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. River otters are common and of "least concern" in California, but are threatened or endangered in some other states . This suggests that the otters must first satisfy their nutritional needs before engaging in playful behaviors. Yes, the phenomenon of otters holding hands is completely true. 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. For the record, I'm not actually against attempts to save sea otters as a species. Support our mission and help keep Vox free for all by making a financial contribution to Vox today. The charismatic otter, a member of the weasel family, is found on every continent except Australia and Antarctica. Even if that means keeping others pups as hostages. Unmasking the Dark Side of Otters: Surprising and Disturbing Facts With their furry faces and charming personalities, they have captured the hearts of many. Hairy-nosed otters are an endangered species found in Asia. 30 Of The Most Disturbing Things About Human Bodies That Might Freak Some researchers hypothesize that male sea otters may be mistaking the seal pups for female otters during mating season. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Stevens, Sadie S., and Thomas L. Serfass. Amazing Facts about Otters | OneKindPlanet Animal Education & Facts 241244. It is known as the common otter or northern river otter. Yes, youve read that right. People love otters. But few species are violent in quite as disturbing a way as the otter. 30 . In the downtime, though, otters love to play and will often build themselves slides along the banks of rivers. . In particular, it is well known that sea otters will, As a result, if you ever find yourself in proximity to an otter (river or sea), back off. UC Davis, 2019. To prevent these conflicts, it is important to avoid approaching them or their dens, particularly during breeding season when they may be more aggressive. In particular, it is well known that sea otters will force themselves on baby seals. His passion for wildlife stems from a childhood spent in the countryside, where he developed a deep fascination with the behaviors of wild animals. Sea otters are also among the most ravenous animals. Otters sometimes take up residence in abandoned beaver lodges or muskrat dens. Link, Russell. Male sea otters typically grasp the female from behind and bite her face, and this rough. But maybe the most disturbing fact about otters is that they are known to "mate" with deceased animals. Wisconsin River Otters During mating, male otters hold onto the female and bite her nose, sometimes even hard enough that blood starts gushing out and causes deep wounds. Only the North American river otter is a species of least concern. Interestingly, otters dont get sick when they have the flu. Here's what you need to know about these terrible animals, and why you should fear and hate them. 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. Their construction activities can lead to the erosion of riverbanks, the destruction of vegetation, and the alteration of water flow in the surrounding area. Pennsylvania Game Commission. 99 Creepy And Disturbing Facts That Will Scare You Source: 14 Fascinating, Super-Disturbing Facts About The Human Body. All. Otters have their cubs in underground dens called holts, which they dig themselves. Others believe that this behavior may be a result of human disturbances to sea otter populations, which can cause stress and impact their social behavior. Axolotls and capybaras are TikTok famousis that a problem? Seven Quick Facts About River Otters - National Forest Foundation Advertisement. Most of us could spend an entire day scrolling through cute otter videos on social media. Weve mentioned above that otters will try to mate not only with other otters but also with members of entirely different species, even if the other party is unwilling. The elusive otter is one of our top predators, feeding mainly on fish (particularly eels and salmonids), waterbirds, amphibians and crustaceans. European otters must eat 15% of their body weight each day, and sea otters 20 to 25%, depending on the temperature. They also force sex with other species. Find out if you are a sea otter specialist by checking your info against these fascinating sea otter facts. This mating behavior is typically driven by the males desire to maximize his chances of passing on his genes to future generations. Rape or, as biologists usually call it, "forced copulation" is a disturbing fact of life in the animal kingdom. For starters, male sea otters have been known to assault and even kill seal pups. This ancient religion considered otters to be the dogs of the river or sea and had strict rules forbidding the killing of otters. They get their needed water and sustenance from eating eucalyptus leaves. Some tribes consider the otter to be a lucky animal and a symbol of "loyalty and honesty." River otters are frequently mistaken for sea otters. Finally, the sea otter positioned itself dorsal to the pup's smaller body while grasping it by the head and holding it underwater in a position typical of mating sea otters. Stephens, Tim. If weve learned anything until this point, otters are eviler than they seem. Their furry coats, innocent eyes, and tiny paws make them adorable little creatures. Some cultures even forbid eating the creatures and were offended when colonial Europeans began hunting the river otters and selling their furs. Additionally, the disturbing behavior of mating with other species can impact conservation efforts and public perception of these animals, further highlighting the importance of understanding and addressing this behavior. Here's how biologists Heidi Pearson and Randall Davis describe it: A male approached a pup floating on the surface while its mother was diving for food. Otter Facts To Prove Otters Are Actually Huge Jerks As the sea otter thrust his pelvis, his penis was extruded and intromission was observed. Groenendijk, J., et al. A mother will often wrap the babies in kelp to keep them in one place while she hunts. Only one otter species seems to be thriving, and that's the North American River Otter. 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". 21 Disturbing Facts You Never Wanted To Know About Animals Google Pay. Otters have been known to guard and have sex with the bodies of their victims for up to seven days after they've died. 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. Among the endangered are the sea otters along the Californian to Alaskan coasts, which are threatened by "environmental pollutants and disease agents." Rock juggling doesn't improve hunting skills or efficient extraction of meat from shells. Excellent and lithe swimmers, the young are in the water by 10 weeks of age. Otters are often elusive, with large ranges and nocturnal behaviour making spotting them a rare and wonderful experience. Scientists suspect otters may even be able to determine the sex, age, and reproductive status of the spraint dropper just from a quick whiff. Forced sex. So that aspect of otter sexuality isn't too unusual. Otters have the densest fur of any animalas many as a million hairs per square inch in places. Unmasking the Dark Side of Otters: Surprising and Disturbing Facts, What Do Sea Grapes Taste Like? River Otter - Description, Habitat, Image, Diet, and Interesting Facts But now, scientists are using unmanned drones with cameras to get an aerial look at otters in their element, making it easier to monitor the creatures as they dive for food and go about their day. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Pteronura brasiliensis, 2015, doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2015-2.rlts.t18711a21938411.en, Aadrean, A., et al. "Asian Short-Clawed Otter." 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 also love to play. If a sea otter's fur becomes dirty, it has trouble absorbing the air needed to keep it warm. KQED. With their furry faces and charming personalities, they have captured the hearts of many. Powerful tails propel them through the water. Heres how paradise fought back. Regardless of the reasons behind this behavior, the impacts on the ecosystems are significant. Otters have bodies that are long and slim, and have short limbs. As a result, if you ever find yourself in proximity to an otter (river or sea), back off. Generally, a group of otters on land will go by a romp, while a group hanging in the water is called a raft. Thirteen otter species slide down riverbanks, juggle rocks, and float on their backs in watersheds on five continents. Being at the top of the food chain causes pollutants to become concentrated in their bodies, leading to illness and death. Support our mission and help keep Vox free for all by making a financial contribution to Vox today.

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