the two turns and wriggle under the surface. A group of otters in the water is most often called a raft. Even mothers, though, have their dark sides. Most species hunt for three to five hours each day and nursing mothers up to eight hours each day. Undisputedly, otters are one of nature's wonders that are particularly friendly-looking and cute, even having their charismatic gestures capable of stimulating dopamine hormone in the human body. From their aggressive behavior to their complex social structures and potential impacts on ecosystems, these fascinating creatures demonstrate that the natural world is full of surprises, both delightful and disturbing. This high demand leaves otter mothers depleted, and many die from minor illnesses. Royal Society Open Science, vol. 10 Facts about River Otters | Facts of World Though most live in freshwater rivers, lakes, and wetlands, the sea otter and the smaller marine otter are found in the Pacific Ocean. They have long, narrow bodies, with long tails and short legs. Otters can be found living on almost every continent on Earth and these mean otter facts apply to all 13 species, many of which are unfortunately endangered due to over hunting, habitat destruction, and pandemic viruses among certain otter populations. All otters have webbed feet to help propel them through the water, and most species . This rediscovery, after presumed extinction, makes them a Lazarus species. Four Incredible Facts About Sea Otters The playful North American river otter is equally at home in the water and on land. Scientists suspect otters may even be able to determine the sex, age, and reproductive status of the spraint dropper just from a quick whiff. But maybe the most disturbing fact about otters is that they are known to "mate" with deceased animals. Otters have the densest fur of any animalas many as a million hairs per square inch in places. Sliding Behavior in Nearctic River Otters: Locomotion or Play? Clean fluffy fur keeps them warm and traps air, which allows them to float. Otter "holts" are small underground dens where otters escape danger, take shelter, or raise their young. Harris cites another study that finds that about 11 percent of sea otters found dead on the California coast from 1998 to 2001 were killed, at least in part, by trauma associated with mating. Otters can dive as deep as 14m under the surface and spend 4-6 hours a day in water foraging. Mothers spend up to 14 hours per day foraging to support a pup's intense nutrition needs. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Pteronura brasiliensis, 2015, doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2015-2.rlts.t18711a21938411.en, Aadrean, A., et al. There has been an incident where an otter had tried to mate with a dog and killed it in the process. Fun Otter Facts For Kids | Kidadl Otters are adorable and cute creatures that love to play and swim together. 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. Description of the River Otter. Most females drown in this process. Sea otters have an ingenious method to open shellfish. Otters have a good sense of smell, and one of the more interesting otter facts is that they actually are capable of smelling things underwater. Some researchers hypothesize that male sea otters may be mistaking the seal pups for female otters during mating season. River otters as a whole look quite similar to weasels. Researchers found that playful sliding on a riverbank was not just efficient locomotion, but play. 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. You keep hoping that. Otter groups are called a family, bevy, lodge, or a romp. The layers manage to trap air next to the otter's skin, which keeps the otters dry and warm and also helps with buoyancy. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Hairy-nosed Otter, 2015, doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2015-2.rlts.t12421a21936999.en. Like many animals, otters sometimes behave in ways that aren't exactly within the bounds of what humans would consider morally acceptable. Every animal on Earth (including humans) has learned to adapt to its environment, which means sometimes having to make difficult (or gross) choices to survive. Otters and their mustelid relatives were once hunted extensively for their fur, many to the point of near extinction. The species' recovery has been considerably slower in California relative to other areas. More otters -> fewer sea urchins -> more kelp -> less global warming. March 28, 2023 by Wilson Singleton. No, they are wild animals and should not be kept as pets. Threats also include habitat degradation, pesticides, and pollution from mining. Heres how paradise fought back. Bodkin, J.L. Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, 2020. They are the Asian small-clawed otter, African clawless otter, and Congo clawless otter. Giant otters average a weight of around 75 pounds but some have been noticed to be over six feet long. "Hairy-nosed Otter." Meet the world's newest H1N1 flu carrier: the sea otter Additionally, providing a variety of educational materials such as brochures that link otters to topics like freshwater ecosystems or climate change can have a powerful impact on how people understand conservation issues. They were considered extinct until 1998 when a scientist in Thailand found small populations. They also sometimes intertwine their feet with another sea otter, so that they stay together. Male sea otters have been known to engage in sexual aggression toward baby seals, an act that can result in severe injuries and even the death of the seal. They also force sex with other species. 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. In the downtime, though, otters love to play and will often build themselves slides along the banks of rivers. Prepare to see these furry creatures in a whole new light. For centuries, fisherman have been training otters to act as herders and chase large schools of fish into the nets. Otters have their cubs in underground dens called holts, which they dig themselves. Link, Russell. As the world becomes more and more polluted otter populations become more and more at risk. 6 Meanest Animals in the World (Disturbing Facts) This frog will kill you with a single touch. 21 Disturbing Facts You Never Wanted To Know About Animals By Mark Hand September 8, 2017 Nature can be beautiful, but sometimes if you take a moment to scratch just below the surface what you'll find might disgust you. They then leave droppings called spraints, which refer to a single bowel evacuation and that researchers describe as smelling like violets. They live mainly on land that is very close to bodies of water. Otters can have up to one million hairs per square inch. However, there are three species of otter that have blunt claws or none at all. What we didnt mention, though, is thatotters can infect humans with the H1N1 virus. In such cases, medical attention is necessary to prevent infection and ensure proper wound healing. The sea otter is the largest member of the weasel family, yet the smallest marine mammal in North America. The history of book bansand their changing targetsin the U.S. Otters use their dungknown as spraintto communicate with other otters. Fruit Fly Swarms Are Really Just Massive Orgies Generally the tail will make up about one third of the body. Yeah, that's right. Young and old otters most often juggle rocks. "How to Tell the Difference Between Sea Otters and River Otters." Swimming ability is further enhanced in most species by four webbed feet. The charismatic otter, a member of the weasel family, is found on every continent except Australia and Antarctica. This air has the sometimes undesirable side effect of making them highly buoyant. Otters have some interesting relatives. Creating activities such as beach cleanups or nature walks where there might be an opportunity for an encounter with this species can help pique peoples interest in helping protect their habitat from further degradation. Giant River Otters Live Up to Their Name, 6. Advertisement. Lutrinae contains seven genuses and 12 different species, spanning every continent save Australia and Antarctica; a 13th species, the Japanese river otter, was declared extinct in 2012, like many otter species before it. Oops. Theyll keep baby otters underwater until females give them their food. Giant river otters hunt in a group of nine and hunt together, and also store food, giving them the nickname "lobos de ro" or "river wolves". Community outreach can also be an invaluable resource when it comes to engaging people around meaningful conversation efforts for threatened species like otters. Here are 13 strange and terrifying facts about animals that'll send a shiver down your spine. All otters are expert hunters that eat fish, crustaceans, and other critters. They do it all on their own, with no help from the fathers. Otter Facts To Prove Otters Are Actually Huge Jerks Despite their innocent appearance, these animals are known for doing pretty disturbing stuff. Although they do drink some water, koalas aren't highly dependent on this resource. 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 enormous, Giant river otters hunt in a group of nine and hunt together, and also store food, giving them the nickname "lobos de ro" or ", Smart Animals: Sea Otters Used Tools Even Before Dolphins and Humans Did, Study Says, Giant Otters Used to Be Fearsome Hunters in Ancient China, Severe Thunderstorms, Tornadoes, Large Hail Threaten 15 Million Residents in Texas, Antarctica During Dinosaur Era Ravaged by Frequent Forest Fires [Study], Air Pollution Kills 1200 Children Yearly, European Study Says, $20k Reward Money Up For Finding Boat Operator Who Drove Over California Sea Lions in the Columbia River, Virtual Reality Reduces the Use of Sedatives During Surgery. One sea otter off the coast of British Columbia apparently raped and murdered a dog. Interestingly, male otters have also been observed engaging in polygamous behavior, mating with multiple females during the breeding season. - Diving into the Science! They move clumsily on land, paddle with their hind feet and tail, and are significantly bigger than most river otters, with some males weighing as much as 100 pounds. 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. Once thought to be gone from the area completely, southern sea ottersknown as California sea ottershave been making a comeback in recent years. 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. So that aspect of otter sexuality isn't too unusual. That's right, the adorable mammals have been known to exhibit necrophilia, even with members of different species, such as baby seals. These otters seem to love peat swamp forests, especially those with Melaleuca, the swamp tea-tree. Otter groups go by a few different monikers, all of which are fairly unique to that crew. As otters build their dens, they can cause significant changes to their environment. 15 Fascinating Facts About Otters Does eating close to bedtime make you gain weight? While the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species classifies otters as vulnerable, they are considered endangered in some areas due to habitat destruction, hunting, and pollution. Otters survive by hunting, and as such they live in unpolluted waters. The presence of a healthy otter population indicates a healthy watershed. Sometimes river otters will travel between 10 and 18 miles (16 and 29 km) in search of food. Here's just one: A weaned harbor seal pup was resting onshore when an untagged male sea otter approached it, grasped it with its teeth and forepaws, bit it on the nose, and flipped it over. otter, (subfamily Lutrinae), any of 13 species of semiaquatic mammals that belong to the weasel family (Mustelidae) and are noted for their playful behaviour. Tags North American River Otter | National Geographic Prey shortages are very damaging due to high caloric needs. Sea otters, by contrast, nearly went extinct due to aggressive pelt hunting in the early part of the 20th century. Male otters have developed a bad habit of humping and fatally wounding baby seals in their desperation to mate, sometimes continuing to have sex with the seals up to a week after killing them.. They are also nocturnal and hunt at night. Of the 13 species of otter, IUCN lists five as endangered, five as near-threatened, and two as vulnerable. Experts estimate that fewer than 8,000 exist. However, if these individuals exhibit aggressive mating behavior, it can lead to harm or even death of the existing population and further threaten the species survival. This mating behavior is typically driven by the males desire to maximize his chances of passing on his genes to future generations. Google Pay. Resting spots, called hovers or couches, are usually little more than a bed of reeds. A Eurasian river otter mother relaxes with with her two seven-month-old cubs on a shoreline in Shetland, U.K. Sea Otters as Keystone Species | A World Unseen: the diversity of life 42 Horrifying Human Body Facts We Wish We Never Learned Additionally, they can host parasites such as lungworms, which can infect domestic dogs and lead to respiratory issues. Otters: the violent, necrophiliac, serial-killing fur monsters of the They mark their territory with scent glands located near their tails, communicating ownership and boundaries to other otters. Here are 13 weird or interesting facts about koalas to make you love them even more. In both cases, the male was swimming, diving, guarding, and copulating with the carcass. Only the North American River Otter has been classified as having a stable population . For one thing, sea otters murder other animals even when they don't get food out of it, just for fun or something. This combination allows them to have greater nimbleness when foraging. This provides everyone with easy access to information that they can use to become more informed on natural systems and conservation efforts. Take a mental break with the newest Vox crossword, Sign up for the Langley, Liz. Scientists Pinpoint Parasite Strain, Weird and Fascinating Ways Animals Use Poop, River Otters Take Party Pooping to A New Level, A Keystone Species, The Sea Otter, Colonizes Glacier Bay, Energy Demands of Raising a Pup Push Sea Otter Moms to the Limit. They hold each others's hands. Also Read:Smart Animals: Sea Otters Used Tools Even Before Dolphins and Humans Did, Study Says. Wisconsin River Otters 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. But the last 40 years haven't consisted of unerring progress for the sea otter. 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. With their furry faces and charming personalities, they have captured the hearts of many. As a result, if you ever find yourself in proximity to an otter (river or sea), back off. Who buys lion bones? Did you know that otters hold hands while sleeping to prevent drifting apart? Unlike other weasels, otters are semi-aquatic. While otters appear to be friendly and docile, they can become extremely aggressive when defending their territory or their younglings. They juggle rocks. Only the North American river otter is a species of least concern. Otters, facts and information Do Otters Have Webbed Feet? They live in intricate social structures, with a distinct hierarchy that dictates their interactions. In some cases, otters may consume invasive species that are harmful to the ecosystem, potentially benefiting the fishing industry in the long run. No permit is necessary; however . Fish and Wildlife Service and is currently in place to promote recovery efforts across all states in the United States. Yes, they have natural predators such as large birds of prey, alligators, and crocodiles. In addition, several international conventions and protocols have been developed over time to help protect these creatures from extinction. His articles have been mentioned by Wikipedia, USA Today, and HuffPost, among others. They provide full-time care for their babies for six to eight months, until the babies can survive independently. "Living With Otters: River Otters." Lets end this on a somewhat less disturbing note! Yes, as they build their dens, they can cause significant changes to their environment. As natural predators of fish, otters can consume significant quantities of fish, causing a decline in available stocks and potential economic losses for local communities. Interestingly, otters dont get sick when they have the flu. Are Otters Mean? The Pros And Cons Of Keeping An Otter As A Pet Sea otters are generally violent and aggressive when mating. Female otters have a disproportionately higher mortality rate than males, and experts attribute this to their gruesome mating ritual. Email: [emailprotected]. They love to chow down! In 2014, a study of giant otters found that the river-dwellers have 22 distinct noises they make for different situations. 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. Otters guide: how to identify and species facts | BBC Wildlife Magazine Male otters' mating techniques are violent. Learn 15 more facts about these fascinating mammals. Dolphins Otters also have particularly stinky poop, which even has its own name: spraints. Sea Otter Savvy. Otters will hold hands while they sleep and drift so that they don't separate! Here's Harris again: Copulation normally occurs in the water where the male sea otter will approach the female from behind, grip her around the chest with his forepaws, and grasp her nose or the side of her face with his teeth.Facial biting by the male commonly results in the development of skin and soft tissue lacerations of the female's nose and face that can occasionally be fatal.The problem is worse for females, of course, but younger males often mimic mating behavior with each other, which can cause similar injuries. Obviously, one report does not mean that all species members will do this, but its still worth noting.

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