disturbing facts about otters

Since 1875 a study discovered that there have been 39 cases of anecdote attacks on humans announced in newspapers, and four recorded in scientific. A property owner or the owner's immediate family, employee, or tenant may kill or trap a river otter on that property if it is damaging crops or domestic animals (RCW 77.36.030). Can Frogs Feel Happy? Otters are adorable and cute creatures that love to play and swim together. Sliding Behavior in Nearctic River Otters: Locomotion or Play? In particular, it is well known that sea otters will force themselves on baby seals. River otters perform "scat dances" by stomping their hind feet and lifting their tail. That thick coat is needed because otters are the only marine mammal without a blubber layer for insulation. They eat mostly aquatic organisms such as frogs, fish, turtles, insects, and some small mammals. 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 enormousAmazon creatures if the need arises. These adorable aquatic mammals are clever, chatty, and oddly aromatic. Otters also excrete something called anal jelly that contains secretions from anal glands and shed intestinal linings. However, even within these communal groups, otters still exhibit territorial behavior and establish dominance hierarchies, highlighting the importance of resource control in their survival. And weve reached the most disturbing fact about these adorable creatures. The sea otter must consume between 25 and 40 percent of its body weight daily, just to keep warm. There they exchange information via chemical cues in feces. 29 . Generally the tail will make up about one third of the body. 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. Amazing Facts about Otters | OneKindPlanet Animal Education & Facts 18 Otter Facts From the Playful to Slightly Bizarre So instead, they dropped the pup in with the female otter, and she immediately went into mom mode. 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. 30 Of The Most Disturbing Things About Human Bodies That Might Freak The history of book bansand their changing targetsin the U.S. Theories for what's behind the drop range widely, but the US Fish and Wildlife Survey's recovery plan for the species highlights predation, in particular from killer whales, as the most important factor behind the decline. 11 Adorable Facts about Otters - Fact City There are around 13 extant species, out of which some of them are aquatic, semiaquatic, and marine, and their diet mainly consists of fish and invertebrates. Otters: the violent, necrophiliac, serial-killing fur monsters of the These furry creatures eat meat, such as fish, disproportionately higher rates of fatality. They have long, narrow bodies, with long tails and short legs. Thats why organizations like the Wildlife Conservation Society and other educators are raising awareness about otters and how threats like climate change, illegal hunting, pollution, commercial fishing, the over-development of coastal areas, and waterway runoff are impacting wild populations. "North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis): A Technical Conservation Assessment." Conservation efforts are in place to protect and preserve these species, but more is needed to ensure their long-term survival. Use permeable pavers and native plants in landscaping. Do Otters Have Webbed Feet? Otters have been known to guard and have sex with the bodies of their victims for up to seven days after they've died. Otters survive by hunting, and as such they live in unpolluted waters. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Creepiest Pokmon: The 10 most disturbing of all time Theyll keep baby otters underwater until females give them their food. STDs are at a shocking high. In . Strange as it may seem, mating is a relatively common cause of death for female sea otters as well. As this is a new development in biology, further research is needed to determine precisely how this species started to host the virus. They are skilled hunters and feed on a variety of prey, including fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. Their sleek bodies range in size from 2 to 5.9 feet. From blood-squirting lizards to deceivingly cute killer sea otters, there are plenty of creepy behaviours in the natural world, that far outdo the supernatural. They tuck prey into pockets of loose skin under their arms and use rocks as tools to open shellfish. They are skilled hunters, feeding on a variety of prey, including fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. explained by the vicious mating ritual. Please enter a valid email and try again. Are Otters Mean? The Pros And Cons Of Keeping An Otter As A Pet Male otters' mating techniques are violent. Ten Facts about Sea Otters | Blog Posts | WWF The kelp acts like an anchor and prevents them from floating out to the open ocean. Did you know that otters hold hands while sleeping to prevent drifting apart? They also force sex with other species. Otters guide: how to identify and species facts | BBC Wildlife Magazine Otters are part of the Mustelidae family, which is a family of carnivorous mammals that includes skunks, weasels, wolverines, and badgers. Many species of river and sea otters are . Fruit Fly Swarms Are Really Just Massive Orgies "River Otters Take Party Pooping to A New Level." Most females drown in this process. This ordinary woman hid Anne Frankand kept her story alive, This Persian marvel was lost for millennia. This air has the sometimes undesirable side effect of making them highly buoyant. Otters can dive as deep as 14m under the surface and spend 4-6 hours a day in water foraging. River otters are common and of "least concern" in California, but are threatened or endangered in some other states . That makes it about a thousand times more dense than human hair. They rape baby seals and hold each others pups hostage for food. KQED. Obviously, one report does not mean that all species members will do this, but its still worth noting. In water as warm as 10 C (50 F), an otter needs to catch 100 g (3.5 oz) of fish per hour to survive. The otters were examined in 2011 and none of the population showed any symptoms of the virus, but antibodies for the virus were discovered within 70 percent of 51 otters sampled. There are 13 species in total, ranging from the small-clawed otter to the giant otter. Support our mission and help keep Vox free for all by making a financial contribution to Vox today. An Otter can remain under water for up to 4 minutes. River otters are especially playful, gamboling on land and splashing into rivers and streams. Some tribes consider the otter to be a lucky animal and a symbol of "loyalty and honesty." Kerlin, Kat. 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. As otters build their dens, they can cause significant changes to their environment. They love to chow down! Average Life Span In The Wild: 8 to 9 years. Ocean Conservancy. While they hunt for food underwater, theyll often store a rock in the skin under their arms for later use. At six months, the pups are released back into the wild with generally strong results. Otters have big appetites to account for the great conditions they face. 28 . Otters have long been admired for their playful antics and endearing appearance. 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". Unfortunately, it gets worse. Bodkin, J.L. These conflicts are a sobering reminder of the brutality of the natural world and the lengths to which animals will go to protect their resources. This ancient religion considered otters to be the dogs of the river or sea and had strict rules forbidding the killing of otters. Wild Explained is the go-to source for all things related to wildlife. In both cases, the male was swimming, diving, guarding, and copulating with the carcass. Sea otters have an ingenious method to open shellfish. During which time otters have adapted to live both on land and in water. "The Fantastic Fur of Sea Otters." Carnivore. Sometimes river otters will travel between 10 and 18 miles (16 and 29 km) in search of food. In areas where otter populations are declining, conservationists may attempt to introduce new individuals to bolster the population. 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. Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. In the absence of females of their own kind, then, they turned their typical sexual responses toward the seals. Though most live in freshwater rivers, lakes, and wetlands, the sea otter and the smaller marine otter are found in the Pacific Ocean. Otters Will Resort to Acute Behaviors Just to Get Some Food, In the Amazon, Giant Otters are the Second Largest and Most Capable Predator, Giant otters average a weight of around 75 pounds but some have been noticed to be over six feet long. 30 . Introduction to Otters - BioExpedition That is, a male otter will bite the female's snout and place her head underwater - often drowning her or seriously injuring her in the process. Facts About Otters | Live Science As avid animal lovers, our goal is to use our knowledge and passion to deliver accurate and reliable information about various topics related to wild animals. 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. River otter | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife Without sea otters, the urchin population booms and destroys the kelp forest habitat. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Sea otter, dolphin, and penguin behavior: Your favorite animals are jerks. How do we reverse the trend? The overall effect isn't that large, but every bit helps, and otters deserve some credit for chipping in. Rock juggling doesn't improve hunting skills or efficient extraction of meat from shells. Mothers spend up to 14 hours per day foraging to support a pup's intense nutrition needs. "River Otter, Wildlife Note." Otters natural habitats are regularly disrupted or destroyed due to human activities, making it harder for them to survive. In 2010, veterinarian Heather Harris and her co-authors Stori Oates, Michelle Staedler, Tim Tinker, David Jessup, James Harvey, and Melissa Miller published an article in Aquatic Mammals documenting about 19 cases of sea otters attacking baby seals. Sea otters cannot swim at all for their first month, despite being born in the open sea. Two species . In 2014, the US Geological Survey (USGS) released a study of northern sea otters living close to Washington who were discovered to have possessed H1N1 virus (swine flu) throughout a large number of their population. Unfortunately the number of tea-trees is diminishing. With their furry faces and charming personalities, they have captured the hearts of many. That amount of calories is insane because that is three times what an average human needs. River Otter Sea otters murder even when it doesn't provide them with food or offspring, like straight-up sociopathic spree killers. Volunteer as an otter spotter or water monitor. This ancient religion considered otters to be the dogs of the river or sea and had strict rules forbidding the killing of otters. They can also close their small ears and nose when under water. Compared to river otters, sea otters have an average size of 39.6-49.3 in (100.5-125.2 cm), making both the animals similar in size. And since otters have superb metabolisms and can easily eat up to 15 percent of their body weight each day, there's a lot of spraint to go around. As a wildlife enthusiast with an insatiable curiosity for the natural world, Aleksandar is the man behind the scenes and, together with Kristina, has co-founded Wild Explained. Royal Society Open Science, vol. Spraint scents can vary, but often are (relatively) pleasantone expert described them as not "dissimilar to jasmine tea." How Stuff Works. Otters can hold their breath for 3-4 minutes, closing their nostrils and ears to keep out water. They also use body language and scent marking to communicate ownership and boundaries. 21 Disturbing Facts You Never Wanted To Know About Animals Forest Service, 2006. UC Santa Cruz, 2014. Yes, they live in intricate social structures, with a distinct hierarchy that dictates their interactions. When its time to nap, sea otters entangle themselves in kelp so they dont float away. Otters have webbed feet and claws - for swimming underwater. But few species are violent in quite as disturbing a way as the otter. Only the North American river otter is a species of least concern. Groenendijk, J., et al. Are Otters Dangerous? - AZ Animals Otters can be discovered inhabiting almost every continent on Earth and these imply otter facts are applicable to all 13 species, many of which are sadly endangered because of overhunting, pandemic viruses, and habitat destruction among certain populations of the otter. Otters will hold hands while they sleep and drift so that they don't separate! Among fluffy kittens and puppies with big eyes, one of Earth's most adorable animals is frequently said to be the cuddly small otter. Otter Animal Facts | Lutra Canadensis - AZ Animals In fact, females havedisproportionately higher rates of fatality explained by the vicious mating ritual. This provides everyone with easy access to information that they can use to become more informed on natural systems and conservation efforts. By submitting your email, you agree to our, The case against otters: necrophiliac, serial-killing fur monsters of the sea, The secret delegate battle that will decide the 2024 Republican nominee, The Dark Brandonmeme and why the Biden campaign has embraced it explained. Young pups are born helpless, and remain in the . 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. The two species found in North America are river otters and sea otters, the latter of which are also found in Japan and the Pacific coast of Russia. The Romans were notorious for gruesome execution methods. However, there are three species of otter that have blunt claws or none at all. Otter groups are called a family, bevy, lodge, or a romp. 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. I couldn't find any reports of attacks on humans from sea otters, but that may just be a function of sea otters being much rarer than river otters, and spending less time on or near dry land than river otters do. Although river otters are primarily responsible for these attacks (80%), sea otters can be just as dangerous incidents are more infrequent. "Living With Otters: River Otters." 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. 5 Disturbing Facts About Sea Otters: They're Not as Cuddly as They Seem Their fur is super dense. Each week, we explore unique solutions to some of the world's biggest problems. Indeed, trauma is the norm from sea otter mating, not the exception. 1. Sea otters don't just have the densest fur of all ottersthey have the densest fur of all animals. Please be respectful of copyright. In the Aborigine language, the word "koala" actually means no water. 2, 2005, pp. As explained by the National Wildlife Foundation's Robyn Carmichael, sea otters frequently eat sea urchins, which in turn are known for eating massive amounts of kelp, which is very good at taking in carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. For years, questions about sea otters' alleged propensity toward cross-species sexual violence have passed through Snopes' inbox. Even if you find them otherwise adorable, otters' mating habits will no doubt make your stomach turn. Sea otters are generally violent and aggressive when mating. Description of the River Otter. 30 Of The Weirdest And The Most Disturbing Facts From Known History Their diets are primarily carnivorous, but at times can be omnivorous (1). Researchers were not certain how the otters succeeded in getting the virus, but researchers theorize it may have dispersed to otter populations during the time of the H1N1 outbreak in 2009. They have visible ears, swim belly down, use webbed feet to paddle, and move swiftly on land and water. They also sleep wrapped in long strands of kelp like a blanket. Absolutely, many gentle mammals are carnivores including your pet cat! Instead, researchers learned, they are more likely to juggle rocks when hungry or bored. 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. Sea Otters Do Terrible Things To Baby Seals - The Awl 2023 NatureWorldNews.com All rights reserved. Prepare to see these furry creatures in a whole new light. She is the author of "The Ethiopian Wolf: Hope at the Edge of Extinction. As the sea otter thrust his pelvis, his penis was extruded and intromission was observed. 2. They also sometimes intertwine their feet with another sea otter, so that they stay together. There are two layers of furan undercoat and then longer hairs that we can see. But don't be deceived by the holding of hands and cheek rubbing sighted in photos used for posters, memes, and throw pillows, otters are still wild animals and can be harmful. Five Fast Facts about Otters My Green World Sea Otters Eat 25 Percent of Their Body Weight Every Day. According to the Smithsonian, these mammals are the world's newest carriers of H1N1, the flu strain that lead to a human pandemic back in 2009. For example, the United States has The Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 which protects the from any type of hunting or trapping. As the sea otter thrust his pelvis, his penis was extruded and intromission was observed. 1 The only places without endemic otters are Australia and Antarctica. The behavior doesn't stop when the seals die from the trauma. Find out if you are a sea otter specialist by checking your info against these fascinating sea otter facts. I've discovered it improves your ability to focus, it's more calming, you retain more information, and it gives you a more balanced and nuanced view of the world." #16. A version of this story originally ran in 2015. North American River Otter | National Geographic They mark their territory with scent glands located near their tails, communicating ownership and boundaries to other otters. Young and old otters most often juggle rocks. Otters have a communal latrine area.

A Eurasian river otter mother relaxes with with her two seven-month-old cubs on a shoreline in Shetland, U.K.

, The little-known history of the Florida panther. Their furry coats, innocent eyes, and tiny paws make them adorable little creatures. Its thought to get its special odor, which some scientists describe as smelling like violets, from the seafood diet otters eat. They get their needed water and sustenance from eating eucalyptus leaves. Creepy Facts About Animals That Will Keep You Up At Night No permit is necessary; however . Concealed beneath those button noses and fluffy fur lies a creature with some really frightening mating habits. Some otters even die after intercourse from trauma. Meanest Animals in the World (Disturbing Facts) - UrduFOX Being at the top of the food chain causes pollutants to become concentrated in their bodies, leading to illness and death. Otter "holts" are small underground dens where otters escape danger, take shelter, or raise their young. 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. 42 Horrifying Human Body Facts We Wish We Never Learned Pennsylvania Game Commission. For example, the introduction of non-native otters to a region can lead to a decline in local fish populations, causing an imbalance in the food chain. As with all wildlife, it is essential to strike a balance between admiration and respect, acknowledging the complexities of the natural world and the creatures that inhabit it. It's been reported in primates like orangutans and chimpanzees, bottlenose. 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. Skip to the end to watch the video. One studyfound that kelp beds where sea otters are present soak up 12 times as much carbon dioxide as beds where they're not. Additionally, some fish species may prey on their younglings. As we delve deeper into their behavior and life in the wild, you may be surprised to learn that these seemingly adorable animals have a darker side. As natural predators of fish, they can consume significant quantities of fish, causing a decline in available stocks and potentially leading to economic losses for local fishing communities. Perhaps the worst (alleged) method was called scaphism, in which a person was force-fed, and covered in, milk and honey, put in a swamp,. Unauthorized use is prohibited. These power struggles can lead to violent confrontations, further demonstrating the darker aspects of otter society. Here's what you need to know about these terrible animals, and why you should fear and hate them. 12, no. 6 Meanest Animals in the World (Disturbing Facts) They learn to swim when they are about two months old, when their mother pushes them into the water. For the record, I'm not actually against attempts to save sea otters as a species.

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