When they are a raft all of the sea otters hold hands to prevent themselves from floating adrift from each other. River otters exhibit a variety of vocalizations, ranging from whistles and buzzes to twitters, staccato chuckles, chirps and growls. Their resting spots are called a hover or a couch, which are usually little more than a bed of reeds. They are also known to eat whatever is easiest to find, like crustaceans, mollusks, insects, birds, oysters, shellfish, crabs, crayfish, frogs, rodents, turtles and aquatic invertebrates.". There are actually 13 different species of otter found around the world. Sea otters will often float in groups (called rafts) whilst they eat, rest and sleep. They are occasionally seen with a clam, mussel or a rock that they have taken from the sea. Here's everything you need to know before you visit. These otters are frequently observed playing and sliding together. 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 are constructed by other animals and can be under a log or in the river bank. Any contaminants that enter their food web become more concentrated with each step, resulting in the highest concentration at the top. Not only does Bryan share his knowledge and experience with our readers, but he also serves as owner, editor, and publisher of North American Mammals. The den is usually dug into the bank of a stream but can be an old beaver's lodge, muskrat house or hollow tree. Otters can hold their breath for 3-4 minutes at a time while they swim, and can swim at speeds of 6.8 miles per hour. Sea otters are diurnal. But for the time being, why not bake in the cute and adorable glory that these fluffy little creatures bring to the worlds oceans, before clicking on the next link to totally destroy their cuteness forever. It had been raining when I went for a walk in the nearby forest and I couldn't help but notice how many puddles there were and how alive they were. According to the IUCN, 12 of the 13 otter species are listed as vulnerable, threatened or endangered and are experiencing population declines. They use the kelp as an anchor so they can sleep without any fear of floating out to the open ocean. You can see this behavior in the video below, courtesy of YouTube. River otters sleep specifically on land while the sea otter sleeps in the water. We have 15 interesting facts (and yes, ridiculously cute photos) about otters that will keep you fascinated! We see videos and photos of otters all the time, so it can be hard to remember that these species are under many severe threats. Another reason why otters hold hands is for protection against drifting too far from their source of food. Now that’s a lot of fur! They spend a significant portion of the day scent marking territory by urinating, defecating, scratching and rubbing their scent glands on rocks and trees. What makes the sea otter able to sleep in water? She is the author of The Ethiopian Wolf: Hope at the Edge of Extinction. Sea otters live and sleep in the water, rarely getting out onto dry land.eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'northamericannature_com-leader-2','ezslot_9',111,'0','0'])); The parents hold hands while sleeping with their pup so as they don’t drift away from each other. Wes Craven's Inspiration For Freddy Krueger Was A Homeless Man And Real Events! Adults generally give birth to between one and three pups, which are blind and helpless when born. Benjamin Buchanan, Education Manager for Wild Life Sydney Zoo, told ninemsn this one is true, but that otters don't do it all the time. Sea otters don't just have the densest fur of all otters — they have the densest fur of all animals! We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. They first learn to swim after about two months. They also introduce air into the fur by blowing air directly into their coat. If you or someone you know loves otters check out some of my favorite otter gifts on Amazon.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'northamericannature_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_1',106,'0','0'])); You may have seen photos of otters, or even seen otters in the wild holding hands. Otters are known to hold hands in groups - called a raft - while they eat, sleep and rest, to prevent families losing each other. River otters generally live alone or in small social groups. A raft of otters can range from just 2 otters up to hundreds of them. Only around 86 or so hairy-nosed otters are thought to still live in southeast Asia. By becoming a member, you'll help the Zoo save species and get great benefits for you and your family each time you visit! There are four common species of birch that can be found in North America and all create a habitat in and around them that is used by many different types of wildlife such as insects, small mammals,... Hi, I’m Bryan, the one on the right. Young are born between April and May and arrive silky black, blind, toothless and totally helpless. There are many reasons to love sea otters, other than how furry and adorable they inherently are. When threatened or frightened, they emit a hair-raising scream that can be heard up to 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) across the water. Male northern fur seals are up to six times larger than females. The other reason they hold hands is as a way of protecting themselves from predators and hunters. Without the sea otters, urchin populations boom and kelp disappears — and along with the kelp goes a myriad of other species that depend on the kelp forests. This entails cleaning the fur, untangling knots, removing any loose hair, rubbing the coat to squeeze out any excess water. (That's a Good Sign.). Otters can sleep on land and in the water. These range from the tiny Asian small-clawed otter which is only 2-3 feet in length, to the giant otter which can reach 5-5.5 feet in length. Only extended conservation efforts protecting the species and, importantly, large stretches of riparian habitat, can keep the giant otter from disappearing.

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