disturbing facts about otters

River otters are nocturnal hunters. Dolphins So that aspect of otter sexuality isn't too unusual. They like to slide off. The Surprising Emotional Life of Frogs, The Ultimate Guide to Sea Urchin Taste: What to Expect and, The Mysterious Nose Scars of Female Sea Otters: Exploring. Unmasking the Dark Side of Otters: Surprising and Disturbing Facts. "12 Facts About Sea Otters for Sea Otter Awareness Week." Or a family or a raft. 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. 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. Generally the tail will make up about one third of the body. They also love to play. Approximately that brutal. 2023 NatureWorldNews.com All rights reserved. While the governments of the US, Canada, Japan, and Russia signed a treaty banning the hunting of sea otters, it took the Endangered Species Act under which sea otters gained protection in 1977 for a recovery to begin in earnest. The presence of a healthy otter population indicates a healthy watershed. River otters have many interesting qualities and adaptations that make them wonderful entertainment. Despite regulations designed to protect them, many species remain at risk from pollution and habitat loss. 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. Some otters even die after intercourse from trauma. Otters - in particular, the sea variety - need to consume huge amounts of food to keep active. It isnt surprising, given that they need to eat around 15% of their body weight daily to survive. In this article, well uncover the lesser-known, disturbing truths about otters, exploring their aggressive tendencies, complex social structures, and the impact they have on their ecosystems. Otters can hold their breath for 3-4 minutes, closing their nostrils and ears to keep out water. It may be tempting to try and pet the cute and. I just think otters are jerks. Just like when they mate, otters bite the baby seal and hold it down with their sharp claws, causing injuries and death in most cases. "Energy Demands of Raising a Pup Push Sea Otter Moms to the Limit." They're merciless hellspawn who use their intellects for great evil. However, the most jarring fact about that is that they dont care whether the animal is alive or not. While these modifications are essential for otter survival, they can have negative consequences for other species that rely on the same habitat. "Sea Otter Society: The Single Moms' Club." Most are small, with short ears and noses, elongated bodies, long tails, and. This behavior has been documented in various locations, including the Aleutian Islands and California. Furthermore, they have been observed engaging in territorial disputes over prime foraging spots, often resulting in violent confrontations. The transmission of these diseases and parasites from them to other animals or humans is a significant concern for conservation and public health officials. The sea otter is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List, pressured by pollution, pesticides, and conflicts with fishermen who kill them for eating their fish. Support our mission and help keep Vox free for all by making a financial contribution to Vox today. Hand-holding keeps the otters from drifting away from each other and their food source while they sleep. They use their front paws with a dexterity that nearly rivals humans. Did you know that otters hold hands while sleeping to prevent drifting apart? They provide full-time care for their babies for six to eight months, until the babies can survive independently. For centuries, fisherman have been training otters to act as herders and chase large schools of fish into the nets. They Aren't All Sea Otters. Source: 14 Fascinating, Super-Disturbing Facts About The Human Body. How do otters stay warm? Though most live in freshwater rivers, lakes, and wetlands, the sea otter and the smaller marine otter are found in the Pacific Ocean. People love otters. 9. otters can infect humans with the H1N1 virus. Absolutely, many gentle mammals are carnivores including your pet cat! This pace is three times faster than the average human swimmer. Carnivore. The charismatic otter, a member of the weasel family, is found on every continent except Australia and Antarctica. A Eurasian river otter mother relaxes with with her two seven-month-old cubs on a shoreline in Shetland, U.K. No permit is necessary; however . 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. By understanding the less endearing aspects of otter behavior, we can better appreciate the full spectrum of their existence and develop more effective conservation strategies. In this post, well talk about why otters are evil and why they arent the cuddlers they appear to be. Those efforts are admirable and valuable to the ecosystems of which otters are a part. They are carnivores with a diet that includes a wide range of marine animals. Among fluffy kittens and puppies with big eyes, one of Earth's most adorable animals is frequently said to be the cuddly small otter. Yes, youve read that right. Only one otter species seems to be thriving, and that's the North American River Otter. When food is hard to obtain, sea otter mothers will abandon their young and leave them to starve to death. 12, no. 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. The layers manage to trap air next to the otter's skin, which keeps the otters dry and warm and also helps with buoyancy. They get their needed water and sustenance from eating eucalyptus leaves. Scientists Pinpoint Parasite Strain." In Brazil's Pantanal, we get the rare opportunity to film a family of rare and elusive giant otters. Their construction activities can lead to the erosion of riverbanks, the destruction of vegetation, and the alteration of water flow in the surrounding area. 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. Sea Otters Have the World's Thickest Fur, 20 Bizarre and Beautiful Starfish Species, 10 US Ecosystems Saved by Endangered Species, 12 Facts About Sea Otters for Sea Otter Awareness Week, How to Tell the Difference Between Sea Otters and River Otters, Whats Killing Sea Otters? Weight: 11 to 30 pounds. Otter groups are called a family, bevy, lodge, or a romp. A river otter has a long, stream-lined body, short legs, and webbed feet. Koalas don't drink water. Interestingly, they have been known to engage in communal living, particularly in areas with abundant food sources. However, even within these communal groups, otters still exhibit territorial behavior and establish dominance hierarchies, highlighting the importance of resource control in their survival. Something went wrong. Predatory behavior towards non-prey species can lead to imbalances in the food chain and can cause unintended consequences for other species in the ecosystem. When its time to nap, sea otters entangle themselves in kelp so they dont float away. The male of this species tends to be larger than the females. Furthermore, their presence in an ecosystem can indicate a healthy and balanced environment, which can have positive implications for fishing and other industries. 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. That amount of calories is insane because that is three times what an average human needs. Some tribes consider the otter to be a lucky animal and a symbol of "loyalty and honesty." They are also nocturnal and hunt at night. They love to chow down! It makes its home in a burrow near the water's edge, and can thrive in river, lake, swamp, or estuary ecosystems. Baby ones raised in captivity squeak when introduced to water for the first time. Otters also have particularly stinky poop, which even has its own name: spraints. When a pup is small, the mother will hold it on her belly to keep it from floating away. 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. All otters are expert hunters that eat fish, crustaceans, and other critters. With his curiosity, experience, and love for the natural world, Aleksandar brings a unique perspective to his writing. You bet they do! For example, otters have been known to kill and eat kittens, and they have also been known to attack and kill humans. It shouldnt be surprising to learn that otters will force themselves on other animals. In Alaska's Aleutian Islands, the species has seen a marked decline since the 1980s. 5 Otter Facts. Advertisement. 6. In 2001, a female otter at the Monterey Bay Aquarium gave birth to a stillborn pup on the same day a stranded pup was discovered in the wild nearby. They also take over the riverbank dens of foxes, badgers, and rabbits. The fight to make it harder for landlords to evict their tenants, On Succession, Sisyphus rolls the rock uphill, Ecuadors political instability, explained, In Sudan, the US government finally begins evacuating its citizens. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Theyll keep baby otters underwater until females give them their food. Otters have a communal latrine area. An Otter can remain under water for up to 4 minutes. 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. 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. What we didnt mention, though, is thatotters can infect humans with the H1N1 virus. 2. . Bodkin, J.L. 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. 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. Life becomes very difficult for female otters when nurturing young pups. Here are four essential facts about sea otters: They're the largest member of the weasel family Mustelidae, a family of fur-bearing mammals that includes everything from weasels to honey. A male river otter, by comparison, would not exceed 30 pounds. 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. Zoroastrians would also hold ceremonies for otters found dead in the wild. Most injuries caused by them are minor, consisting of bites and scratches that can lead to infections. 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. Fine, fine, I'll give them this much: they appear to be helpful in the fight against catastrophic climate change. Curious to learn more? As a result, if you ever find yourself in proximity to an otter (river or sea), back off. Concealed beneath those button noses and fluffy fur lies a creature with some really frightening mating habits. Most of us could spend an entire day scrolling through cute otter videos on social media. Young and old otters most often juggle rocks. 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.. And I guess I get the appeal. 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. Otters are adorable and cute creatures that love to play and swim together. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Otters are mammals of the subfamily Lutrinae, one of two subfamilies contained within the family Mustelidae. Wisconsin River Otter Name: River Otters Scientific Name: Lutra canadensis Measurements: length: 2-4ft, weight: 44-82lbs, tail length: 1-1.5ft Habitat: anywhere near water A 2011 study found 39 anecdotal reports of river otter attacks in North America, 35 of which occurred after 1980. Groenendijk, J., et al. Being at the top of the food chain causes pollutants to become concentrated in their bodies, leading to illness and death. And weve reached the most disturbing fact about these adorable creatures. Despite spending most of their time in the water, otters cant breathe underwater; as mammals, they need air. Here are 13 weird or interesting facts about koalas to make you love them even more. When faced with a threat, they wont hesitate to use their powerful teeth and strong jaws to inflict serious injury. 12 Cool Animals That Crawl (Crawl Speed & Pictures), What Eats Leopards (Top 5 Leopard Predators), Are Lions Smart? Their furry coats, innocent eyes, and tiny paws make them adorable little creatures. Otters are part of the Mustelidae family, which is a family of carnivorous mammals that includes skunks, weasels, wolverines, and badgers. STDs are at a shocking high. 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. Komala - Generation VII. The golden poison dart frog (Phyllobates . 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. The aquarium staff had previously tried raising pups themselves but found that hand-raised otters became too attached to humans to be released back into the wild. It depends. Occasionally an otter must grab on to a rock or some kelp to remain submerged while swimming. All rights reserved, as many as a million hairs per square inch, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. At 105 min into the encounter, the sea otter released the pup, now dead, and began grooming.You read that correctly. Take a mental break with the newest Vox crossword, Sign up for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Hairy-nosed Otter, 2015, doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2015-2.rlts.t12421a21936999.en. 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. Diving into the Science! Hairy-Nosed Otters Are a Lazarus Species, 9. This cooperative behavior allows multiple individuals to share a territory and work together to maximize their chances of survival. Few animals play as adults, and otters are one of them. 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 are highly active creatures, and their meat-based diet gives them energy for all sorts of mischief. Otters have their cubs in underground dens called holts, which they dig themselves. In such cases, medical attention is necessary to prevent infection and ensure proper wound healing. Otters impact on fisheries is a contentious issue that has led to tensions between conservationists and fishing communities. Baby otters usually are called pups. Charismatic otters are the largest members of the weasel family. Each week, we explore unique solutions to some of the world's biggest problems. In the absence of females of their own kind, then, they turned their typical sexual responses toward the seals. People also call it North American river otter. Even if that means keeping others pups as hostages. Despite their innocent appearance, these animals are known for doing pretty disturbing stuff. Additionally, if an otter approaches, it is important to maintain a safe distance and avoid feeding or interacting with the animal. Langley, Liz. Here's what you need to know about these terrible animals, and why you should fear and hate them. This ancient religion considered otters to be the dogs of the river or sea and had strict rules forbidding the killing of otters. Theres no doubt that otters are cute animals. They hunt for food both in the water such as fish and then also land creatures including small reptiles. This suggests that the otters must first satisfy their nutritional needs before engaging in playful behaviors. 1. Swimming ability is further enhanced in most species by four webbed feet. In addition to their unexpected ferocity when defending their territory, they also exhibit unique territorial behavior. The forceful mating practices of otters also have implications for conservation efforts. To prevent injuries caused by otters, it is important to avoid approaching them or their dens, particularly during breeding season when they may be more aggressive. However, it is important to note that otters impact on fisheries is not always negative. His passion for wildlife stems from a childhood spent in the countryside, where he developed a deep fascination with the behaviors of wild animals. In areas where otter populations are declining, conservationists may attempt to introduce new individuals to bolster the population. If you thought that otters, like beavers, eat a plant-based diet, you are mistaken. They do it all on their own, with no help from the fathers. The similarities between otters and . Otter "holts" are small underground dens where otters escape danger, take shelter, or raise their young. On average, river species can live up to 8-9 years in the wild, while sea species can live up to 10-15 years. Found in cat feces, it enters waterways through runoff and flushable cat litter. River otters are frequently mistaken for sea otters. 241244. 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. Creepy and evil otters will forcefully copulate with a corpse. There is no conclusive evidence as to why they do this. Although they may be adorable and hold hands while traveling, dont forget how distressing and evil otters are. 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 latter is the most common term for a group of otters on land. On top of that, pups have 11 of their own calls that they intersperse with "infant babbling." Otters sometimes rape baby seals. A decent share of the attacking otters have been rabid; in the '90s, 46 percent of otter attacks involved rabies, and in the '00s, 24 percent did. Rape or, as biologists usually call it, "forced copulation" is a disturbing fact of life in the animal kingdom. Are female otters the only species that males try to copulate with? Otters have long been admired for their playful antics and endearing appearance. During which time otters have adapted to live both on land and in water. They also sometimes intertwine their feet with another sea otter, so that they stay together. Depending on how hungry they are and how much they have access to food, otters arent too picky with their meals! Source: Scientific Reasons for B.S Things Our Bodies Do. In fact, females havedisproportionately higher rates of fatality explained by the vicious mating ritual. They eat 9 pounds of food each day. That thick coat is needed because otters are the only marine mammal without a blubber layer for insulation. However, this behavior can also result in conflicts with rival males and female otters, further highlighting the complexities of otter social structures. Keeping an eye on otters in the wild is a tricky task. The species' recovery has been considerably slower in California relative to other areas. Legend has it they save human lives on occasion: But there comes a point at which rational people have to put adorable hijinks aside and recognize otters for what they are: disease-ridden, murderous, necrophilic aqua-weasels whose treachery knows few bounds. Yes, they can act as carriers for various parasites and pathogens, some of which can potentially infect other animals or even humans. 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. They learn to swim when they are about two months old, when their mother pushes them into the water. Prey shortages are very damaging due to high caloric needs. Females maintain the den and give birth to an average of two to three pups every year. In many places, it is illegal to keep them as pets due to their protected status and potential danger to humans. Some cultures even forbid eating the creatures and were offended when colonial Europeans began hunting the river otters and selling their furs. Poaching for their velvet-like fur caused significant population declines. Their small heads widen to long necks and shoulders, and they have flattened, well-muscled tails. 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 reach swim speeds of up to 7 miles per hour. Allison, Mari-Lisa, et al. Ten months later, this same male was observed with the carcass of another female sea otter. 15 Fascinating Facts About Otters. That's right, the adorable mammals have been known to exhibit necrophilia, even with members of different species, such as baby seals. Oh, sure they do. Rock juggling doesn't improve hunting skills or efficient extraction of meat from shells. Pennsylvania Game Commission. Sea otters live exclusively in the ocean along coastlines. Do Otters Have Webbed Feet? More otters -> fewer sea urchins -> more kelp -> less global warming. Obviously, one report does not mean that all species members will do this, but its still worth noting. For one thing, sea otters murder other animals even when they don't get food out of it, just for fun or something. There they exchange information via chemical cues in feces. Sea Otters ( Enhydra lutris) are primarily found along the coasts of the Pacific Ocean in North America and British Columbia. Sea otters, by contrast, nearly went extinct due to aggressive pelt hunting in the early part of the 20th century. Namely, they are extremely aggressive when they mate. Otters (genus Lutra) hail from the subfamily of Lutrinae and are carnivorous mammals. Otters won't act naturally with humans nearby, and using a telescope on a boat can get tricky in the rollicking ocean. This means you cant distinguish between healthy and infected otters, making them even more dangerous. This behavior can result in severe injuries to the female otter and can even lead to death in extreme cases. Sliding Behavior in Nearctic River Otters: Locomotion or Play? Most otter species come ashore to give birth in dens, which sometimes have been used by other animals such as beavers. It is known as the common otter or northern river otter. A version of this story originally ran in 2015. - Diving into the Science! "River Otters Take Party Pooping to A New Level." While this may seem like a cooperative and selfless act, it can also involve more sinister elements. But few species are violent in quite as disturbing a way as the otter. Baby otters, called pups or kittens, stay with their mothers until theyre up to a year old, or until she has another litter. The history of book bansand their changing targetsin the U.S. UC Davis, 2019. Conservation efforts are in place to protect and preserve these species, but more is needed to ensure their long-term survival. Otters can dive as deep as 14m under the surface and spend 4-6 hours a day in water foraging. Can Frogs Feel Happy? They have webbed feet and the ability to close their nose and ears underwater.Twelve out of thirteen otter species are in decline. This frog will kill you with a single touch. Because of their high metabolic rates, as was already mentioned, these creatures require a lot of food and will use whatever methods are needed to get it. They can act as carriers of various parasites and pathogens, highlighting the potential risks associated with close interactions between humans and wildlife. Otters have bodies that are long and slim, and have short limbs. Nope, they are horrific menaces to other species. Interestingly, male otters have also been observed engaging in polygamous behavior, mating with multiple females during the breeding season. Over the course of a rough winter, he meticulously documented many species, and while some have since gone extinct (like a sea-cow he described that was hunted into extinction), the adorable otter was among his initial discoveries. They are generally not aggressive towards humans, but they may attack if they feel threatened or cornered, particularly if they are protecting their young or territory. "Living With Otters: River Otters." UC Santa Cruz, 2014. March 28, 2023 by Wilson Singleton. If your brainstem (the part of the brain that mediates most motor control for all of the body) is damaged, you can get "locked-in" syndrome. This ordinary woman hid Anne Frankand kept her story alive, This Persian marvel was lost for millennia. The barbs on each hair strand hold in place the air bubbles that the otters blow into their pelts while groomingwhich they can spend up to five hours doing each day.
Lakeside Amusement Park, Salem, Va Death, Is The Episcopal Church Still Suspended, Articles D